New 30 gallon SW tank

**Cichlid_Man** · 09-13-2009, 08:44 AM

Hi,
I was on here yesterday asking some SW startup questions and got some help. I thank you!
I am going out today and buying my "stuff", and I want to see if I have all my ducks in a row.
This is what I have on my list.

Tank and stand
Hood and lights
Heater
Protein skimmer
Power heads
20 lbs live rock
Crushed Coral for substrate, maybe some live sand mixed.
Test kit
Hydrometer
Instant Ocean
Am I leaving anything out?
What do they mean by "curing your live rock"
When is the live rock added?
When do you add fish and do you cycle the same as a FW tank?
I know lighting is important if you one day want this to be a reef tank, but all that can change later, no?

**UnknownFish** · 09-13-2009, 11:43 AM

dont forget test kits, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and ph, thats the only tests you should really need til your tank cycles.

**Cichlid_Man** · 09-13-2009, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by UnknownFish

dont forget test kits, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and ph, thats the only tests you should really need til your tank cycles.

Thanks! I assume that would be a totally different test kit than I have for my fresh water

**Crispy** · 09-13-2009, 11:54 AM

I don't see any type of filtration on your list.

**Cichlid_Man** · 09-13-2009, 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by Crispy

I don't see any type of filtration on your list.

I was told on this forum that Live Rock IS your biological filtration and nothing else is needed but power heads and protein skimmer???
Now I am confused :-)

**fins_n_fur** · 09-13-2009, 12:19 PM

Correct, your cured, live rock is effectively your filter along with your power head(s) and skimmer.

Two resources that will be handy for you to borrow from your local library or purchase: The Conscientious Marine Aquarist by Robert Fenner and The New Marine Aquarium: Step by Step Setup and Stocking Guide by Michael S. Paletta. I tried to find some articles that I thought we used to have that would help to answer your questions, but they're gone or I was imagining things. Answers would be in both of those books.

**Cichlid_Man** · 09-13-2009, 12:27 PM

Originally Posted by fins_n_fur

Correct, your cured, live rock is effectively your filter along with your power head(s) and skimmer.

Two resources that will be handy for you to borrow from your local library or purchase: The Conscientious Marine Aquarist by Robert Fenner and The New Marine Aquarium: Step by Step Setup and Stocking Guide by Michael S. Paletta. I tried to find some articles that I thought we used to have that would help to answer your questions, but they're gone or I was imagining things. Answers would be in both of those books.

Thanks - I am on the right track then.
Gonna go slow with this. I will get more info at the LFS, but at least I have enough to go on so they don't try to sell me the Brooklyn Bridge! lol

**fins_n_fur** · 09-13-2009, 12:33 PM

I'm in the process of finding you some links from a reputable site to help you--I thought I had them book marked, but apparently not. You definitely want to take your time, patience is key for a fresh water tank, and critical for a successful s/w tank.

**UnknownFish** · 09-13-2009, 12:59 PM

Here is a video from that pet place/that fish place that shows how to cure live rock,

**fins_n_fur** · 09-13-2009, 01:14 PM

If you go to this page at www.reefkeeping.com, I would recommend reading the Reef 101 articles to help you some more. I still highly recommend the two books I mentioned previously.