Back after 10 years

redrelyt12 · 07/07/2020, 01:25 PM

Hi RC,

Getting back into the hobby after 10 years off. I moved around quite a bit after college, so I gave my old 20 gallon tank to a friend. The black clown from 2010 is still alive and kicking!

I'm finally somewhere I'll be for a long time, so I took advantage of an Independence Day sale to buy a new setup.

I want to definitely take things slow and make sure I don't screw things up.

So here it is, an Aquatop RC-24ECO, 20 lbs of live sand, 20 lbs of CaribSea Shapes, and filled up with pre-mixed water from the LFS. Salinity is just over 1.021 - my guess is the LFS is getting every penny out of their pre-mixed water.

I've been using aquavitro seed to speed up the cycling, but will certainly get the water tested before adding any fish.

One thing I noticed is that the tank temperature is sitting around 83 degrees. The heater is set at 74, so is this just from the ambient temperature and light? Temperature in the house is 76.

I've been watching the budget build videos on SaltwaterAquarium's YouTube channel, trying to follow the steps correctly.

Tcook · 07/07/2020, 02:02 PM

Does that have an enclosed glass top on it? Hard to tell in that pick. If so, get rid of it. That will retain heat. You can also use a clip on fan.

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redrelyt12 · 07/07/2020, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tcook

Does that have an enclosed glass top on it? Hard to tell in that pick. If so, get rid of it. That will retain heat. You can also use a clip on fan.

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Thanks for the obvious hint that I somehow neglected to notice

The temps have started dropping a bit and I'll keep an eye on it. We do have a cat and I want to make sure he's not too interested in the fish. I'll have to get a wire mesh of some sort to keep him out.

Tcook · 07/07/2020, 03:23 PM

You can get one of the plastic mesh kits from Bulk Reef Supply

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Pfisherman · 07/07/2020, 06:17 PM

We want success!!

MarAquatic · 07/08/2020, 08:59 AM

Double check your heater if temps dont drop

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07/07/2020, 02:02 PM	#2
Tcook Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Visalia, CA Posts: 1,350	Does that have an enclosed glass top on it? Hard to tell in that pick. If so, get rid of it. That will retain heat. You can also use a clip on fan. Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

07/07/2020, 03:23 PM	#4
Tcook Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Visalia, CA Posts: 1,350	You can get one of the plastic mesh kits from Bulk Reef Supply Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

07/07/2020, 06:17 PM	#5
Pfisherman Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 10	We want success!!

07/08/2020, 08:59 AM	#6
MarAquatic Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 689	Double check your heater if temps dont drop Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk