How to start a saltwater tank:

[Rue]

Okay...once you have all the necessary equipment together...you need to do all the following:

When starting the AVERAGE new tank:

1. Fill with R/O or distilled water
2. Heat to 78 F
3. Add 0.5 cup salt per gallon...stir salt so it's dissolved completely.
-SG for fish only = 1.022
-SG for reef tanks = 1.025
-Adjust salt quantity accordingly.
3.5 Use a hydrometre or refractometre to monitor SG daily
4. Add substrate. Aragonite recommended. Average depth 2".
5. Add liverock. 1.0-1.5 lbs per gallon depending on type and quality. Larger tanks may also want to add base rock.
6. Wait for signs of life.
- coralline algae
- diatoms
- small inverts
- macroalgae
- microalgae
7. Once tank has fully cycled - 4-6 weeks.
- Ammonia 0 ppm
- Nitrites 0 ppm
- Nitrates 0-10 ppm
8. Add cleaning crew of invertebrates
9. Can add appropriate fish - never add too many at once. One at a time best.
10. Can add appropriate corals
11. Weekly 10% waterchanges
- Mix water 24-48 hours before use.
- Heat
- Aerate
12. Perform routine maintenance as needed, i.e.:
- glass, inside and out
- manage saltcreep
- empty skimmer
- prefilters
- sponges
- filter media
- impellers
13. Relax and enjoy!

[cocoa_pleco]

dont forget drip acclimate any fish,corals, etc!

EXCELLENT EXCELLENT post! i think this should be our first SW sticky!

[Rue]

...good addition! Didn't think of that! Always important, but moreso with the salties!

[kkyyllee]

i would change the depth to 1/2inch or 1ich unless your going for a deepsand bed then at least 4-5inches

[Rue]

Why 0.5-1.0? You limit the addition of sand-dwelling/burrowing critters...I understood that they needed two inches for comfort?

[cocoa_pleco]

thats what i heard too...

[unleashed]

it can vary on what critters like to live in. Most people either have 4-5 inches or .5 to 1 inch of sand. Most people i've seen prefer shallower sand beds as they are easier to clean and maintain. The critters don't really care as long as the sand bed is deeper than .5 inch

[Rue]

So there's not really a better way to do it? Bottom line, it's just personal preference...

Good to know the rational behind everything...

[kkyyllee]

unless you want a deep sandbed you dont want to go over 1", unless ur livestock includes sandsifting fish

[Rue]

Bumping this thread up...because I keep looking for it and keep loosing it...:hmm3grin2orange:

[Kuli_Loach]

I agree and then disagree with you, I use tap water with a filter on it. Also depending on your stocking and financial situation, you can have under 1 lb of LR per gallon but I recommend 1 lb per gallon.

[Rue]

...okay...I use my own post a lot...lol...would it be possible to sticky it?

:14:

[Rue]

No? I've been patient! :1: