New to Saltwater - Tips?

[tapatte2]

Hi there! I got my first saltwater AIO set up the other day. Its a fluval evo 13.5 without the lid and without whatever original filter inserts that came with it. I got a new Current Orbit Marine light on top right now. I have sponges, aqua chargers, carbon pads, and bio balls in there, in that order. Have live rock in there as well. How often should I be putting in frozen brine for the cycle? Any tips on improving my filter media/set up? What corals can be supported by this light? Future coral/fish stocking ideas?

 

[Fish Fan]

Hi there! I got my first saltwater AIO set up the other day. Its a fluval evo 13.5 without the lid and without whatever original filter inserts that came with it. I got a new Current Orbit Marine light on top right now. I have sponges, aqua chargers, carbon pads, and bio balls in there, in that order. Have live rock in there as well. How often should I be putting in frozen brine for the cycle? Any tips on improving my filter media/set up? What corals can be supported by this light? Future coral/fish stocking ideas?

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

Without trying to get into a whole thing here, I would personally remove the BioBalls if they are the plastic type.

Can you link to the light you purchased?

And what return pump are you using? The original Fluval pump, or something different?

Oh, and what are you using for source water? DO you have RODI or distilled water, or tap water?

These three questions will help others help you with coral/livestock selections.

Good luck with your tank!

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Welcome! When you say live rock, is it from the ocean or someone's tank that was going for a while?. Is the light the kind that sits on top of the tank or hangs? A link would be helpful as @Fish Fan asked. This information will help with how to set up the filtration.

 

[tapatte2]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

Without trying to get into a whole thing here, I would personally remove the BioBalls if they are the plastic type.

Can you link to the light you purchased?

And what return pump are you using? The original Fluval pump, or something different?

Oh, and what are you using for source water? DO you have RODI or distilled water, or tap water?

These three questions will help others help you with coral/livestock selections.

Good luck with your tank!

Thank you so much! Should I replace the bio balls for something else? Replaced the pump for something with a little more juice. Aqua top max flow at 1800 liters/hr or roughly 475 gal/hr. I get water from my local aquarium store and I’m pretty sure it’s RODI. That is also when I got my live rock from. I’ve gotten a couple pieces of live from a few stores to maybe introduce more/better variety of bacteria. This is my light (https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/o...RDIAUnyD9oqlwAHbFOfZiknN5Mvnz0katx9qlTmreAA64) just the shorter 18in version

 

[tapatte2]

Welcome! When you say live rock, is it from the ocean or someone's tank that was going for a while?. Is the light the kind that sits on top of the tank or hangs? A link would be helpful as @Fish Fan asked. This information will help with how to set up the filtration.

Hi!! Thanks for the reply. I replied to fish fan but don’t know if you’d get a notification as well. Replaced the pump for something with a little more juice. Aqua top max flow at 1800 liters/hr or roughly 475 gal/hr. I get water from my local aquarium store and I’m pretty sure it’s RODI. That is also when I got my live rock from. (From Phoenix so no live rock from the ocean for me haha) I’ve gotten a couple pieces of live from a few stores to maybe introduce more/better variety of bacteria. This is my light (https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/o...RDIAUnyD9oqlwAHbFOfZiknN5Mvnz0katx9qlTmreAA64) just the shorter 18in version

 

[Fish Fan]

Honestly, I wouldn't worry too much about the bioballs. I was reminded of a comment a very advanced member here who is also a professional chemist had made, but it was in kind of an advanced thread (over my head lol!). You'll be fine to leave them in I'm sure.

The link to the light says right in red at the top that it's for fish only tanks and soft corals, so there's some indication of what you may be able to grow with this light. So you're looking at some of the easier to keep soft corals that don't need a whole lot of light, like mushrooms, Xenia, leather corals, zoas, etc.

That pump will likely be alright for these corals. You do need good waterflow, but don't want your softies whipping around in your tank.

If you're getting fresh water or premade saltwater from a local fish store, it's probably just fine to use. Only negative is hauling it back from the store ;-)

 

[Cichlid Dad]

So this is a low par light, I believe under 30 watts. You will be limited to low light coral but good news there's lots of nice low light coral and easy to keep. If it is true live rock that came from a tank not "life" rock that's dry then this is your true filtration. You can use a sponge in the first chamber, filter floss in the second and if you choose to use carbon then that will be in the last chamber. Filter floss can be purchased at Walmart for a few dollars and a bag will last this tank for a year. You will need to pull the sponge and clean it in RODI or distilled water every three days. Filter floss change every three days. That's a you need . No bio balls or anything else. Water changes every two weeks two gallons. For coral, see below.

Six Favorite Low Light Corals

When thinking about colorful corals, it's understandable to assume they are that way because of intense bright lighting, but that’s not always the case. In fact there is a whole group of photosynthetic corals which thrive under low lighting. Most species of coral being kept in home aquariums...

worldwidecorals.com

Follow this recipe and you will have a great tank.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Oh yeah remember only fresh water evaporates and not salt water. You must replace evaporation every day with distilled water or RODI fresh water not salt water.