Major Newbi

[Nemo5]

Hello all , Today is my start up here ! I know very little on saltwater Tanks and I’m learning as I go along !! I have a long way to go , However last Saturday 1/5/19 we bought a 36 gallon bow front and already feel like I’ve dropped a good bit of money per my budget . I have 25lbs of live sand and roughly 20lbs of live rock , I bought a Seachem Tidal 55 running a 3 stage filtration mechanical sponge like , premium activated chemical carbon bag then the bio matrix ! I also recently bought a Seaclone 100 which is more likely going back , I’m personally not digging it but may give it some time ! Now with all good usually there is a bad . My tank consist of conditioned Tap water , please don’t be harsh on me I’m super new ! I live an hr away from the nearest saltwater store and can’t do RO/DI water now ! So I’m on day 4 of my cycle and I hope all is going well just waiting for a diatom bloom if it happens and for the cycle to through . My plan is to do fish /reef tank time will only tell ! There does seem to be a lot of successful Tap Tanks in the hobby for years on end ! Anywho I’ll try to post a picture here now and see what I come up with I’m happy to be here and look to learn a lot from what sounds like a lot of great people !!!! P.S I’ve also threw in a shrimp day two with it in there ! I have done a test too just for a baseline I get ph. 8.3 roughly Ammonia is tough for me to read cause it’s a cloudy milky like , ( I’ll post a pic of it too , cause I may need some guidance ) Nitrite 0 ppm and Nitrate 0 ppm ! Any guidance is appreciated! Thank you !

 

[Retro Reefer]

Welcome! Looks like your off to a good start..

 

[Crabs McJones]

Welcome to R2R

#WelcometoR2R
Other than the water it sounds like you're off to a good start

 

[James M]

Welcome to reef2reef !!
Don't hesiate to ask questions, also Ive had experience with that skimmer and you should take it back. The stock pump didn't last long.
You can have a successful reef tank without a protein skimmer.

 

[PDR]

Welcome to R2R!!!

If you really can't spring for an RO/DI unit, I would highly recommend you at least get distilled water from your grocery store for water changes and top off. It will save you a lot of headaches.

 

[AngryMike2016]

Hi Major Newbie, I'm Sargent Newbie!

 

[Billldg]

Welcome to R2R!!! Don't worry, we will never be harsh. We all started out the same as you and understand the learning curve as we all are still learning. I would recommend getting a better test kit so its easier to read. I would recommend the Red Sea marine test kit, it gives you everything you need for a new tank, and its easier to read IMO. Good Luck on the new tank!!!

 

[redfishbluefish]

Welcome @Nemo5 to R2R. If you want corals, we'll have to work on that tap water thing. Again, welcome.

 

[mike werner]

WELCOME TO R2R

 

[Anirban]

Welcome to R2R...

 

[Nemo5]

Welcome to R2R!!!

If you really can't spring for an RO/DI unit, I would highly recommend you at least get distilled water from your grocery store for water changes and top off. It will save you a lot of headaches.

I love that idea ! Distilled only correct ? I won’t have to condition while adding I’m assuming being treated already ?!

 

[Nemo5]

Welcome to R2R!!! Don't worry, we will never be harsh. We all started out the same as you and understand the learning curve as we all are still learning. I would recommend getting a better test kit so its easier to read. I would recommend the Red Sea marine test kit, it gives you everything you need for a new tank, and its easier to read IMO. Good Luck on the new tank!!!

Thanks so much and I’ll take your advise into that ! I agree can never stop learning !! I have a long journy that’ll hopefully be a fun ride

 

[Billldg]

I love that idea ! Distilled only correct ? I won’t have to condition while adding I’m assuming being treated already ?!

Thanks so much and I’ll take your advise into that ! I agree can never stop learning !! I have a long journy that’ll hopefully be a fun ride

I have only been in this awesome hobby since May last year, so technically, I am still a newbie as well, this forum has tought me so much and it will you to. If you want corals I would look into a RO/DI system. It will save you a ton of headaches down the road.

 

[Nemo5]

Welcome @Nemo5 to R2R. If you want corals, we'll have to work on that tap water thing. Again, welcome.

I do want corals !! Hopefully with distilled water changes/top offs we can get it corrected sooner then later ! .68 or whatever for that water can prolly hang Thank you !

 

[bsn_rn_cen]

Welcome to reef2reef.

 

[Nemo5]

Welcome to reef2reef !!
Don't hesiate to ask questions, also Ive had experience with that skimmer and you should take it back. The stock pump didn't last long.
You can have a successful reef tank without a protein skimmer.

Yeah I was in petsmart and seen it I paid 110 for it ! I can definitely get a lot better one for some little added $ , yes after buying it I read reviews and saw some YouTube videos and it didn’t seem to be going in right direction! I’ll definitely take your advice !!!

 

[SPR1968]

Welcome to R2R and I love the rock work design, very nice!

 

[Hella_Reef]

Welcome to R2R!


+1 on Distilled water if u cant get a ro/di for the time being.

I like the rock scape.

Remember to take this hobby slow, and test test test [emoji6]

 

[Muttley000]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[reef lover]

Welcome to r2r!!