I guess I'm supposed to do this?

[twentyleagues]

Short or taller aquascape? Which is better?

Is that a Kessil 500 on there?

Sry see you replied with that it is a 500 technically before I was actually able to post my question. Im at work so I get interrupted a lot . lol

 

[Red_Beard]

Ya, for mixed go the shorter one, if you let stuff grow all the way to the top it makes flow difficult to maintain.

 

[Airedale Reef]

I prefer the look of the shorter scape, and that undulation in the sand on the left side is really nice!

 

[cba191]

I prefer the look of the shorter scape, and that undulation in the sand on the left side is really nice!

I want a goby/shrimp combo so that will probably change

 

[Airedale Reef]

I want a goby/shrimp combo so that will probably change

A change for the better! That Goby/Shrimp relationship is some of the best in the hobby! They will definitely enjoy the thick sand bed!

 

[cba191]

How do you know if you have the drain and return pump set up right?

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

I need a dwarf angel and a shrimp/goby combo. And a reef aquarium need a pair of clown.

Clowns are hardy- maybe find a pair.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

How do you know if you have the drain and return pump set up right?

if the water is draining into the sump and the sump water level is steady on the sump. Do you have an ATO? If not get one RIGHT NOW

 

[cba191]

How do you know if you have the drain and return pump set up right?

if the water is draining into the sump and the sump water level is steady on the sump. Do you have an ATO? If not get one RIGHT NOW

Lol. It came with one. I'm shocked at how fast it evaporates.

 

[cba191]

I am such a dork.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I just started and have no clue what I'm doing. I've wanted a reef tank since i was a kid.
Just started my cycle today.

when ammonia rises then falls and holds a steady reading of Zero for at least 5 days and also nitrate rises and falls and holds at 20 or below- you are cycled.
Did you add ammonia chloride or something to increase ammonia initially ?

 

[cba191]

I just started and have no clue what I'm doing. I've wanted a reef tank since i was a kid.
Just started my cycle today.

when ammonia rises then falls and holds a steady reading of Zero for at least 5 days and also nitrate rises and falls and holds at 20 or below- you are cycled.
Did you add ammonia chloride or something to increase ammonia initially ?

The dr tim ammonium chloride.

 

[TheNative192]

The dr tim ammonium chloride.

For Fish:

I always recommend a pair of clowns to start. They have some awesome colors, are pretty much always tank bred so they are extremely hardy. There are a lot of options like Wrasses, Goby (Need a lid for sure lol), Cardinal Fish, Dottybacks (can be aggressive, orchids have many positive reviews tho), or firefisd (also definitely need a lid). I would actually always recommend a lid as all fish can jump out of the tank and it may help with some evaporation. I got my lid from Kracken (which is pricey) although I have heard many positive reviews. You may be able to do some DIY with some mesh too. Just be careful about covering it entirely with Glass as you can cook the fish, don't DIY glass lids lol.

For Corals:

Honestly the key is not too rush it. I honestly would start with some soft corals since they do not rely on managing the parameters as much for alkalinity, magnesium, & calcium. LPS and SPS corals like Hammers, Torches have skeletons and they are expensive and can die if parameters shift too much. Before trying those I would recommend a Duncan coral as they are less expensive and similar difficulty. Do you have test kits to check these parameters (API can be not too reliable as well like Ammonia always showing 0.25). If you get a LPS or SPS you will have to keep up with regular water changes and possibly (likely) even dosing. That is not to say its a bad thing but I honestly recommend sticking to soft corals for at least a month (if not more) to kind of get the hang of it and some of them even look better than the hard corals in my opinion (lol) Learn how to test for alkalinity, magnesium, & calcium. Do you also have a refractometer for measuring salinity? It is very disheartening and expensive to spend $200 and the coral shrivels up and dies quickly because of a small thing you missed which you likely will learn in the first month of doing tests (weekly etc).

It sounds like you light the long flowy look so I would recommend Neon Green Hairy Mushroom. They don't have as long as tentacles but they do have that kind of flow and are a soft coral. Very Hardy

Another very easy one (but definitely needs to be isolated on an island or on a back wall) Is Green star polyp. Now some people may say to avoid this but it honestly looks awesome on a back wall and is rather difficult to kill. It also is a great indicator coral to tell if the parameters are off in the tank. I have some on an Island and on the back wall of my tank and it looks awesome.

Another great one (although it will likely need to be isolated) is pulsing xenia. If you like active corals with a lot of movement these guys are great. They do grow like weeds (like GSP) so definitely want them on an island or to just keep them in check but if you google them pulsing its really mesmerizing. (DEFINITELY GOOGLE A VIDEO as the photo does them no justice lol)

The last big one is Zoas, they are much more tame then the other two but they grow quickly are pretty much any color you want and are hardy. You can also create a Zoa garden and mix and match them! Example:

 

[cba191]

The dr tim ammonium chloride.

For Fish:

I always recommend a pair of clowns to start. They have some awesome colors, are pretty much always tank bred so they are extremely hardy. There are a lot of options like Wrasses, Goby (Need a lid for sure lol), Cardinal Fish, Dottybacks (can be aggressive, orchids have many positive reviews tho), or firefisd (also definitely need a lid). I would actually always recommend a lid as all fish can jump out of the tank and it may help with some evaporation. I got my lid from Kracken (which is pricey) although I have heard many positive reviews. You may be able to do some DIY with some mesh too. Just be careful about covering it entirely with Glass as you can cook the fish, don't DIY glass lids lol.

For Corals:

Honestly the key is not too rush it. I honestly would start with some soft corals since they do not rely on managing the parameters as much for alkalinity, magnesium, & calcium. LPS and SPS corals like Hammers, Torches have skeletons and they are expensive and can die if parameters shift too much. Before trying those I would recommend a Duncan coral as they are less expensive and similar difficulty. Do you have test kits to check these parameters (API can be not too reliable as well like Ammonia always showing 0.25). If you get a LPS or SPS you will have to keep up with regular water changes and possibly (likely) even dosing. That is not to say its a bad thing but I honestly recommend sticking to soft corals for at least a month (if not more) to kind of get the hang of it and some of them even look better than the hard corals in my opinion (lol) Learn how to test for alkalinity, magnesium, & calcium. Do you also have a refractometer for measuring salinity? It is very disheartening and expensive to spend $200 and the coral shrivels up and dies quickly because of a small thing you missed which you likely will learn in the first month of doing tests (weekly etc).

It sounds like you light the long flowy look so I would recommend Neon Green Hairy Mushroom. They don't have as long as tentacles but they do have that kind of flow and are a soft coral. Very Hardy

Another very easy one (but definitely needs to be isolated on an island or on a back wall) Is Green star polyp. Now some people may say to avoid this but it honestly looks awesome on a back wall and is rather difficult to kill. It also is a great indicator coral to tell if the parameters are off in the tank. I have some on an Island and on the back wall of my tank and it looks awesome.

Another great one (although it will likely need to be isolated) is pulsing xenia. If you like active corals with a lot of movement these guys are great. They do grow like weeds (like GSP) so definitely want them on an island or to just keep them in check but if you google them pulsing its really mesmerizing. (DEFINITELY GOOGLE A VIDEO as the photo does them no justice lol)

The last big one is Zoas, they are much more tame then the other two but they grow quickly are pretty much any color you want and are hardy. You can also create a Zoa garden and mix and match them! Example:

I did order a lid. So that has been taken care of.

 

[cba191]

I probably should have mentioned that this is my first tank ever. It's an AquaForest OG275 that i picked up used. It came with a Kessil A500x, a reef octopus essence 130, a Varios 6 return pump, 2 nero 3 powerheads, an inkbird with 2 150w eheim heaters, and an osmolator.
I doubt it was a great deal, but i think it was good.
Based on what i read in here, i did replace the drain plumbing.

 

[Oldsman]

Nice start, you'll soon be filling it w coral and livestock

 

[TheNative192]

I probably should have mentioned that this is my first tank ever. It's an AquaForest OG275 that i picked up used. It came with a Kessil A500x, a reef octopus essence 130, a Varios 6 return pump, 2 nero 3 powerheads, an inkbird with 2 150w eheim heaters, and an osmolator.
I doubt it was a great deal, but i think it was good.
Based on what i read in here, i did replace the drain plumbing.

Are you using API test kits and do you have tests for the reef elements like Alk, phosphates, calcium, etc. People say to avoid API test kits and they are right if you’re working with more difficult corals LPS and SPS but fine for just cycling. Josh fish stores even use them.

If you are using API just know the Ammonia may get stuck as 0.25 as they can be unreliable to measure below that level.

Also not sure where you are located at but you may be able to find some corals on Facebook marketplace by searching fake aquarium decorations or other places from other reefers for a good deal. I would 100% recommend sticking to soft corals though as those parameters for skeletal issues are not as impactful.

Excited to see your progress too

 

[cba191]

I have salifert for ammonia, api for nitrite, and hannah for nitrate alk, cal, and phos

 

[Dom]

I just started and have no clue what I'm doing. I've wanted a reef tank since i was a kid.
Just started my cycle today.

There is an expression in this hobby; "nothing good happens fast".

Don't rush the process. It appears that you've used live rock in your tank, if this is true, the bacteria on the rock will immediately begin processing ammonia.

While this method accelerates the process, I would still recommend that you go slow to avoid catastrophes.

I would stick with a basic fish, something along the line of Clownfish or Damsels. They are hearty fish and very forgiving of beginner mistakes.

Avoid Anemones and corals for a minimum of 6 months, a year would be better.

 

[BeanAnimal]

My recommendation is add some easy soft corals first. Like finger leather, green star polyps, hardy mushrooms or zooanthids.

To the OP: I wouldn’t add any of those corals unless a soft coral tank is what you think you want to have — forever. Those are literally the most invasive corals there are. They are easy because they grow like weeds — but like weeds are a scourge when you decide that you don’t want them.

So before adding anything, decide what type of coral reef it is that want to keep. Spend your time researching corals first, not regretting choices later.