Setting up first tank in nearly 12 years

**pickle311** · 09-15-2016

I recently moved here from Austin and I've decided I want to give the reef tank another shot. I tore down my last tank back in 05 I believe. I had a custom 120g that was SPS dominated. This time I'm going smaller with a 50g rimless cube. I had been eyeballing this style tank for several years and found someone local selling one for a great price just before I moved.
I have the vast majority of my equipment already, tank, lights, skimmer, pumps. Still need a few things though and looking for some suggestions. I know what I used in the past, however technology has advanced since then. I'm not fully up to date on everything.

First thing is I need a heater. I used a titanium one before and will likely go that route again. What brands are good now and what should I avoid? Obviously accuracy is important. I want one that will control itself. I want to simplify this tank and I'm going to try running it without a controller. I had the Aquacontroller on my last tank and I just don't want to mess with that this go around.

Salt. What is everyone using for salt now? I was using tropic marin pro before, I can't even find it now. I'd prefer to use something I can pick up locally and not have to order. I'm completely open to suggestions here. I'd like a salt that requires as little dosing as possible to get Ca and Alk where they need to be for SPS.

Sand. I'll probably just grab a bag or 2 of some off the shelf live sand. I know it's expensive for what it is and it's not needed, however I haven't been able to find sand I like that's dry. I think I want to go with bimini pink. My wife saw that and said she liked it better than everything else I was finding. Happy wife, happy life. I'm open to suggestions though. Again my preference is to buy locally, but not mandatory. Amazon Prime is a thing of beauty.

I also need a mount for my light. I'm running the AI Hydra 26 over it. I'm going to try to hit Home Depot and Lowes this weekend to see if they have some extruded aluminum that I can engineer into a serviceable mount. If not, do any local fish stores carry AI mount rails?

I'm located in the Spring/Woodlands area, but work has me going all over the city. So going by any fish store on the other side of town is not an issue for me typically. I'm taking my time and trying to do things right, but I'm getting anxious to fill this tank up. I'd really like to see water in it by the 1st of October.

Thanks for any input

**reeftopia** · 09-15-2016

welcome back, went thru a 20 yr break myself.

**Clownfish Chris** · 09-15-2016

Welcome back, welcome to Houston, and more importantly welcome to Marsh! I use Reef Crystals. the Alk is high initially but it worked for me. I believe it is a good choice for small frequent (like daily) water changes. With alk that high, you may not have to dose for a while. I have all but stopped doing water changes and am using a dosing pump to control levels. I will be upgrading to a Carx at some point when all my frags are colonies. I have seen some great tanks that use IO.

**johntdaballa** · 09-15-2016

All LFS have ai mount rails. Correction Fjw and ocean life are the only 2 places I know about. I have a lot of Lps and sps tank currently using fritz salt mix. Has been good haven't had to dose anything.

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**Buckeye Hydro** · 09-24-2016

When you're ready for the RODI setup let us know and we can walk you through what would fit your situation best.

Russ

**Wingnut** · 10-07-2016

I also use reef crystals and cal. , Mg. And Alk. Always good and I do weekly 10%water changes

**sneezebeetle** · 10-10-2016

Welcome back to Houston and to Reefing!

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**Paul Buie** · 12-27-2016

I use reef crystals as well. The main things that changed are lighting, in tank water movement, and control of equipment over the Internet. Welcome back to the hobby! I took about a 7 yr break myself.