Will this set-up work?

[jaws22]

I just set up a 35 gallon hex tank and am in the process of cycling the tank. I have a few questions...
<1> I have a marine sand substrate (not live) and was planning on putting about 30 pounds or so of base rock from my lfs that I can get for $1.25 per lb. Would it be better if instead of all base rock I used some live rock? What type of lighting is required to keep "live" rock? I am setting up a fish only tank so I just have the regular single light strip that came with the tank.
<2> I know I cant keep many fish in this tank. Does this sound like too many fish? Two Percs, a small angel (flame or coral beauty), maybe a royal gramma, and a small cleaner shrimp. If that is too much maybe I could skip the Royal Gramma?
<3> I have set up a Cascade 700 canister filter. It has Matrix chips and filter floss in one compartment, and carbon and filter floss in the other compartment. It is rated for tanks up to 65 gallons. Will this alone be adequate filtration for my tank? If not what else should I get?
Thanks!

 

[stumpdog]

Jaws-
1. How much sand do you have in the tank? Are you going for a DSB? You will need some live rock not a lot but some. Someone else can give you a better idea on the actual amount. I know on my first tank I had I only put 5lbs in my 55 gallon and it spread to the other 20 lbs of base rock. I am not sure on the exact amount of lighting you will need. A general rule of thumb is 3-5 watts per gallon. However you could do a search on lighting and see that many people disagree with this. I am new to the board so I am learning all the time.
2. I don't know.
3. I believe if you are doing a DSB you may not even need that canister filter. Have you thought about buying a protein skimmer?
HTH.
Jeremy

 

[beaslbob]

1) could make your own rock and really inexpensive but that would take a few weeks to cure. I would add all the macro algae you can get your hands on. Also i recommend that you let the system run for at least 3 weeks to let any fish borne parasites (ICH) die off. Then add fish. Your lighting would probably be acceptable for fish but way too little for corals.
2) Wait at least 6 months for the angels -- I lost three flames by not waiting. To cycle the tank you might try plain old freshwater mollies.
3) filter is probably fine. Lotsa macro algae really helps too. only problem is that fish (like the coral beauty) like to eat it.

 

[jaws22]

Thanks for the info guys.
Anybody else have any advice?
I am especially interested in opinions regarding my fish wish list and if there are minimum lighting requirements for keeping live rock.
Thanks.

 

[birdy]

I wouldn't put any type of angel in a 35 hex. they can be delicate and they need more room than that, most fish need more horizontal space to swim in and a hex is more vertical. you will be okay with two percs and a royal gramma, and a cleaner. As far as LR, it is okay to get some baserock but I would go 50/50 if I were you and seed your sand bed with some live sand or some gunk from the bottom of your LFS's curing tanks. As far as lighting is concerned with a FOWLR you do not need super lighting, you can go with NO but I would put a good quality bulb in it. If you have a double bulb fixture get a10k bulb and a actinic if you just have one bulb get a 50/50.

 

[jaws22]

I saw a 20" long, 96 watt pc light hood at my lfs the other day. It has two built in fans to keep it cool. It costs $125. Would it be worth the money for this lighting? Again, I do not really want to keep corals. Just fish and maybe live rock. Any benefit to this lighting for me?

 

[jaws22]

Another question ...
Should I have a clean up crew or is that for reef tanks?

 

[birdy]

If you do not want to keep corals, I do not see the need to have expensive lights just get some good quality bulbs.
Clean up crew can be for any tank, they help clean up the detritus and algae. I like, turbo snails and scarlet hermits, nassarius snails for the sandbed, and fighting conch.

 

[jaws22]

Thank you Birdy for taking the time to respond to my questions. I really appreciate your help.
If I were to add that 96 watt PC lighting would that be enough light to allow me to try any Anenome or corals that my Percs may host in? (I found it at another pet store today fo only $96 vs $126) I am tempted to get it.

 

[fishy88]

i would get a skimmer

 

[birdy]

I agree on getting a skimmer,
As far as lighting the problem with a hex tank is that they are tall, most lights that you would get (unless you went MH) would not be strong enough at the bottom of your tank. You maybe could put some mushrooms in with the 69w pc's. Some clownfish have been known to host in Hairy mushrooms. I would not recommend an anemone, they are very delicate and require strong lighting and good water quality.