Starting a NEW tank NEED ADVICE! THANKS

[mc_fish]

Hi ya'll! I'm starting a 38 gallon salt water fish tank! I have purchased a 60 gallon eheim filter and already put live sand & rock in the tank along with one of those tubular heater things! I am using saltwater that I got from my LFS.. I am VERY interested in all of your genius thoughts/ideas!! If I just have fish & live rock do I need to have a prizm skimmer on the tank in addition to the eheim??? The LFS told me just the eheim would work alone since it's a 60 gallon filter on a 38 gallon tank but I'm skeptical.. As well do I need to watch calcium, carbonates, ph, magnesium levels even though I am changing my h20 with seawater from my LFS?? & how much of a pain in the ass is it to have a few corals in the tank and which light would you reccomend for corals? I currently have a R2 24" Signature Series Aquarium Moonlight.. I'm definitely going for the cool look with the least amount of upkeep! Your respnoses are GREATLY APPRECIATED!! Thanks!

 

[mopar9012]

You should get a skimmer, the only reason i think i wouldnt get one if i was keeping JUST corals. BTW i would trust your LFS, and as far as I know skimmers do different things.
How old is your tank? Have you cycled?
You need to get a test kit and test for pH0-8.2,alk-180-300 My alk test kit test differently than a lot of others,ammonia-0, nititrites-0 and nitrates-0. If you get into corals like SPS and stuff I would test for more but thats the basic.
Corals arent hard all you have to do is keep the water paremeters right and have lights(PC, T-5, or MH)

 

[marka1620]

Also, you should get some powerjets for circulation purposes. Have the jets wash over your living rocks.
I have a 47g tank (probably 39g water after rocks..etc.) with 40lbs. sand /45 lbs. live rock. I'm running a EHEIM filter in addition to 4 powerjets. My total circulation is probably around 1000 gph. Protein skimmer is next on my list.

 

[mc_fish]

Do I need a test kit for my tank even tho i have seawater from my LFS and change it on time with h20 from my LFS and my tank looks good?

 

[mc_fish]

btw my LFS said I don't need a skimmer if im just doing fish and live rock? But I defintiely think I need some powerjets! how many powerjets should I get for a 38 gal tank with almost 30 lbs of live rock! can you reccomend a good powerjet? thanks

 

[ice4ice]

WOW !! Not a surprise your lfs owner giving you bad advice already. Why ? He's looking to get a sale and don't care if you succeed or not. Yes, you do need a skimmer. Yes, you do need a test kit; PLUS a whole lot more than you realize. But before you get in too deep, please read and research all you need to know about SW keeping. Start reading The Conscientious Marine Aquarist by Fenner. This is an expensive hobby and you need to slow down. Take it one step at a time and take it slow. Patience is the key to a successful saltwater tank. From the sound of it you're rushing to jump into this.
As far as powerheads are concerned, get 2 of them (place one on each side of the tank for good flow).
Don't get a HOB filter - your Live Rock is your bio-filter.
Why do you want to get your water for water changes from your LFS ?
Invest yourself in a RO/DI unit and make your own saltwater.
As far as corals go, they're not a pain - just some need certain light requirements. Stick with beginner corals (zoos, mushrooms, polyps).
Oh yeah - tone down your language in these forums. Your statement "pain in the *** " is inappropriate.

 

[mopar9012]

i got some good advice....DONT LISTEN TO YOUR LFS. Just ask people on the boards, they will tell you want you need

 

[reefkprz]

dont buy "sea water" off your LFS you'll be buying used tank water, probably be putting in more pollution than you are taking out. mix your own.

 

[aztec reef]

first i would just try fish only with some liverock for about six months untill you decide if you wanna go reef and your tank matures a bit. Is not wether you need a skimmer or Not. Is wether your tank can handle your bioload with out it and what your rituals on maintanance are.. It takes TIME to achive the cool look...