Lighting

[dustin_P74]

20 pounds. 1-2 pounds per gallon is a good amount

 

[dustyboy316]

20 pounds. 1-2 pounds per gallon is a good amount

Ok, I was trying to get anywhere from 10-15 so that's good.

Do I not need any air pumps, or does the protein skimmer make an air flow too?

 

[yote]

Dont worry about air pumps.Bubbles are not good in a salty tank.Besides,the skimmer and powerheads will help keep the water oxygenated.

 

[daugherty]

no air pumps they will fill your tank with bubbles. "not like a fresh tank"
.

 

[daugherty]

damit yote you got me

 

[dustyboy316]

Ok, sounds good. I may have just got a tank, heater and lights. I'll probably end up buying that, then ordering the skimmer and rocks online. Also I'll buy the hydrometer and salt mix and testin kit from petsmart.

Is there any faq's for how to mix the salt water and add it into the tank?

 

[yote]

damit yote you got me

Just getting back for all the times y'all got me:mrgreen:

 

[yote]

Ok, sounds good. I may have just got a tank, heater and lights. I'll probably end up buying that, then ordering the skimmer and rocks online. Also I'll buy the hydrometer and salt mix and testin kit from petsmart.

Is there any faq's for how to mix the salt water and add it into the tank?

Generally,you'll mix the salt at a 1/2 cup per gallon of fresh water.Put the water in the mixing bucket,add powerhead and plug it in.Then slowly add the required salt.Let that mix for at least 30 minutes,and test specific gravity with the hydrometer.If its below 1.024 add a little more salt.If its over 1.026 then add fresh water.Anything in between 1.024 and 1.026 if good.
Let it mix for at least 8 hours,24 hours is best.
And use either RO/DI or distilled water.

 

[dustyboy316]

Generally,you'll mix the salt at a 1/2 cup per gallon of fresh water.Put the water in the mixing bucket,add powerhead and plug it in.Then slowly add the required salt.Let that mix for at least 30 minutes,and test specific gravity with the hydrometer.If its below 1.024 add a little more salt.If its over 1.026 then add fresh water.Anything in between 1.024 and 1.026 if good.
Let it mix for at least 8 hours,24 hours is best.
And use either RO/DI or distilled water.

If I filter it with a brita filter is that distilled enough?

 

[yote]

Not really.
Those Brita filters will remove chlorine and chloramine,but not much else.

 

[dustyboy316]

Ok, I'm guessing they'll have some distilled water at petsmart right?

 

[dustin_P74]

doubt full. but walmart and grocery stores sell distilled water in those big machines usually sitting up front

 

[dustyboy316]

doubt full. but walmart and grocery stores sell distilled water in those big machines usually sitting up front

Oh ok.

Hmm, well I think I'm good for now, I'll post when I get my aquarium, then I'll order in then.

Thanks for the help so far.

 

[nudy6969]

if you choose to order stuff from the same place instead of several you will save more money on shipping.

i found some of the things you need for a very good price at drs foster and smith take a look.

heater $10

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3743+3878&pcatid=3878

Hydrometer $8

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4690+4945&pcatid=4945

salt mix 50 gal $10

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4685+4856&pcatid=4856

Power Head $13

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4585+4609&pcatid=4609


total of $42 + $10 shipping.

if you wanted to buy these 4 things at pets mart it would cost 2 times as much.

 

[nudy6969]

don't forget sand,

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+10741+16764&pcatid=16764

$20

so now you have a total of $63 PLUS 10 shipping, a skimmer for 30 and lr for 35 (marine depot lr 15lbs) which leaves you at $70 less.

enough to buy an ok light!

 

[nudy6969]

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI...~idProduct~CU01124~idCategory~FILTFIT54U.html

or
better choice it has individual reflectors making it much better

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+16770&pcatid=16770

 

[yote]

Better be careful Nudy.
With all that shopping your doing,you might end up buying yourself another tank:D

 

[nudy6969]

Better be careful Nudy.
With all that shopping your doing,you might end up buying yourself another tank:D

lol, maybe. Ive been thinking about a shallow tank lately.

6 inch high, 3 ft long, 2 ft wide.

 

[dustin_P74]

sounds like a frag tank to me

 

[nudy6969]

sounds like a frag tank to me

no, more like a stand and look down pretending your at the beach tank.