Hi - Christmas gift - and oh so new to a saltwater aquarium from Ashville, AL

[FloridaTechHopeful]

Welcome! Looks like you are hitting the ground running. Is she trying to go to FIT? Just curious.

Yes! We visited recently and loved the school. So many good things about it. I'm praying it works out

 

[Preyou]

Yes! We visited recently and loved the school. So many good things about it. I'm praying it works out

Good luck! It is a great school. Not far from where I live. I have a bunch of friends that went to FIT.

 

[TnFishwater98]

My 11th grade daughter aspires to be a Marine Biologist. For Christmas I've gotten her a Fluval Evo 5 gallon. So far, so good I've loaded the live sand, live rock, ocean water from what looks like a big wine box! I put in a heater and got it cycling. The water is clear and here was the test today: PH 8.0 Ammonia between 5.0 to 1.0 ppm, Nitrite 0 ppm and Nitrate 10 ppm. I ordered a thermometer and saline tester today.
My daughter has always loved tiny things. I am hoping to add one or two Asterina starfish, some easy to grow soft coral and a tiny invertebrate, (not necessarily in that order.) I failed to order a calcium and phosphate test... I guess I will handle next. Heck, I've already learned so much trying to set this tank up... I may or may not let her take it away to college! LOL Looking forward to reading your post.

Welcome to Da Reef!

 

[Just John]

Glad you're here!

 

[Jimbhoy13]

Welcome to R2R and the salty world. Let your daughter take the tank and you can treat yourself to a bigger one Lots of knowledgeable and helpful people here who will support and advise you when needed.

 

[Jeffcb]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!!

 

[atomos]

 

[Kiwi reefer]

Welcome to R2R

 

[Fish Think Pink]

My 11th grade daughter aspires to be a Marine Biologist. For Christmas I've gotten her a Fluval Evo 5 gallon. So far, so good I've loaded the live sand, live rock, ocean water from what looks like a big wine box! I put in a heater and got it cycling. The water is clear and here was the test today: PH 8.0 Ammonia between 5.0 to 1.0 ppm, Nitrite 0 ppm and Nitrate 10 ppm. I ordered a thermometer and saline tester today.
My daughter has always loved tiny things. I am hoping to add one or two Asterina starfish, some easy to grow soft coral and a tiny invertebrate, (not necessarily in that order.) I failed to order a calcium and phosphate test... I guess I will handle next. Heck, I've already learned so much trying to set this tank up... I may or may not let her take it away to college! LOL Looking forward to reading your post.

Welcome! Glad you joined. Its a great family hobby - if she does take it off to college maybe you get a 'twin' tank so its like she's still at home with you and gives you even more to talk about when you catch up on her future life.

Have you considered starting your build thread? I found its a great place to document my tank's evolution for myself. I started tank first then joined, so I'm still finding myself going back collecting pictures & updating historically as well as current state. Once you create your first post in your thread and link it to your account, they will give you build badge (look left, under my ID)

This is a good reference book type online article I still review:

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

This article was sponsored by @MarineDepot at www.marinedepot.com. Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is no...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[attiland]

My 11th grade daughter aspires to be a Marine Biologist. For Christmas I've gotten her a Fluval Evo 5 gallon. So far, so good I've loaded the live sand, live rock, ocean water from what looks like a big wine box! I put in a heater and got it cycling. The water is clear and here was the test today: PH 8.0 Ammonia between 5.0 to 1.0 ppm, Nitrite 0 ppm and Nitrate 10 ppm. I ordered a thermometer and saline tester today.
My daughter has always loved tiny things. I am hoping to add one or two Asterina starfish, some easy to grow soft coral and a tiny invertebrate, (not necessarily in that order.) I failed to order a calcium and phosphate test... I guess I will handle next. Heck, I've already learned so much trying to set this tank up... I may or may not let her take it away to college! LOL Looking forward to reading your post.

Welcome to R2R