I finally popped my salt cherry... Sort of...

[Jim Harrison]

I purchased an IM Nuvo Fusion 20. Mixed some salt water and put it in. Next up: sand and live rock.

I realize I should have waited until I had my sand and rock in before I loaded up with salt water, but my LFS suggested I just mix it in the tank since it was empty. Meh.

I've got a basket on order (will pick another one up soon (stupidity on my part)) as it seems most people have clogging issues with them. I'm planning on running filter floss and chemipure blue elite on one side, and for now just filter floss on the other side.

Stocking list (after all is stable):
Goby (undecided what kind)
Blenny (undecided what kind)
Frogspawn
Hammer
Shrimp (I'd like to pair up a goby and shrimp, but fear the tank might not be big enough?)
CUC (obviously)
Maybe a starfish?

Thoughts?

 

[sebastiaan1985]

Congrats on the new tank and starting your first reef!

Mixing your salt in the empty tank is not a problem, you just remove some when you add the rock and sand. If you are going with life rock, I would wait with the sand. If you add them at the same time, some of the debris of the rock will cause pollution in the sand.

With regards to your stocking, I would skip the starfish. I had one in a 40 gallon and would not add one again.

Good luck with the build and one last tip; enjoy it and make lots of pictures! Always fun to look back at your progression.

 

[Michael Cronmiller]

Welcome and congrats...be patient and go slow..best advice that was given to me....but you came to the best place for info and help.... cheers[emoji482][emoji482]

 

[Jim Harrison]

Congrats on the new tank and starting your first reef!

Mixing your salt in the empty tank is not a problem, you just remove some when you add the rock and sand. If you are going with life rock, I would wait with the sand. If you add them at the same time, some of the debris of the rock will cause pollution in the sand.

With regards to your stocking, I would skip the starfish. I had one in a 40 gallon and would not add one again.

Good luck with the build and one last tip; enjoy it and make lots of pictures! Always fun to look back at your progression.

I've done my best to read up all my little brain could hold from these forums. I'm super excited - and cautious. I'll put the rock in and then the sand, then. Still need to pick up a powerhead. I'll put the rock in, let it run a while to pick up sediments and the like and then put in the sand. Thanks for the advice!

Welcome and congrats...be patient and go slow..best advice that was given to me....but you came to the best place for info and help.... cheers[emoji482][emoji482]

Thank you! Also exceptionally sound advice! I love these forums.

As soon as I get rock and sand in, I'll update this thread and make it my build thread.