Newbie

[fishybizzness]

I am setting up a new 55 gallon fowlr tank. I live in the virgin islands and have an endless supply of live rock/live sand/fish. My question is can I start my tank with ocean water and live sand/rock or do I have to use a salt mixture like instant ocean?

 

[SantaMonicaHelp]

I am setting up a new 55 gallon fowlr tank. I live in the virgin islands and have an endless supply of live rock/live sand/fish. My question is can I start my tank with ocean water and live sand/rock or do I have to use a salt mixture like instant ocean?

Hey Fishybizzness,

Welcome to the forum
Will it be your first tank?
How popular is the aquarium life in the Virgin Islands?

Zhenya

 

[fishybizzness]

I have been running a 29 gallon freshwater for several years and decided to make the jump to salt. I had a 40 salt about 25 years ago and I want to get into it again. Aquariums are pretty popular here.

 

[Jason mack]

Welcome , and I imagine coming from the Virgin Islands your water quality would be good , only difference with mixing self is you won't introduce and micro organisms good or bad ,

 

[fishybizzness]

It should be pretty good. We usually have about 100 ft visibility. I would be initially setting up with ocean water and probably doing water changes with mixed water which would be easier.

 

[Jason mack]

It should be pretty good. We usually have about 100 ft visibility. I would be initially setting up with ocean water and probably doing water changes with mixed water which would be easier.

Sounds like a good plan !!! Good luck , happy reefing !!! Don't forget too post photos !!

 

[dbl]

Welcome to R2R and thanks for joining.

 

[fishybizzness]

So has anyone experimented with using natural saltwater to do a new setup?

 

[Salty1962]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[cromag27]

Welcome!

 

[KJ]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[kireek]

*Welcome to Reef2Reef @fishybizzness !* I personally would just use packaged salt from start to finish.It will be much easier to transport,store and keep consistent.Check out the threads here for more info https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/saltwater-from-ocean-is-it-ok.300274/#post-3675328 Best of luck with your new system!

 

[4FordFamily]

Welcome home, you will love it here!

 

[fishybizzness]

Thanks for all the help! I decided to go with instant ocean from the start to avoid any issues. I still will be going with live rock/sand straight from the ocean. Due to the fact that they will be going from the ocean to my tank in less than an hour will they still start the cycle or will I have to add a piece of shrimp to jump start it?

 

[fishybizzness]

Finally done with my cycle!!!! Added a clean-up crew. Some snails,Hermits. Discovered several hitchhikers-a brittle star , a few urchins and some feather dusters..Kool stuff.

 

[Reefing Madness]

 

[Gator1970]

Finally done with my cycle!!!! Added a clean-up crew. Some snails,Hermits. Discovered several hitchhikers-a brittle star , a few urchins and some feather dusters..Kool stuff.

Sweet - you are so lucky to have such cool hitchhikers fresh from the ocean!

 

[fishybizzness]

I'm guessing one of my snails deposited some eggs. Any thoughts?

 

[fishybizzness]

My first fish! I had some aptasia and added her and in 3 days I can't find any. She really feasted!!