saltwater 55g questions

[cocoa_pleco]

but won't i have to put it in the ocean to get those "critters" (not including corals and other inverts)

nope, just stick it in a tank full of RO water mixed with sea salt, and a heater and powerhead. let it sit for a month or 2, and it will cure

[kaianuanu]

oh and how would i go about cleaning up all the poo and debrisof the bottom if i can't do 100% water changes What's R O water i've read about it but i'm not sure what exactly it is by tha way i'm greateful for all of your time i've been whasteing

[cocoa_pleco]

oh and how would i go about cleaning up all the poo and debrisof the bottom if i can't do 100% water changes

you just do 10-20% weekly water changes to replace minerals, you dont vacuum anything (unless you have algae issues and you want to vacuum out some)

[kaianuanu]

oh and how would i go about cleaning up all the poo and debrisof the bottom if i can't do 100% water changes What's R O water i've read about it but i'm not sure what exactly it is by tha way i'm greateful for all of your time i've been whasteing

i edited that last comment


oh but now that i have that bacteria(unlike freshwater) theyll'e break most of that poo down and turn it into nitrates.

right?

[cocoa_pleco]

RO water is reverse osmosis, most tapwater contains phosphates and other junk that feeds algae and cyano. RO is pure and will match your tanks levels quickly. You can get a RO machine that hooks up to your tap, or get bottled RO water from grocery stores (which is what i personally do)

youre not wasting my time, i like answering sw questions, and i could answer them all day!

[kaianuanu]

so, what would the basic equipment be 4 a 55: about 30lb.'s of live rock, a power filter(in my preferences), salt mix, ro water, lighting and test equipment(test kits, hydrometer,etc)

with ro water u don't need tap water conditioner, correct?

[kaianuanu]

also i was thinking about a nano reef, could I use a power filter without a cartridge as a powerhead?

and what exact species of clown fish is the "nemo" clownfish?

[Dave66]

Amphiprion percula, Kaianuanu. Just ask for the Percula Clownfish, and they'll take you to them.

Dave

[kaianuanu]

so, what would the basic equipment be 4 a 55: about 30lb.'s of live rock, a power filter(in my preferences), salt mix, ro water, lighting and test equipment(test kits, hydrometer,etc)

with ro water u don't need tap water conditioner, correct?

also i was thinking about a nano reef, could I use a power filter without a cartridge as a powerhead?

[Dave66]

so, what would the basic equipment be 4 a 55: about 30lb.'s of live rock, a power filter(in my preferences), salt mix, ro water, lighting and test equipment(test kits, hydrometer,etc)

with ro water u don't need tap water conditioner, correct?

also i was thinking about a nano reef, could I use a power filter without a cartridge as a powerhead?

Go for a decent refractometer, kaianuanu, instead of a hydrometer. The former is MUCH more accurate.

Salifert makes decent regent-based test kits for marine tanks. LaMotte has laboratory grade regents, and are thus far more expensive per kit, and to eliminate human error in interpreting results, a colorimeter, also by LaMotte, can be used, but is very expensive; over 800 dollars. However, if you want exact readings on your tests, it's the only way.

No, you don't need any conditioner with reverse osmosis water. Down the line you might want to invest in a good RO/DI unit for your tank.

You could, as waterfall-type HOB filters give the turbid current you need. However, if you don't keep your tank topped off with the RO water, you'll get salt splash all over the back of the tank, the hood, and the wall behind the tank.

Dave