Newbie needs help!

[chibbycheezcake]

Hello everyone! I am new to saltwater. I used to have various tanks housing African Cichlids and wanted to venture into the saltwater world and I am hoping to get help here.
I am on a budget and I am looking into a 26 gallon "clear for Life" acrylic tank. I noticed a very small opening but I fell inlove with the tank. My question is, can I do with a hang in the back filter or do I need a canister? Can anyone please let me know what I will be needing to set up a small nano tank. I am thinking rocks with fish or small mini reef with a dwarf lionfish????? Will await replies on advice as to how I should go about this new venture.

 

[fishhead80]

Yeah u can do a HOB filter or a HOB protein skimmer. HOB filters u can look at Aqua clear 50. They are about $30-$50. Comes with a pump and filter media. U can use the media it comes with or u can put Macro algae and attach a mini led light on top of it. Lots of brands when it comes to skimmers. Don't get a cheap skimmer cuz u'll end up getter a better one later. u can check out an Aqua C Remora HOB protein skimmer. . Set up is pretty easy. They go for about $200-$300. I have a Aqua C EV-120 on my 90g and it worked great. Ran for 4 years problem free. Ppl don't usually use canister filters in saltwater cuz of water quality problems but if u clean it often like twice a week u should be fine it. Although I never used a canister filter so I wouldn't know from personal experience. Sorry if all this sounds confusing.

 

[fishhead80]

I ran a 30g dwarf lion fish tank for about a year with no problems. All I had for filtration was 40lbs live rock and a refugium with macro algae in second chamber and a sponge in the first chamber. I had a fuzzy dwarf lion fish , fu man chu lion fish and red angler. All messy eaters and I had no problems with nitrate or anything. I took it down after about a year cuz It was a pain in the but to hand feed everyday.

 

[beth]

Do you know what kind of system you want to set up? Nano reef, fish with live rock, etc? Setting up a refuge with macros is always a good idea, and I would do that before ever using a canister. However, if you want to limit everything to just the tank, that can be done as well.