uhuru Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Hello, a brief introduction: I'm new to the hobby and have a CADlights 5 gallon nano-reef tank on the way. I used to have a mini-reef when I was much younger but strayed away from the hobby during my teenage and young adult years, so some stuff come back to me when I read about it but a lot of stuff I don't think I understood too well back then anyways. I'm currently a student at OSU and am pretty much fascinated with anything that has to do with biology, chemistry, physiology, etc... So my all-in-one tank already comes with built in mini-fuge, and T5/actinic lightning. I'm not sure the best place to shop at this time to get live rock/sand, but it looks like the place in Albany is closest for me. As far as other necessary equipment to get started, I'd appreciate any tips. I already have a digital salinity meter. I plan to get an extra bucket and pump to keep mixed saltwater on hand and maybe an ATO since evaporation can have such a big impact on such a small tank (thoughts??). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Welcome to the PNWMAS. It sounds like you have thought things through. What kind of critters are you going to keep. Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
180Brandy Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Welcome to PNWMAS! Good luck with your new set up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JManrow Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Welcome Uhuru - I just happened to run across this article and site about ATO systems last night. http://www.athiel.com/lib12/diytopoff.htm http://www.floatswitches.net/ I hope it helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 WELCOME!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mister crabs Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 uhuru the place in albany has decent stuff....he has a newsletter that he emails out and you have to print it to get the good prices. Go to www.albanysamazingaquarium.com and sign up.his newsletter deals are great and he gives discounts for club members and usually better prices for people paying cash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanz Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Wow, newbies are popping up like green hair algae! Welcome to the hobby! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holly Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Welcome! (cheer) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CCR Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 (welcome) Just leave the algae at home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uhuru Posted March 8, 2007 Author Share Posted March 8, 2007 Thanks for the welcomes guys. With my limited space (and experience) I'm going to stick with (edit: LPS) and some shrimp (gotta have the sexy shrimp), maybe an emerald crab??, and a couple of other cleaners. I want to get a book with "cool pictures and stuff" to get a better idea of what's out there. Any recommendations would be appreciated. What test kits do I need? I'm thinking: PH probe ammonia/nitrite/nitrate test kit I've seen strontium, calcium, alkalinity test mentioned here and there, but I'm not sure if it's necessary... Also is a skimmer necessary for a tank this size? Or would I be fine with just the live rock and sand in the tank and fuge? I plan to add some macroaglae as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piero Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 I'd definitely go with a skimmer regardless. And welcome! Might want to consider a shallow sand bed just for aesthetics, and avoid some of the maintenance issues and longterm problems with deep sand beds (DSB's). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 Welcome!! I would pick up a nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, alk, calcium and pH test kit. A pH probe will run you more $$ so thats really up to you. You don't need a skimmer, just maintain regular weekly WCs. A hang on back fuge would be useful though. You also need to get a camera cuz we all like pics!!! (laugh) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uhuru Posted March 8, 2007 Author Share Posted March 8, 2007 Okay, I'll get those test kits. Thanks for the tips! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nyles Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 Uhuru, welcome and where you located, Corvallis? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CCR Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 Okay' date=' I'll get those test kits. Thanks for the tips![/quote'] Please get good test kits. http://www.hobbyoutletsales.com/salifert.html not saying where to buy, but this is what you want, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nyles Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 I like using the cheap combo set for ammonia, nitrate, nitrite and ph and get the salifert kits as you can afford (alk, cal, mag), with the combo kit costing $25 its a good starting point, if you have nitrate nitrite or am you should be getting rid of it regarless of how much and I find them pretty accurate, the PH sucks though. I never can tell what color the thing reads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uhuru Posted March 9, 2007 Author Share Posted March 9, 2007 Uhuru' date=' welcome and where you located, Corvallis?[/quote'] Yup. I'm from So. Cal. Moved up here last year to attend OSU. I'm a post-bacc though (originally graduated from UCI), planning to apply to vet school in the fall. CCR - thanks, I'll get the Salifert test kits. How often should I be testing my water once I start adding the critters? impur - the tank comes with a little overflow compartment in the back but I don't think the capacity is all that great. It comes with bio-balls which I plan to replace with live stuff. I have room to add a seperate fuge on a shelf above or below the tank but the thought of an overflow accident sort of scares me. This is in a carpeted room btw. If anyone knows a way to make it fail safe I might attempt it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mister crabs Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 u dont need a skimmer if you keep up on your water changes. Water changes and keeping your salinity in check will keep your tank running smoothly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CCR Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 failsafe,,,,,is a word that scares me!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mister crabs Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 nothing in this hobby is failsafe i have found......even with all the high tech gadgets and gizmos to monitor your tank with murphy is always there with his damned law trying to screw something up. Who would have thunk copying mother nature would be such a chalenge? LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uhuru Posted March 11, 2007 Author Share Posted March 11, 2007 A hang on back fuge would be useful though. Well I just bought a CPR small hang on back fuge from some guy on one of the reef forums. More than 50% off from new so I figured I should jump on it. Should I fill this with a DSB or just LR and chaeto? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DChemist Posted March 11, 2007 Share Posted March 11, 2007 Personally, I would go with just live rock and chaeto. I can't imagine to could make a DSB big enough in a hang-on back fuge to make a large impact on nitrates. With a tank that small, water changes should be enough to control nitrates. But that's just my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palani Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 Hey, I'm in Corvallis and if you would like to see my 24 gallon "nano" you are more than welcome to come on over. Just PM me when you get the chance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuttlefish Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 Hey Uhuru, I'm a newbie as well but welcome! You like the fact that we're being compared hair algae? Yikes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.