new 30 gallon ?'s

[choog]

Hi, i'm new to the board but have been reading and researching for the last month. i just got a 30 gallon tank and stand from a friend and now i want to start an aquarium. i have some questions on what i need. i'm going to buy a protein skimmer.
I want to get a couple of clownfish and a flame angelfish. eventually an anemone for the clowns but i probably cant afford the lighting. i'll have live sand and about 22 lbs of live rock.
i dont think i need a heater cause i live in Texas. i'm not sure what else i need for filtration (undergravel filter?)
is it necessary to get a refractometer or will a hydrometer do fine?
do i need any powerheads or anything for water moverment? it will be FOWLR but i would like to slowly add anomones and coral (or is it bad to do this after the fish are already in the tank?)
any help would be appreciated. thanks

 

[mandarin w]

I would have a heater, I know Texas nights can get chilly, down to the 40's maybe even 30's in the winter. That may cause the temp to drop in the tank, Get it, put it in your tank, If it never has to pop on then you save on your electric bill. If it pops on then good thing it was there. Just a security blanket.
On a 30 gal, (I probly isn't drilled), I would get either an emperor 280 hang on the back filter, or a nice canister filter. Never, never do under gravel filter on saltwater tank!
No you do not have to use a refragmeter, Just those are better. but the deep six will do the job. (kind of like riding a bike to work or driving. Both will get you there. just depends how you want to go)
Yes, Yes on the power heads. They keep the water moving in the tank, and help eliminate dead spots. That is how people end up with problems in the tank. In a 30 gal you could probly do a maxi jet 1200 nicely.
You can add corals after the tank is set up and running, Just make sure you have an ideal up what you plan on getting down the road, so you fish purchases will acomadate future plans.
Even though you plan on FOWLR right now, you plan on anemone and corals down the road. and with that you will need good bright light for them, mainly the anemone. I would not waste money buying cheap lights now, then others later. Just get the lights you wil need down the road now and save the money from buying two sets of lights. I would think and nice T-5 fixture or a little 150MH with some actinic's fixture would work wonderfully on this. You could look at some Corallife, or other companies make some choices for you.
Hope this helps.

 

[cyclops]

A Skimmer would be fine I have a CSS 65 skimmer for my 30G and itis great.
I would go with a refractometer they are more accurate especially later when you get into corals. A maxi jet power head would be good for water movement. and yes on the heater even in Texas it may get to cold for fish during winter. I lived there for 5 years "burrrrr". Try to look around for lights I have 36" MH/PC for mine. So to sum it all up here is what I suggest before you add any fish
Skimmer
Heater
Powerjets
more live Rock (LR)
refractometer
Lights metal halids (MH)
I hope this helps

 

[bill109]

Originally Posted by mandarin w
I would have a heater, I know Texas nights can get chilly, down to the 40's maybe even 30's in the winter. That may cause the temp to drop in the tank, Get it, put it in your tank, If it never has to pop on then you save on your electric bill. If it pops on then good thing it was there. Just a security blanket.
On a 30 gal, (I probly isn't drilled), I would get either an emperor 280 hang on the back filter, or a nice canister filter. Never, never do under gravel filter on saltwater tank!
No you do not have to use a refragmeter, Just those are better. but the deep six will do the job. (kind of like riding a bike to work or driving. Both will get you there. just depends how you want to go)
Yes, Yes on the power heads. They keep the water moving in the tank, and help eliminate dead spots. That is how people end up with problems in the tank. In a 30 gal you could probly do a maxi jet 1200 nicely.
You can add corals after the tank is set up and running, Just make sure you have an ideal up what you plan on getting down the road, so you fish purchases will acomadate future plans.
Even though you plan on FOWLR right now, you plan on anemone and corals down the road. and with that you will need good bright light for them, mainly the anemone. I would not waste money buying cheap lights now, then others later. Just get the lights you wil need down the road now and save the money from buying two sets of lights. I would think and nice T-5 fixture or a little 150MH with some actinic's fixture would work wonderfully on this. You could look at some Corallife, or other companies make some choices for you.
Hope this helps.
sounds like your off to a good start and mandarin w is right
i have a 30 and have a 280 penguin and my skimmer has a 1400 rio + on it so i think that im pretty set and i as well need to buy lights

 

[choog]

thanks guys, the info so far helps a lot. i just picked up the aquarium(it has been stored in an attic, but no leaks) i was curious on the best way to clean. should i just use soap and water or can i use chemicals like windex.

 

[choog]

i have a question on live sand. . . .there's the Nature's Ocean Live Sand thats like $55 for 40 lbs and theres Premium Live Keys Sand thats $110 for 40 lbs.
whats the difference. . . .i would like the cheaper since i'm a college student, could i get by with it

 

[mandarin w]

Stop Right there, and drop the soap!!!!!
Don't clean your tank with soap, it is very hard to get the residue all out, and the ligering effects of soap can cause issues in your tank. And never use windex to clean you glass, even on the out side of your tank. just use clean fresh water, and a clean rag.
To clean your tank just use vinigar. Yes it stinks, but man that stuff can clean your salt water equipment like no bodys business.
As far as sand goes, you will get as many opinion as there are reefers on this site. But I can just give you mine.
When ever I set up a tank I like to start with fresh new sand, for a 30 gal "I" would get 40 lbs of non live bagged sand. clean it up, and put it in the tank, ( I used bagged sand because it is cheaper than live, you will be getting Live Rock which is a must, that alone will start the seeding of your tank.) Then I would find about 40-45 lbs of live rock. Get your RO/DI water and fill the tank up. and let the cycle begin. It will take a few weeks. If you want the cycle to start faster, you can put an uncooked cocktail shrimp in the tank for a few days. Never start the cycleing of a new tank with additives or chemicals or a live fish (damsels). It is alway best to try and keep chemical out of your tank, only add when and if you need them. and as far as starting a cycle with a live fish, not only is this creul and inhuman. It is a real B*t** to get the little monster out of the tank down the road. And believe me you will want and need him out.

 

[choog]

glad i can get by without live sand. . . .that stuff is expensive. . ..thanks for all the advice, it helps a lot

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by mandarin w
Stop Right there, and drop the soap!!!!!
Don't clean your tank with soap, it is very hard to get the residue all out, and the ligering effects of soap can cause issues in your tank. And never use windex to clean you glass, even on the out side of your tank. just use clean fresh water, and a clean rag.
To clean your tank just use vinigar. Yes it stinks, but man that stuff can clean your salt water equipment like no bodys business.
As far as sand goes, you will get as many opinion as there are reefers on this site. But I can just give you mine.
When ever I set up a tank I like to start with fresh new sand, for a 30 gal "I" would get 40 lbs of non live bagged sand. clean it up, and put it in the tank, ( I used bagged sand because it is cheaper than live, you will be getting Live Rock which is a must, that alone will start the seeding of your tank.) Then I would find about 40-45 lbs of live rock. Get your RO/DI water and fill the tank up. and let the cycle begin. It will take a few weeks. If you want the cycle to start faster, you can put an uncooked cocktail shrimp in the tank for a few days. Never start the cycleing of a new tank with additives or chemicals or a live fish (damsels). It is alway best to try and keep chemical out of your tank, only add when and if you need them. and as far as starting a cycle with a live fish, not only is this creul and inhuman. It is a real B*t** to get the little monster out of the tank down the road. And believe me you will want and need him out.
Dead on