Hello from Pittsburgh

AcRomero412 · Dec 21, 2025

Freenow54 said:
How are you going to cycle it ? Just so I don't bushwhack you I did Fishless . Just need Pure Ammonia and starter bacteria

Fishless for sure. I'm using clean new Marco rock, Ocean direct live reef sand. Still deciding if I just buy some ammonia/bacteria or drop some frozen shrimps in that I have in my freezer right now. I only have filter socks as far as filtration goes to start, so I also want to get the Chaeto rolling in my sump asap. I'm debating getting some Maricultured Marco rock to seed the tank and maybe getting some filter media or sand/rock from the LFS's around here to seed the tank with as many organisms as I can. I'm on the fence about this even though its probably the way to go, there's a very high chance I contaminate the tank with some parasite/nuisance/diseases or something a long those lines... but that's part of the game I suppose. I dont mind if the cycle takes a long time, it gives me more time to plan my lighting situation. I was also planning on getting all my fish from places like tsmaquatics or marinecollectors so i wouldn't have to quarantine things myself, even if it costs more I think its worth it. Might still get a canister filter and a 40g breeder just in case though.

DarthRaiderBob · Dec 21, 2025

AcRomero412 said:
Fishless for sure. I'm using clean new Marco rock, Ocean direct live reef sand. Still deciding if I just buy some ammonia/bacteria or drop some frozen shrimps in that I have in my freezer right now. I only have filter socks as far as filtration goes to start, so I also want to get the Chaeto rolling in my sump asap. I'm debating getting some Maricultured Marco rock to seed the tank and maybe getting some filter media or sand/rock from the LFS's around here to seed the tank with as many organisms as I can. I'm on the fence about this even though its probably the way to go, there's a very high chance I contaminate the tank with some parasite/nuisance/diseases or something a long those lines... but that's part of the game I suppose. I dont mind if the cycle takes a long time, it gives me more time to plan my lighting situation. I was also planning on getting all my fish from places like tsmaquatics or marinecollectors so i wouldn't have to quarantine things myself, even if it costs more I think its worth it. Might still get a canister filter and a 40g breeder just in case though.

I'm not sure if extreme tropical pets quarantined but I know The Reef Gallery in zelienople has put in a quarantine system recently.

AcRomero412 · Dec 21, 2025

DarthRaiderBob said:
I'm not sure if extreme tropical pets quarantined but I know The Reef Gallery in zelienople has put in a quarantine system recently.

I haven't gone to any of the LFS yet, I sent Elmer's (the closest to me) an email about helping me move my aquarium up into my apartment which they said they didn't have the man power for, and then I reached out to Aquatic Systems Consultants and they are going to be helping me with the move. The aquarium itself is almost 400 pounds. I also really want to go to the Reef gallery, they seem like the place to go for salt water stuff. I haven't heard of Extreme Tropical Pets though il have to look into it. But its going to be a couple months probably before I can add fish anyways.

Freenow54 · Dec 21, 2025

AcRomero412 said:
Fishless for sure. I'm using clean new Marco rock, Ocean direct live reef sand. Still deciding if I just buy some ammonia/bacteria or drop some frozen shrimps in that I have in my freezer right now. I only have filter socks as far as filtration goes to start, so I also want to get the Chaeto rolling in my sump asap. I'm debating getting some Maricultured Marco rock to seed the tank and maybe getting some filter media or sand/rock from the LFS's around here to seed the tank with as many organisms as I can. I'm on the fence about this even though its probably the way to go, there's a very high chance I contaminate the tank with some parasite/nuisance/diseases or something a long those lines... but that's part of the game I suppose. I dont mind if the cycle takes a long time, it gives me more time to plan my lighting situation. I was also planning on getting all my fish from places like tsmaquatics or marinecollectors so i wouldn't have to quarantine things myself, even if it costs more I think its worth it. Might still get a canister filter and a 40g breeder just in case though.

Not to preach but to date no Parasites Ick anything. No idea why but like I said Just ammonia. I found an article I followed of the internet no one put their name to it. Just an offer I could post it for you . If not no worries As to substrate pick it carefully . I wanted and got a diamond sand sifting Goby , I think they might be fussy on the size of the sand / stone ,I just bought crushed Coral off amazon , which a lot of people swear by. Paul B being one . I am going to start a new tank soon but I had to fix my ATV and have to pay off that first . I run a Canister on my 100 with a sump really like it for adding media. As to organisms which I think you are talking about Inverts . I wish I had added my snails sooner. I have dozens of bristle worms and they all eat either algae or left over food . My cycle took a long time and I do believe in taking my time , as well as doing major things one at a time. That way if things go sideways I am not guessing as much . I intend to make an Algae scrubber . You should read some of the articles on the site there are some real experts here . If you ever run into a real issue just do a post with # reef squad with your issue and they will come out of the woodwork. I like your Idea about the fish . I suck at doing Quarantine ( one of the articles I did not know about ) My fish guy is super careful and wont sell me anything until hes sure. I bought 7 fish from him all at once and just acclimated them . They are all great . There is a guy Paul B that tells you what to look for in a fish . Basic but more info the better. One guy suggested to get a Canister Filter and just have rock in it. Would be great for growing Pods . Anyway lots of more knowledgeable people than me around so have fun and start a Tank Thread and post your Progress

BonnieB · Dec 21, 2025

Welcome to our R2R family!

DarthRaiderBob · Dec 21, 2025

AcRomero412 said:
I haven't gone to any of the LFS yet, I sent Elmer's (the closest to me) an email about helping me move my aquarium up into my apartment which they said they didn't have the man power for, and then I reached out to Aquatic Systems Consultants and they are going to be helping me with the move. The aquarium itself is almost 400 pounds. I also really want to go to the Reef gallery, they seem like the place to go for salt water stuff. I haven't heard of Extreme Tropical Pets though il have to look into it. But its going to be a couple months probably before I can add fish anyways.

They are in Youngstown. Great people. Reef Gallery is really good as well.

AcRomero412 · Dec 21, 2025

Freenow54 said:
Not to preach but to date no Parasites Ick anything. No idea why but like I said Just ammonia. I found an article I followed of the internet no one put their name to it. Just an offer I could post it for you . If not no worries As to substrate pick it carefully . I wanted and got a diamond sand sifting Goby , I think they might be fussy on the size of the sand / stone ,I just bought crushed Coral off amazon , which a lot of people swear by. Paul B being one . I am going to start a new tank soon but I had to fix my ATV and have to pay off that first . I run a Canister on my 100 with a sump really like it for adding media. As to organisms which I think you are talking about Inverts . I wish I had added my snails sooner. I have dozens of bristle worms and they all eat either algae or left over food . My cycle took a long time and I do believe in taking my time , as well as doing major things one at a time. That way if things go sideways I am not guessing as much . I intend to make an Algae scrubber . You should read some of the articles on the site there are some real experts here . If you ever run into a real issue just do a post with # reef squad with your issue and they will come out of the woodwork. I like your Idea about the fish . I suck at doing Quarantine ( one of the articles I did not know about ) My fish guy is super careful and wont sell me anything until hes sure. I bought 7 fish from him all at once and just acclimated them . They are all great . There is a guy Paul B that tells you what to look for in a fish . Basic but more info the better. One guy suggested to get a Canister Filter and just have rock in it. Would be great for growing Pods . Anyway lots of more knowledgeable people than me around so have fun and start a Tank Thread and post your Progress

Yea you can definitely post it for me. Like I said iv been obsessed, most last week was listening to stuff about fish diseases and quarantine strategies etc. I think I'm going to start off with Macro algae and MAYBE some softies in the main display just so it doesn't look so empty and il start with the snails/crabs probably leading into my gobies ( i also want a sand sifter) I want a couple clowns, pistol shrimp/goby, flame hawk (they just so goofy) cleaner shrimp, some wrasses. And eventually a tang gang and id like to get a big anthias or chromis school after I get some birds nests growing for them to hide in down the road. But I will only add a few things each month. Something I would really like but am a little worried about adding is a snowflake eel. My uncle (who is not a aquarium guy but bought a house in Naples with a nice in wall aquarium) had one and it was fine living with all the fish but he stopped hiring someone to take care of the tank and sold all the livestock after a while. And that is something I think I want to branch off into, aquarium maintenance and custom building long term. I just feel i still have much to learn before I take that up and it would have to be a part time gig at first. Il post pics of his aquarium in a moment, its REALLY cool , even though the coral is all fake.