Lighting

[dustyboy316]

Ok, that makes this easier than. That's out of my budget for sure, so I'm thinking the eclipse 10 gallon aquarium.

 

[dustyboy316]

Ok, I have a 10 gallon tank coming in now. When it gets here I want to get the live rock in and cycled. I'm going to mix the salt/water in the tank then add sand and let it settle. After that I'm going to add the LR.

Sound like the right order to do it in?

Also do I need any special lighting for LR? I am going to just use a little lamp to light it or does it even matter? The light probably dosen't affect it much (expect for if it's T5 or a coral light). I'm just trying to make the tank cycled and live for when I attach the eclipse system to it?


Also... (sorry haha) is it alright to add Hermits right after it's cycled, or should I wait for the Eclipse filter, or for some algae or life to grow more for food for them?

Thanks...

 

[nudy6969]

the deluxe only has pc's if you want a nano with built in lights capable of sustaining corals then youll need the JBJ 28 gallon nano with the HQI

the deluxe can sustain corals

 

[nudy6969]

go on this forum website

www.nano-reef.com

 

[yote]

You've pretty much got the basics.
You can add hermits once the cycles done.

 

[dustyboy316]

Ok sounds great, I'll hopefully be adding fish around christmas time. Will add some hermits before though.

Thanks.

 

[yote]

Dont forget to post pics as your getting it going.

 

[dustyboy316]

Yup, will do for sure. Tank should be in by next week, then I have to drive an hour to get live rock probably.

 

[dustyboy316]

Oh and what parameters are required after cyling?

As in temp, salinity, ph, and other parameters that will need to be tested after cycling?

 

[dustin_P74]

temp: 72-80
salinity: 1.021-1.025
ph: 7.9-8.4
ammonia: 0
nitrite: 0
nitrate: >25

 

[dustyboy316]

Ok, is there any good cheap refractometers anywhere, or do I have to spend the $50?

 

[dustin_P74]

this is just fine for the job. you just have to replace it every six months i believehttp://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4690+4952&pcatid=4952

 

[dustyboy316]

Cool. A much better alternative. Thanks.

 

[Piggy]

If I was you I would invest in the refractometer. I had a hydrometer and it was way off.

 

[dustyboy316]

are there any good ones for a cheap price?

I don't think I have 50 right now for one.

 

[d2mini]

$50 is cheap. Unless you find a crazy sale you won't find it much cheaper than that. Try ebay.
They can cost up to double that depending on the quality.

 

[dustyboy316]

Yah 50 was off of Ebay. I might be able to snipe something from my school's lab if there is anything (such as test paper). Is there anything that would be in a chemistry lab that could test salinity. I might even be able to borrow a refractometer possibly.

 

[lightcs4]

I concur, the one at the two docs is probably your best bet. It's $44.99 plus $9.99 shipping. Cheaper than buying a hydrometer every six months and more accurate.

 

[yote]

If you decide to go with a hydrometer.Then have your LFS check it againt their refractometer and mark the difference in the readings on the side.
Then get the refractometer as soon as you can.

 

[dustyboy316]

Well I just bought a Aquapod by Current USA (12 gallon). It comes with 2 power heads, which is good.

I won't be able to start it until around christmas though because my GF has to give it to me as a present haha. Actually I might pay for it and let her buy me fish...

If I don't have the tank until christmas would setting live rock into a bucket of salt water and moving it into the tank make the cycle time less when it's moved into the new tank?

(I worded that akwardly sorry).

Oh and if I were to get distilled water, they have it in 4 litre containers. It would take over 10 of these, more like15 to get to the full 12 gallons. Is there any way I can purify it through tap water or is it cheaper just to buy 10 or so jugs of water?