40G First timer. Setup everything today finally

[JFinlay]

After months of obsessing about it, I’ve finally setup my tank! It’s crazy how expensive this stuff gets, considering this is considered “budget” with almost 1K invested. But will be well worth it.
i have a LFS that has really taken me under their wing, I went today and he gave me 10G of water from one of his tanks, along with live rock for a great price to get started. Should be enough to cycle.

I have 2 powerheads
Seachem Tidal 75 HOB filter
Eheim Jager 150W heater

I used Caribsea arag Alive and have a question about that, it says “contains bio-magnifier clarifier” but I didn’t see any packet? Really hoping I don’t have 2 packets buried in my sand somewhere. Is it mixed into the sand now or possible they didn’t come with it? My tank is still very cloudy about 5 hours after setup. I have the filter that came with the Tidal and extra filter floss in it.
I’m also wondering if it’s normal to have a bunch of bubbles around the tank at water level? Pic of what it looks like now. Don’t mind the mess, long day today lol.

 

[OctaviusBrine]

After months of obsessing about it, I’ve finally setup my tank! It’s crazy how expensive this stuff gets, considering this is considered “budget” with almost 1K invested. But will be well worth it.
i have a LFS that has really taken me under their wing, I went today and he gave me 10G of water from one of his tanks, along with live rock for a great price to get started. Should be enough to cycle.

I have 2 powerheads
Seachem Tidal 75 HOB filter
Eheim Jager 150W heater

I used Caribsea arag Alive and have a question about that, it says “contains bio-magnifier clarifier” but I didn’t see any packet? Really hoping I don’t have 2 packets buried in my sand somewhere. Is it mixed into the sand now or possible they didn’t come with it? My tank is still very cloudy about 5 hours after setup. I have the filter that came with the Tidal and extra filter floss in it.
I’m also wondering if it’s normal to have a bunch of bubbles around the tank at water level? Pic of what it looks like now. Don’t mind the mess, long day today lol.

View attachment 3055088

Yep that’s normal. just kinda like skim from the sand it’ll go away do you have the power head on?

 

[CoastalTownLayabout]

Bubbles are just scum from the sand. Have you adjusted the Tidal to skim from the surface? You can direct your powerheads towards the surface and that should move it towards the surface skimmer of the Tidal.

 

[JFinlay]

Bubbles are just scum from the sand. Have you adjusted the Tidal to skim from the surface? You can direct your powerheads towards the surface and that should move it towards the surface skimmer of the Tidal.

That makes sense, I might have overthought powerhead placement, I have the one on the right towards the front and lower, and the one on the left to the back and higher, and the left side doesn't have as much bubbles. Just brought the right side up more

 

[JFinlay]

Also had my filter on the lowest flow setting and didn't notice. Hopefully that helps clear things up quicker

 

[CoastalTownLayabout]

The blue dial near the down tube adjusts intake flow between the down tube and surface skimming weir. Basically the more you restrict the down tube the stronger your surface skimming will be.

 

[OctaviusBrine]

Also had my filter on the lowest flow setting and didn't notice. Hopefully that helps clear things up quicker

Yep like coastal said aim one at the surface it’ll help filter it. Also it’ll help keep the water oxygenated. Give it a day it’ll be all cleared up.

 

[JFinlay]

The blue dial near the down tube adjusts intake flow between the down tube and surface skimming weir. Basically the more you restrict the down tube the stronger your surface skimming will be.

Wow I skipped right over that dial, just changed that up as well. Thank you!

 

[JFinlay]

Do you guys have any idea about the water clarifier? It's still supposed to come as a packet inside the bag of sand right? Going to drive me nuts that I can't find either of them. Was hoping they'd float to the top

 

[JFinlay]

I go to open the SALTWATER master test kit I ordered from Amazon, andddd they sent me a freshwater kit. Niceee

 

[19Mateo83]

Looking good so far. Give it a little time and it will filter out. What is your plan for rock work and livestock when the time comes?

 

[CoastalTownLayabout]

Do you guys have any idea about the water clarifier? It's still supposed to come as a packet inside the bag of sand right? Going to drive me nuts that I can't find either of them. Was hoping they'd float to the top

Sorry mate, can’t help you with that one. I’ve never used the Caribsea Arag Alive and always rinse any new sand. Just get your arms in there and fish around if it’s going to impact your sleep tonight.

 

[JFinlay]

Looking good so far. Give it a little time and it will filter out. What is your plan for rock work and livestock when the time comes?

I have 20lbs of live rock from my LFS in there, you just can't see it!
I was honestly surprised how little of an amount I received from that. I have 4 pretty decent sized pieces, enough to form a little arch, and an island off to the side. As I purchase coral I think I'll buy more purple rock (not live) to add for a cheaper price.
Livestock I haven't thought too in depth about, but really like the concept of almost every fish serving a purpose. Something like -
Lawnmower Blenny
Fairy or Pink Streak Wrasse
YWM Goby and Tiger pistol shrimp (Think it's so cool how they pair, and would love to watch them)
2 clowns of course
Royal Gramma or Flame Hawkfish. Still doing my research on those, seems like mixed opinions.

 

[JFinlay]

Sorry mate, can’t help you with that one. I’ve never used the Caribsea Arag Alive and always rinse any new sand. Just get your arms in there and fish around if it’s going to impact your sleep tonight.

Oh trust me I did, no luck! I'm baffled and probably more concerned than I should be

 

[19Mateo83]

I have 20lbs of live rock from my LFS in there, you just can't see it!
I was honestly surprised how little of an amount I received from that.

Ahhh I remember those days….
I’m just getting restarted and getting a 5 gal up and running. Luckily I did t have to buy any rock this time.

Build Thread - 19Mateo83’s 5 & 14 gallon builds

After being out of the hobby for over a decade I decided to dip my toes back into the reef. I had been looking for a all glass rimless nano sized tank with integrated filter system. I stumbled upon the “glofish” brand tank (exactly the same as the marineland one) that met my criteria and it...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[pepper89]

Oh trust me I did, no luck! I'm baffled and probably more concerned than I should be

If you left it in there it's probably ok, I read on some posts the other day of people who left it in there for years, found it when they tore it down and said the tank was fine all that time lol. I think eventually it will settle down without it. That just makes it faster. BUT I do think they should still be in there. When I bought my sand the other week it def advertised that it did lol.

 

[CoastalTownLayabout]

Oh trust me I did, no luck! I'm baffled and probably more concerned than I should be

Oh well, it will remain a mystery of the deep then. Sounds like you need to rip the top off a coldie and put your feet up.

 

[JFinlay]

Oh well, it will remain a mystery of the deep then. Sounds like you need to rip the top off a coldie and put your feet up.

A mystery of the deep... I love it, cheers to that!

 

[JFinlay]

If you left it in there it's probably ok, I read on some posts the other day of people who left it in there for years, found it when they tore it down and said the tank was fine all that time lol. I think eventually it will settle down without it. That just makes it faster. BUT I do think they should still be in there. When I bought my sand the other week it def advertised that it did lol.

Well this gave me piece of mind, looks like I will hopefully be one of those guys, or a future conch will find it and bring it out of the sand for me.

 

[Vezos]

Can't wait to see this once it clears up.