The Puffer Forum

So I just got a 30g instant ocean tank today. Got a $250 tank setup for $100 New and got a $200 Oak Stand for $40 New. Was a crazy sale so I had to get them. Well the salinity is still balancing, but It's just regular sand, Air stone, Bio Filter, Heater and hood lights. I need to know when can I add the live rock/live sand and any other tips you may have. I have the hydrometer sitting in there so I can go in and check it whenever.

As soon as the SG stabilizes. What's a Bio Filter?

Pufferpunk wrote:As soon as the SG stabilizes. What's a Bio Filter?

sorry it has a BioWheel and it is a Marineland Eclipse Filter

Bad idea. That wheel will splatter salt spray on everything. You need a skimmer for SW, not a FW filter.

Pufferpunk wrote:Bad idea. That wheel will splatter salt spray on everything. You need a skimmer for SW, not a FW filter.

Well, I will be getting a Skimmer coming this paycheck. But luckily the entire filter is inside a 100% encased hood. There is no way it can possibly spray anywhere but inside the tank

It is still a FW filter, so unless you plan on just using it for chemical filtration or adding live rock rubble in there, it's useless to you.

Pufferpunk wrote:It is still a FW filter, so unless you plan on just using it for chemical filtration or adding live rock rubble in there, it's useless to you.

Yes, I am picking up live rock tomorrow after work....Will it still work decently with Skimmer and Live Rock?

FW media is considered a nitrate factory & totally unnecessary/unwanted for a SW system.

Pufferpunk wrote:FW media is considered a nitrate factory & totally unnecessary/unwanted for a SW system.

So better to just remove it and put on Skimmer and add Live Rock? Less WC if I am correct.

You got it!

Pufferpunk wrote:You got it!

Shouldn't be a problem. While it cycles should I keep the filter on though? Gonna produce nitrate but I have no fish in there yet

I add rubble (without the wheel) to HOB filters & also a bag of Purigen, for smaller tanks.

Pufferpunk wrote:I add rubble (without the wheel) to HOB filters & also a bag of Purigen, for smaller tanks.

Well, while I am waiting for that tank to cycle. Will Live rock contain the bacteria for eating ammonia to cycle faster and also will allowing more sunlight help the bacteria grow. First time cycling a SW....

Sunlight does nothing but grow algae. You don't need to add ammonia with live rock:
http://www.liveaquaria.com/general/gene ... pagesid=31

Pufferpunk wrote:Sunlight does nothing but grow algae. You don't need to add ammonia with live rock:
http://www.liveaquaria.com/general/gene ... pagesid=31

Thank You.