Just ordered my first reef tank

[sweetriden76]

I just ordered a 12 gallon nanocube standard(not the delux) for a first reef tank, read in another thread that one member who purchased the standard was glad they bought it and not the delux, I also got a decent quality 75watt heater as I read its sometimes a problem keeping the temps constant in these small tanks...so questions are, what needs to go in the tank initialy...obviousely the sand and water, do I ad the live rock right away? I had a a 20 gallon fish only saltwater tank before but it wasnt the best setup and I'd like to get this right this time, I know I will also need to get test stuff for the PH, nitrates, nitrites, and amonia. Is there anything else I should test for? any advice is helpful...thanks...

[omard]

To 3Reef!!!

Hiya "Sweet..."

Salutations! Glad to see you found way here!

I am quite happy with my 12 gallon Nanocube with the standard lights.

That being said, it is much more of a challenge to maintain then my larger tank. Things have a tendency to go sideways in it very quickly, and I have to keep a very close eye on.

You have a steep learning curve.

Get tank, sand, water LR cycling, then you will have plenty of time to read up on what your future is going to entail.

Go slow.

Read up on hobby as much as you can.

Have fun!


Good Luck!

The Tao of Marine Aquaria
Tips for Our Hobby and Life

© 1997 Adam H. Whitlock
Edited By Elizabeth M. Lukan 11/25/00

Some places to start (besides right here at 3Reef --- browsing past posts a great help)


Knowing How to Set Up a Marine Aquarium, Adam Blundell M.S.

Your First Reef aquarium: How to Create a Miniature Coral Reef System at Home.
by J. Charles Delbeek B.Sc., B.Ed., M.Sc.

About.com - Saltwater Aquariums 101 "Getting Started" FREE Email Course

Thinking about setting up a saltwater aquarium? (melevsreef.com)

An Introduction to the Marine Aquarium Hobby (Part 1) - Associated Content (Parrothead)

An Introduction to the Marine Aquarium Hobby (Part 2) - Associated Content (Parrothead)

"Getting Started" - Mike Paletta

A List Of Good Beginner Fish

Fish To Be Avoided - I

Fish To Be Avoided - II

Your Aquarium Cleanup Crew

Corals

What They Are and How They Live

by J. Charles Delbeek

"They are mysterious guests from an exotic world. Unlike anything else we keep in an aquarium, they represent the essence of the coral reefs that we try to duplicate in our living rooms. Our success at this effort depends greatly on how well we understand these unusual life forms.

Unfortunately, for the average hobbyist, the increased availability of these animals is not matched by the information available concerning their biology and care. Too often, hobbyists know more about who manufactures their aquarium equipment than basic biological information, or proper identification of the animals they are striving to keep. And yet, without this information it is difficult to provide the optimum conditions that will allow them to grow and reproduce."

Answers to Everything!

Marine Aquarium Articles and FAQ's
WebMedia.com

Learn to Live With It

Adam Blundell M.S.

"...As surprising as it may seem your tank will look ugly at first. This happens to all new marine aquariums as they cycle through their initial filtration phase. Your tank may go brown, and then green, and then red, and then just look junky. It happens. Consequently the one coral you really want to keep may not live. You may struggle to raise the prize fish you originally intended to acquire. It's okay; just learn to love whatever is working for you. Remember, not only is this a hobby, but we are keeping living ecosystems. Special efforts should be put forth to enjoy and appreciate what we are keeping, whatever it may be. It takes time and patience to turn a glass box full of rock into a beautiful, thriving reef tank..."

]

[baugherb]

I had a 12 gallon dx. I had major heat problems. I now have the lights over a 5.5 gallon and took the 12 down.. Good luck with your tank.... I had ph problems at first....

[sweetriden76]

thanks for the replys, oncwe the tank shows up I'll make a run to "that fish place" which is about 45 minutes from here and get the nessecary stuff to start the tank cycling, I was planning on letting cycle at least 6 weeks from what I have read even if the levels are correct before that...Also with LR do you have to do anything like acclimation with it?, should I put the water and sand in and get it upto the correct temp before putting the rock in there? like I said Im new to the whole reef thing, I used to also have a 75 gallon freshwater cichlid tank so the hobby isn't new just the reef part of it, I am definatly taking this slow and keeping a watchful eye on it. I can see how such a diverse ecosystem on such a small scale could be very fragile...oh is there anything that would need better lighting, like will I be able to have an anemone, eventually I would like to have an anemone with at least one clown, maybe a firefish and a small goby, a pair of clowns(especially black ones)would be awesome

[reef_guru]

welcome

[wastemanagement]

welcome to the 3reef,
Good luck to you