Starting my first salt aquarium

bkweibley

bkweibley

New Member
Hello everyone!
This is my first post in the forum, I just found it 15 minutes ago actually! The reason Im posting is because I want to take the jump to a saltwater tank!
Ive read many times that bigger is better when it comes to salt, which causes the biggest issue for me. I live in a townhouse and while Id love to get a 75/90 gallon tank, but I dont have the space for a 48 inch tank. If I was able to find a corner tank that would be great, but the area im working with, is in the kitchen and a 46 gallon bowfront seems like it would fit best. If there is a corner tank where the sides coming from the corner were around 32" that would also fit well, does anyone know if there is a corner tank with those approximate dimentions?
Some fish that have really caught my eye has been the flame angel, mangerin goby, and a very neat looking shrimp, would I be able to safely keep them all in a 46 with liverock, or is the 46 just to small?
As far as what I actually need for setting up the tank itself, im curious what the difference is between a canister filter and the traditional type hang off the back of the tank filters that I have used in the past? Also I would also need a protein skimmer, and power heads? Any info on that stuff would be great as I realy know nothing about them.
As far as the actual water itself goes, I know that I have very hard water, is there some type of water purifier out that I can use to ensure that my water for the tank is good, without going out and spending thousands on on of those units that you install in your home?
Browsing Youtube I found a 46 gallon that someone had that I thought was setup with live rock very nicely, how much live rock do you think is in here? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYOCWTaH69Q&feature=related Also I saw that there are many different types of live rock that I can buy, are the locations they come from really the only difference, or are there actually benefits to different locals?
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by bkweibley http:///t/393228/starting-my-first-salt-aquarium#post_3496677
Hello everyone!
This is my first post in the forum, I just found it 15 minutes ago actually! The reason Im posting is because I want to take the jump to a saltwater tank!
Ive read many times that bigger is better when it comes to salt, which causes the biggest issue for me. I live in a townhouse and while Id love to get a 75/90 gallon tank, but I dont have the space for a 48 inch tank. If I was able to find a corner tank that would be great, but the area im working with, is in the kitchen and a 46 gallon bowfront seems like it would fit best. If there is a corner tank where the sides coming from the corner were around 32" that would also fit well, does anyone know if there is a corner tank with those approximate dimentions?
Some fish that have really caught my eye has been the flame angel, mangerin goby, and a very neat looking shrimp, would I be able to safely keep them all in a 46 with liverock, or is the 46 just to small?
As far as what I actually need for setting up the tank itself, im curious what the difference is between a canister filter and the traditional type hang off the back of the tank filters that I have used in the past? Also I would also need a protein skimmer, and power heads? Any info on that stuff would be great as I realy know nothing about them.
As far as the actual water itself goes, I know that I have very hard water, is there some type of water purifier out that I can use to ensure that my water for the tank is good, without going out and spending thousands on on of those units that you install in your home?
Browsing Youtube I found a 46 gallon that someone had that I thought was setup with live rock very nicely, how much live rock do you think is in here? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYOCWTaH69Q&feature=related Also I saw that there are many different types of live rock that I can buy, are the locations they come from really the only difference, or are there actually benefits to different locals?
Hello and welcome to the site.
You can keep a flame angelfish in as little as a 30g tank, the mandarin is a fish that requires a ton of copepods just to survive, and would be happy in a 30g as well as the shrimp.
Okay...to keep a mandarin you will need a refugium to breed the pods, and you will have to wait about a year for the pod population to reach the point to keep one fed.
Now for the filter...both types can be used, the BEST filter system would be a sump, that way your little space will have extra water volume, a good section for your refugium, and a way to hide equipment so it isn't seen or taking up space in your little tank. You will also need a couple of small power heads to help move the water...The wave is the life of the ocean, so we mimic the wave by using power heads. You will need a protein skimmer but not right away, wait about 3 months before you really need one, and even then it isn't a must have item...but I do recommend one. You will also need a refractometer or hydrometer to check your SG (salt level)
RO (reverse osmoses) water filter units do not cost thousands of dollars, they actually cost about $200.00. You can also get RO water from your local grocery store., my Walmart sells RO for 37 cents a gallon.
All that matters about live rock is that it's live rock, and getting rock with the purple coraline is a plus.
 
geridoc

geridoc

Well-Known Member
Hi! Welcome to the site. What Flower said is 100% correct, as usual. I would add to her comments that, while the 46 bowfront tank is not considered to be a large tank, it is not very small. The idea of "bigger is better" really refers to the stability of the system. A 12 gallon tank can very quickly go bad, while larger tanks will have an inherent resistance to change (and change is bad in fish tanks). Your stocking ideas afe good, in terms of visual appeal, but both fish you mention will very much appreciate a mature tank. AS Flower said, the mandarin needs large numbers of copepods, at least until you can train it (if possible) to take other foods. My mandarin takes prawn roe, so I don't worry about sufficient copepods, but still refresh my sump periodically with a fresh supply of breeders. A flame angel also likes live, diverse rock, so that might also wait until your tank matures. If you confine yourself to fish that, as adults, are small, you will find plenty of very attractive and personable fish to add to your system. Don't rush, except to get a RODI unit since the quality of your water supply underlies everything else - bad water=bad tank. Keep asking questions - there are lots of amazingly well informed people on this site.
 
bkweibley

bkweibley

New Member
Where can I find a good RODI system? The more cost effective, the more I can put into the tank itself of course :)
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by bkweibley http:///t/393228/starting-my-first-salt-aquarium#post_3496801
Where can I find a good RODI system? The more cost effective, the more I can put into the tank itself of course :)
I have personally been enjoying the ReefKeeper Elite Typhoon III (3) 75gpd unit on Air Water Ice... Good solid built construction, cheap filters and besides the initial cost of the unit, you don't really spend a lot of money on the water or filters themselves. Besides, no matter if it is a quality unit or a cheap ole' throw away unit, you still have to purchase good filters to keep it going. Why not buy quality the first time around instead of buying dirt cheap throw away mess before buying a quality unit? It will save you a lot of money in the long run buying quality first....
 
geridoc

geridoc

Well-Known Member
I've had my AWI Reekeeper for so long I don't know what model it is, but it has been great - highly recommended, reasonably priced, and replacement carts are reasonable too.
 
bkweibley

bkweibley

New Member
I came a cross a 50 gallon setup on craigslist for sale, and im curious what you guys think. Its a freshwater setup, but they claim the light is powerful enough for salt, would this light and filter be adequate, if so it would save me quite a few pennies on my startup costs :)
-50 gallon glass tank $200 FIRM
Full Set up Including:
wood stand (black finish)
glass lids
4x39w Nova Extreme T5HO fixture w/ 3 Lunar lights (powerful enough for saltwater)(This is a $300+fixture!)
Aquaclear 70 filter (1 year old)
heater
driftwood
plant substrate
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by bkweibley http:///t/393228/starting-my-first-salt-aquarium#post_3496929
I came a cross a 50 gallon setup on craigslist for sale, and im curious what you guys think. Its a freshwater setup, but they claim the light is powerful enough for salt, would this light and filter be adequate, if so it would save me quite a few pennies on my startup costs :)
-50 gallon glass tank $200 FIRM
Full Set up Including:
wood stand (black finish)
glass lids
4x39w Nova Extreme T5HO fixture w/ 3 Lunar lights (powerful enough for saltwater)(This is a $300+fixture!)
Aquaclear 70 filter (1 year old)
heater
driftwood
plant substrate
Hi,
Glass lids, the driftwood and plant substrate are all toss outs for SW tanks.
That means for $200.00, you would get a USED 50g tank, a HOB filter (sump system is best for SW tanks) and T5HO lights, and the stand. The light is $300.00 NEW....remember this is a used light.
So you have to ask yourself some questions as to if it's worth the price.
What kind of fish do you want?...50g is not very large when it comes to SW.
Do you want corals and what kind?...these lights are low end strength for corals, which means Kenya tree, mushrooms, and maybe some leathers.
If you go for this deal....You still need the following:

  • At least 2 power heads

  • Live rock or base rock...about 35 to 40 pounds

  • Sand or crushed coral for substrate

  • Skimmer
    new bulbs for the light
    Refractometer or hydrometer
    SW test kits (lab type)
    A canopy to match the stand if you want a clean fancy look
So only you can answer if you think it's worth it...or go for a better deal. Personally, I would look for the tank already used for SW, that way the equipment, while used is at least what you can use yourself. Lots of folks who are selling out practically give away everything when you consider the price of live rock.
 
bkweibley

bkweibley

New Member
I found a light for sale on craigslist, 36" so if I do go with a 46 gallon it would be the right size. Its a t5ho 4 lamp light with 4 led moonlights. It has saltwater bulbs 2x 39W T5 HO lamps 10000K 2x 39W T5 HO lamps Actinic Blue. They say they bought it to turn their 40 gallon tank into a salt tank but decided to use a larger tank instead so now they dont need this light. They say it was never even used and are asking $75. These are a couple hundred dollars usually arnt they?
 
pezenfuego

pezenfuego

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by bkweibley http:///t/393228/starting-my-first-salt-aquarium#post_3497054
I found a light for sale on craigslist, 36" so if I do go with a 46 gallon it would be the right size. Its a t5ho 4 lamp light with 4 led moonlights. It has saltwater bulbs 2x 39W T5 HO lamps 10000K 2x 39W T5 HO lamps Actinic Blue. They say they bought it to turn their 40 gallon tank into a salt tank but decided to use a larger tank instead so now they dont need this light. They say it was never even used and are asking $75. These are a couple hundred dollars usually arnt they?
Make him show you that it works and then buy that bad-boy.
 
pezenfuego

pezenfuego

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by bkweibley http:///t/393228/starting-my-first-salt-aquarium#post_3497070
So that is a really good deal then? Also is that light mainly for if I get corals, or do the fish need it no matter what?
Quote:
Originally Posted by bkweibley http:///t/393228/starting-my-first-salt-aquarium#post_3497070
So that is a really good deal then? Also is that light mainly for if I get corals, or do the fish need it no matter what?
I swear these things have gotten cheaper. So it isn't as fantastic a deal as I initially thought, but if it's new, then that's not bad (I'll throw you a link in pm). You are saving at least 100 bucks. Fish do not need the light, but corals will. It's your choice. Even if I was going to do a FOWLR tank, I would get a brighter light. It just makes the tank look nicer imo.
 
bkweibley

bkweibley

New Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by PEZenfuego http:///t/393228/starting-my-first-salt-aquarium#post_3497078
I swear these things have gotten cheaper. So it isn't a fantastic deal, but if it's new, then that's not bad (I'll throw you a link in pm). Fish do not need the light, but corals will. It's your choice. Even if I was going to do a FOWLR tank, I would get a brighter light. It just makes the tank look nicer imo.
N00b question, what is FOWLR?
 
geridoc

geridoc

Well-Known Member
If the light is not absolutely nib, you should assume that the bulbs have been used to the point that their spectrum has shifted. For FOWLR this is no bog deal, but for photosynthetic corals the lights may not suffice. Check the price of replacement bulbs before you proceed (do it while sitting down).
 
bkweibley

bkweibley

New Member
I have another question, this time about live rock. If I understand correctly, live rock plays an important part in helping keep a salt tank ecosystem in balance. If I understood correctly live rock contains micro organisms that help to do this? I found someone selling "live rock" from a tank that he is no longer using (water drained) so the live rock is now dry. Will this live rock no longer serve its purpose, or will it still work just the same when placed in my tank? He also has live sand, same situation.
 
pezenfuego

pezenfuego

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by bkweibley http:///t/393228/starting-my-first-salt-aquarium#post_3497442
I have another question, this time about live rock. If I understand correctly, live rock plays an important part in helping keep a salt tank ecosystem in balance. If I understood correctly live rock contains micro organisms that help to do this? I found someone selling "live rock" from a tank that he is no longer using (water drained) so the live rock is now dry. Will this live rock no longer serve its purpose, or will it still work just the same when placed in my tank? He also has live sand, same situation.
Don't buy it. It is essentially base rock now. The only difference is that it will add a source of ammonia.
 
bkweibley

bkweibley

New Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by PEZenfuego http:///t/393228/starting-my-first-salt-aquarium#post_3497450
Don't buy it. It is essentially base rock now. The only difference is that it will add a source of ammonia.
Pretty much the guy is offering a 90 gall bowfront, sump, lights, heater, rock, sand, and stand for $250. Seems like a steal to me, even if the rock and sand are junk. Should I tell him to keep the rock and sand, or should I take it and have some use for it somehow?
 
geridoc

geridoc

Well-Known Member
Pretty much the guy is offering a 90 gall bowfront, sump, lights, heater, rock, sand, and stand for $250.  Seems like a steal to me, even if the rock and sand are junk.  Should I tell him to keep the rock and sand, or should I take it and have some use for it somehow?
Take the rock and use it, especially if it looks good. It isn't live, so you will need some true live rock and over time your base rock will become "live".
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top