Least Impressive Newb Setup Contest!!!

jambo

jambo

Member
Hi,
I've been reading for a few weeks, finding out just how much I don't know and how cheap my setup actually is. Thought I'd finally post a few pics of my newb setup.
I had the blue damsel, 10 lbs of rock, and CC in the 20 for a few weeks. Bought another 10 lbs of LR and a black domino which promptly broke out in Ich. So, I promptly went out and dropped 50 bucks on a Hospital tank to save two $7 fish.
Anyway, everything's going in the HT for three weeks from now on before it goes in the real tank.
Getting paid tomorrow, so I'm probably going to add a AqauC Remora skimmer, glass canopy and dual light bar to the tank next week. After I get that (3x15W lights) all running smoothly, I might add a few Zoos or something and try to let them get settled before I put my fish back in three more weeks.
Looking to add a False Clown, and Blue Neon Goby, and some more LR over the next couple of months. If the Domino doesn't get along with the clown, I'll pull the Domino out and stick him in my roomate's 55. Same with the Blue Devil. Then I'll add peaceful fish in place of them. Like, Ghandi peaceful. Any recommendations? On fish? On setup? Anything?
Oh, and before you ask, yes that is the super sweet starter tank setup that you can buy at Wal-Mart. And yes, if I had it to do over again I would have bought a 30-40gallon. And no, I don't wish I had just bought a cube instead. I like my glass like I like my women. No curves whatsoever.





 
lion_crazz

lion_crazz

Active Member
I like the looks of your main tank! What size tank is that?
I would recomend raising the water line in your display. It would look nicer and there would be less bubbles.
What is going on with that QT though? What's with the cup??
 
jambo

jambo

Member
Thanks Crazz.
The Main Tank is a 20H from Wally World (69.99 + air pump + quality filter media). I just put the actinic bulb in yesterday and I'm planning on getting double light setup next week(1 actinic, 2 full).
The cup, the mason jar, and the vase are just in the HT to give the fish some impromptu environment to swim around in. They seem to like swimming in/around/through everything and it helps to keep the two damsels apart in a 5 gallon tank. It's dosed with copper to treat the Ich, so I can't put any LR in there.
 
lion_crazz

lion_crazz

Active Member
I would recommend getting rid of the air pump. They are unneccessary in saltwater, and sometimes, do more harm than good.
 
jambo

jambo

Member
Replace the Air Pump w/ a Powerhead to move some water? If so, what kind for a 20? Also, what kind of damage do air pumps do? Just to corals or negative effect on entire tank/water chemistry?
Thanks for the input.
 
lion_crazz

lion_crazz

Active Member
A powerhead would be much better, yes. What kind of filter are you running?
The negatives of an air stone/bubbler are:
-can get lodged in a fishes gills
-no GPH turns
-cause bubble algae
-cause stress to the fish (ICH or popeye)
-cause salt creep which in turn causes irregular salinity/SG
-when bubbles pop the water can get on your lights causing the life off your lights to decline rapidly,
Some periodic air bubbles are not harmful, but constant ones are.
 
nudilove

nudilove

Member
Originally Posted by JAMBO
I like my glass like I like my women. No curves whatsoever.


Glad to hear you have such a positive image of women.... >.> :mad:
 
jambo

jambo

Member
First of all, it was just a joke Love. Here's a little East Coast Math for you.
(Woman - Curves) = Boy.
Anyway, thanks for the feedback. I'll S_can the air pump before I put the fish back in and I guess I'll tack on another 20$ for a powerhead to the equipment order I'm placing next week. It is, after all, only money right?
Any other rec's on fishies or easy/cheap corals after I get the equipment set up?
 
hagfish

hagfish

Active Member
What kind of lights are those you are buying? They sound like NO (normal output). If so, I'd skip that and get some PC's if you're wanting corals.
 
mihifisi

mihifisi

Member
JAMBO. Where are you at in Charlotte?
On the East Coast humor, Its more of a Deep Southern "THANG"
Mix-A-Lot made them famous.
Plus I LOVE my woman w/ curves ( 36-24-37 )
Thanks,
D
 
jambo

jambo

Member
I live close to Carowinds on 49.
Thanks for the input about the lights, but this is going to be pretty much a FOWLR with maybe some zoos or mushrooms/possibly a sebae anemone eventually. I shouldn't need more than 45W of normal lights with quality bulbs for any of that stuff, should I? If so, I'll probably just keep it FOWLR. Even as crazy as I am, I've got a hard time justifying $115 for lights on a 20g tank.
Oh, and to answer an earlier question, the filter is an Aqua-Tech PF that came with the tank kit. I'm not sure what GPH it is, but I could probably find out. I bought a purigen filter bag as the debris filter and another type of filter to supposedly remove chemicals.
I've also got another PF that my friend gave me that's almost identical. I could slap that on too, but I'm hoping the Remora MJ1200/ PF/ water change combo will be enough to keep my water healty and looking sharp.
Yeah, LFS doesn't even ask about tank size/tank mates etc when purchasing anything. Nor can they answer many questions you might have about the same. They're pretty much useless for everything except taking large amounts of my money. For that, however, they are excellent. My Domino had ich on it from them even though they supposedly quarantine everything before reselling.
If anyone else is in Charlotte, I'd love to see some nice tanks and cool setups.
Later.
 
jambo

jambo

Member
That's a pretty sweet tank man. I like how the LR is stacked. I'm sure your fish likes to swim through it constantly.
If my Domino doesn't work out(too aggressive), I might pick up a firefish to replace him.
 
reefdude37

reefdude37

Member
Originally Posted by JAMBO
That's a pretty sweet tank man. I like how the LR is stacked. I'm sure your fish likes to swim through it constantly.
If my Domino doesn't work out(too aggressive), I might pick up a firefish to replace him.
Thanks alot man, That tank been through alot in a short period of time, but now its stableing out a bit. Yea, Firefish are great, but they can be jumpers

:happyfish Ben :happyfish
 
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