The First 7 Steps. for Marine Aquarium Success. Beginners Guide. Reef-fin

Transcription

1 The First 7 Steps for Marine Aquarium Success Beginners Guide Reef-fin

2 Step by Step Guide to Setting up your Marine Aquarium -- Beginners Guide -# Step 1 - Do your Homework Before you Buy. # Step 2 - Setting up your New Equipment. # Step 3-3a - Dry Rock and Dry Sand, 3b - Live Rock and Live Sand, 3c - Adding Water. # Step 4 - Make Up your Mind! # Step 5 - Patience! # Step 6 - Test Time. # step 7 - Lets Get Started!

3 # Step 1 - Before you Buy; Do not rush this stage as it s more important than you think! There are three main things to consider before you buy your aquarium; - Where you want your aquarium, Your budget, What type of aquarium you want it to be. # Tank Placement; Deciding where you want your aquarium can have a huge impact on the type of aquarium you have. Ideally you don't want to place the tank in a walk way or busy section of your house where it might get scratched or bumped. It's also advised to keep your tank out of direct sunlight as this can cause algae blooms and temperature fluctuations. Somewhere out of the way but where you will appreciate it is the ideal location.

4 # Your Budget; No matter how deep or shallow your pockets are anyone can afford a marine aquarium, you just need to be sensible about it. If you don t have a big budget then go for a simple tank design such as a fish only system. Or if you want to splash a bit of cash then go for a full sps reef tank. ITS UP TO YOU! Whatever you choose just remember there will be monthly costs to maintain your system. The more complex the system, the more money it will cost in replacing tests, salt, element dosing etc. Also remember that the bigger the tank the more it will cost on your electricity as you have more lighting and equipment to run (often forgotten about until you receive your electricity bill).

5 # What Type of Tank do you Want? Often not thought about until you go to buy your fish, but this needs to be done now! If your dream fish is a large lionfish then getting a nano aquarium isn t going to work. So have a think of what you want. The most common types of aquariums are; - Fish only Nano Predator Reef Species only Chance as are one of the above is the type of aquarium you will have. I highly recommend doing your own research on what type of fish you are wanting and what type of tank they are best suited to. Check the fish s temperament, size, is it reef safe, are they are best suited to a species only tank etc.

6 # Step 2 -Setting Up Equipment; This is the step I didn t even think about when I got my first aquarium. I opened up the box and got out my tank to find a lot of parts and equipment I knew very little about. But don t worry. Youtube is your answer. Just type in the make and model of your equipment and chances are their will be several videos of how to set up the equipment and the recommended setting to have them on. This goes for your; over flow pipes, skimmers, heaters, return pumps, reactors, wave makers etc. Tip - give everything a good rise out before use as there may be dust and other bits on the equipment from when it was manufactured. Just to be safe.

7 # Step 3 - Adding Water! This can be done in two different ways and it depends on what type of rock and sand you are going to be using in your aquarium. - Dry/Dead rock and sand (3a) Live rock and sand (3b) Saltwater (3c) But first think about how you are going to set out your rock structure within your aquarium. Do you want a wall of rock or a heap? Do you want bridges or want a natural looking structure? Do your homework and find out what you like best and what will suit your choice of aquarium. A reef tank will need ledges for coral placement whereas a fish only system will need lots of open water and places for the fish to hide.

8 # Step 3a - Dry Rock and Sand; If you are using dry rock (such as real reef rock or dead coral bones) then this method is best for you. To begin with give the rock and sand a good wash in tap water to remove dust and other bits that you don t want in your tank. Many people soak the rock and sand in water prior to adding it to their tank but this part is optional. Gently add a layer of sand into your aquarium and level it out. Then carefully place your rock and create the aquascape you desire. Tip - Push the rock base under the sand to make it sturdy. If needed, use a reef safe putty or super glue to adhere the rocks together and maintain the structure you desire. This will add support to your rock scape. Then simply add your salt water to your aquarium once your rock scape is set (3c)

9 # Step 3b - Live Rock and Sand. If you are adding live rock and sand it's a little different to if you used dry rock. Live rock is full of critters and bacteria that if left out of the water for too long will die off (not what you want!) To avoid this you will need to add the saltwater to your aquarium first (3c) Then once the temperature is right (25 degree) and your salinity level (1.026) is stable you can gently add your sand and set out your live rock. Reef safe putty can be used underwater but don t over handle it as it will cloud surrounding water very easy. Tip - Run your tank for a day or two with the saltwater in and then go and buy your live rock. This way you can add it straight into your tank.

10 # Step 3c - Adding Saltwater So you have started step 3a and 3b and arrived here. It's now time to add your saltwater to your aquarium. There is normally two ways this is done; - Fresh sea water, RO/DI water mixed with reef salt. # Fresh Sea Water; This one is easy if you live near the sea front. Simply take some containers down to the sea and get the amount of water you need. Then after a quick filter (filter paper or coffee filter) add the water to your system and get it up to temperature. But if you are like me and don't live near the ocean, then mixing your own salt is an easier option.

11 # Mixing Your Own Saltwater; This method is probably the most common way to make your saltwater, and its simple! All you need to do is mix your RO/DI water with your chosen salt mix. DO NOT USE TABLE SALT! Every reef salt has guidance on the ratio of salt to water to produce the ideal salinity ( ). I recommend you do your own research on types of salt and see which one is best for you. I use Seachem Salinity, if that helps? Tip - add the RO/DI water to your empty tank (or dry rock scape) and then add the amount of salt in your sump (or tank) and turn on your flow. This will naturally mix the salt and water in a few hours. Then use a refractor to test your salinity level. If it s to high, add more fresh RO/DI water. If its to low, add more salt.

12 # Step 4 - Changing You Set up! To some this is a pointless step and you can go ahead and skip it if you see fit. But if you are like me and always change your mind on how you want your rocks positioned, or where you want your powerhead to be placed etc, then this step is for you. Take some time and look at your aquarium to see if the rock structure is ideal for your choice of inhabitants. It's easier to change things around with no stock in your tank as you don't worry about crushing coral or fish. Tip - Ensure the rock work is away from the front and sides of the tank as you will need to clean these on a regular basis. So getting to them is a must unless you like the look of algae. Tip - Think of flow in your tank, you don t want there to be any dead spots in the tank where waste will build up.

13 # Step 5 - Patience! The step many people skip and learn the hard way that they should've just waited. I personally made this mistake with my first tank and it was a costly mistake. You need to let your tank cycle and allow the bacteria to grow and take hold. You will most likely see brown algae (Diatoms) on the sand and rock surface but this is normal and it normally goes on it's own once the cycle has finished. You will get spikes in your parameters within this stage and it's completely normal. These will settle down as the cycle progresses. Tip - Use this time to research what fish, coral and/or inverts you are wanting. What fish can live in a community, their fully grown size, their diet etc.

14 # Step 6 - Test Time! So you are still waiting for your tank to finish its cycle or you think the cycle is near its end and are getting impatient. Well there is only one way to find out if your tank is ready for its first inhabitants and that is by testing your parameters. Using a test kit (Redsea kits are what I use) you will follow the instruction provided and test each parameter. There are a range of parameters (page 15) that you will need to test and each have their own ideal level for a marine aquarium. Tip - Using excel or a notepad keep a record of your tests, this way you can see trends and spikes with ease.

15 # Water Parameters Test Fish Only Fish Only With LR Reef Temperature F F F Salinity ph Alkalinity ppm ppm ppm Ammonia (NH3) 0 ppm 0 ppm 0 ppm Nitrite (NO2) 0 ppm 0 ppm 0 ppm Nitrate (NO3) <100 ppm <20 ppm <20 ppm Phosphate (PO4-3) <5 ppm <0.5 ppm <0.5 ppm Calcium (Ca+2) >300 ppm mg/l mg/l Tip - If you are just starting off with little to no coral just focus on Temp, Salinity, Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate. Your salt mix will take care for the rest when you do your water changes.

16 # Step 7 - Adding Livestock!!! Done all your tests? Water parameters all came back looking good? Great job! Now it's time to add your first fish or invert but as with everything in this hobby, research and patience are key. For example, you don't want to be adding inverts if you are going for a predator tank with puffers, as they will simply become food. Many people start off with a clean up crew (CUC) that involves snails and inverts while others go for a hardy fish (like the green chromis). I highly recommend the green chromis as it's a hardy and peaceful shoaling fish that is reef safe. Aim to get 3+ if this is your choice as they prefer to be in a shoal. Tip - Choosing a Hardy inexpensive fish is the best way to go in my opinion. Many people who buy the more expensive delicate fish end up losing them in week or two as a result of parameter spikes (Common in a new tank)

17 # So there we have it! 7 easy to follow steps that I wish I followed when setting up my first saltwater aquarium. I hope this helped and good luck with your aquarium! For more information of the marine aquarium hobby or to ask a question visit Why not join ree-fin s facebook group and be a part of a friendly community where there is no such thing as a silly question! A Place to share your progress and speak to others in the hobby! By Scott Fletcher - the maine aquarium blog