Re: Just checking....

F

freshsaltychick

Guest
Although I have a 125 gallon freshwater tank (2.5 years) I just started up a 30 gallon hex (2ft high and 10 inch per side) saltwater tank today. I am SUPER anal about my freshwwater tank (as I plan to be with my salt) and plan on executing the same regime...weekly testing and recording, bi-weekly 30% water changes (1/2 distilled, 1/2 tap), and 3 week filter media changes. On the new set up I have a 900 powerhead running mid-tank along with a fluval canister filter and a heater. I am using Instant Ocean salt and todays reading was between 1.023 and 1.024. The temp is 79F and nitrate/nirtite = 0 and ammonia = 0.25. I am cycling right now with 3 damsels and using pookah shell/fine sand substrate along with a large piece of coral for decoration. Even though I am super "fresh" to the salt game and still have much reading and reseragcing to do, I wanted to check with some real experts to make sure all sounds and looks good. What do you "smarty pants" think? ;)
 

revex

Member
Anywayz, Is a powerhead needed in a 30gal tank? The filter itself should be creating enough current for the whole tank, since it so small...
But what do I know... im still a Peppermint Shrimp :p
 
F

freshsaltychick

Guest
Thanks for the replies, I was begining to wonder if it was an East Coast/West Coast thing :D Anyhow, the reason I didn't get any live rock or sand is because I was told it is harder to keep and shouldn't be used by beginners. When you say it's more matenience do you mean because I have to clean it with a gravel washer while with live I wouldn't? Also, the reason I have the powerhead in there is for ample circulation. The canister filter creates a current at the very top with a jet, but I placed the powerhead in the middle of the tank to get the lower regions and bottom. Theres a nice current in there, not too strong and the fish sit in the coral if they want to "relax". So no 30% water changes in salt? I plan on putting a max of 5 or 6 small fish (less than 3 inches) - will that be OK to do a 5gallon wc with that stock? Another question I had was should I have any type of air pump in a salt? Thanks for all your help guys!
 
Top