- Joined
- Jul 10, 2018
- Messages
- 554
- Reaction score
- 255
I am planning to fill my Red Sea Reefer 170 today after over a year of learning and planning. I contemplated whether to get into the hobby and make the investment since I live in an apartment, move every few years, and plan to go back to school sometime soon. The challenges of reefing made me question whether I'd be able to keep a successful tank. During this year long period of learning, I set up a 10 gallon nano tank with HOB equipment as a "trial" and I've found the entire process to be challenging but very fun and rewarding. I've had ups and downs (alk swings, dino) but the tank is looking great and maintenance is now a breeze. I've also gathered all of my equipment during this time and was able to piece together some nice equipment at discounts by waiting for deals.
My goal is to set up a low maintenance reef tank. I have time to take care of the tank now but may not have as much free time soon so I want to make sure I can let the tank run on its own with minimal maintenance. Reason I got a controller after telling myself I don't need one lol.
Tank: Red Sea Reefer 170
Return: Varios 4
Powerhead: MP10qd
Light: Hydra TwentySix HD
Rock: Marco
Substrate: Bare bottom
ATO: Tunze 3155
Controller: Apex El
My tank came in with a few defects. The silicone on the bottom side of the tank was sloppy. The tank would have been fine but being that it was new, I wanted one with clean seams. Red Sea said okay and the new tank is coming in today. (Will have the original up for sale BTW).
I've also made the mistake of buying cheap. The nicer equipment is pricey but I feel a bit better knowing that I purchased at a discount after hunting for promos for a year lol. For example, I bought 2 Jebao OW10 pumps for my 10 gallon and planned to move them to the larger tank when I first bought them. One pump just never even worked from the beginning lol. So I just bought an mp10 since if I would've saved $75 bucks if I bought right the first time anyways.
My first question is how do I transfer the live stock in my 10 gallon to the new tank? I bought 30 pounds of new dry Marco rock and BioSpira. I plan to use that. I wanted a new scape so I just went dry to take time to make a scape I liked rather than having to throw in old rock immediately. My plan is to cycle as if the tank is entirely new but I'm wondering if I can just throw the old rock in my 10 gallon into the sump and then transfer livestock right away. My only concern is the potential for a new cycle and carrying over things I don't like from my old tank. I don't have major pests but there are some sponges I just don't like although they are supposedly good. I think I have some bristleworms but haven't seen the guy in a month actually. There was some odd alien like tentacle that used to come out during feeding that I could never ID or get a picture of but I don't think anything has been affected lol.
My goal is to set up a low maintenance reef tank. I have time to take care of the tank now but may not have as much free time soon so I want to make sure I can let the tank run on its own with minimal maintenance. Reason I got a controller after telling myself I don't need one lol.
Tank: Red Sea Reefer 170
Return: Varios 4
Powerhead: MP10qd
Light: Hydra TwentySix HD
Rock: Marco
Substrate: Bare bottom
ATO: Tunze 3155
Controller: Apex El
My tank came in with a few defects. The silicone on the bottom side of the tank was sloppy. The tank would have been fine but being that it was new, I wanted one with clean seams. Red Sea said okay and the new tank is coming in today. (Will have the original up for sale BTW).
I've also made the mistake of buying cheap. The nicer equipment is pricey but I feel a bit better knowing that I purchased at a discount after hunting for promos for a year lol. For example, I bought 2 Jebao OW10 pumps for my 10 gallon and planned to move them to the larger tank when I first bought them. One pump just never even worked from the beginning lol. So I just bought an mp10 since if I would've saved $75 bucks if I bought right the first time anyways.
My first question is how do I transfer the live stock in my 10 gallon to the new tank? I bought 30 pounds of new dry Marco rock and BioSpira. I plan to use that. I wanted a new scape so I just went dry to take time to make a scape I liked rather than having to throw in old rock immediately. My plan is to cycle as if the tank is entirely new but I'm wondering if I can just throw the old rock in my 10 gallon into the sump and then transfer livestock right away. My only concern is the potential for a new cycle and carrying over things I don't like from my old tank. I don't have major pests but there are some sponges I just don't like although they are supposedly good. I think I have some bristleworms but haven't seen the guy in a month actually. There was some odd alien like tentacle that used to come out during feeding that I could never ID or get a picture of but I don't think anything has been affected lol.