Staring a saltwater tank need approval.

[Fenix]

OK I've read lots of the posts in this section and have a pretty good idea of what I need to do.

This is what I m planning, i was hoping some SW experts can read this and tell that I'm on the right track or offer suggestions. Thanks!

TANK MATERIALS

Flooring
For the flooring I was going to use Crushed Coral or Aragonite. As far as I know they are the same thing, maybe someone can answer this.

Filtration
Filter: From what I read (Sticky) an actual filter (like in Freshwater tanks) is not needed? Really? What if I were too add one, would it help out or just make things worst?

Live Rocks: I also read that live rocks were used to filter (1-1.5 pounds per gallon). Should I just stick with live rocks?

Protein Skimmer: Will I be needing one of these? I read that they aren't needed for small salt water tanks. For a 20 gallon do you recommend me using one?

Water Movement
I know its important to move the water around so I thought I would get a power head or two. Anything you guys want to add to this or suggest?

Cycling
Add water (Probably Tap).
Chemicals: Cycle and Aqua Clear.
Salt: Whatever the salt package says to add. Use Hydrometer to check concentration.

Wait for a few weeks. Does anyone know how many?

Check. Temperature, Salt Concentration, Nitrate, Nitrite, Ammonia.


THE FISH I WANT TO RAISE

3 x Bangaii Cardinalfish
3 x lownfish (The Nemo kind)
1 x Snail or crab

Is that too many?

Any comments would be great! Thanks

[cocoa_pleco]

A) Argonite is far better than crushed coral
B) Yep, use a regular filter
C) Its always good to add a filter with the LR
D) For a 20g you dont need a skimmer
E) For corals you need 2 powerheads, Powerheads bring corals food and clean them
F) If you add a full stock of cured LR you dont need to cycle

You can get 5 hermit crabs, a pair of clownfish, and the cardinals.

Do you want corals? if so you should get about 150w of blue actinics/daylights

[Fenix]

Thanks for the help. Cool your'e from Edmonton. I'm from Calgary.

How much argonite do I need for my tank 20 gallons? Cost?
I'm not to sure about the ratio of live rocks vs. argonite. And how do I add them? Just like any other fish?

How do i clean the live rocks/argonite? Should I do the same as the freshwater by using that siphon tube that sticks into the ground? Won't it suck them (the creatures) up?

I decided on using a Fluval 4 Plus. Just checking if this is an alright filter to use. Since I have a small tank will this suck out stuff that i need?

On another note can the filter be seen as a power head also?

I'm thinking when you say Coral you are referring to the argonite and live rocks? Am I wrong? And with them I will need 150w of blue actinics/daylights.

One more thing. Do you have any suggestions on where to get this stuff in Calgary or Edmonton? Online?

[unleashed]

Hi Fenix and welcome to the salty section. The sticky at the top of this forum should give you some good base info on keeping marines.

I have a huge amount of answers to give you and just don't have time to answer you now. I will answer them in a day or so.

[Kuli_Loach]

Hello, here is how I do my s/w tank on startups:

29-30g tank preferred for beginners as more room for error. Buy a test kit before any other living things. Get a protein skimmer if it is this size or bigger. If you want a FOWLR or a REEF then get good lighting. It is always good to get equipment first. The next step is to get your salt and such. Live sand is what I use on the bottom and sprinkle a little crushed coral on top, if you set a layer of crushed coral it sets up like concrete and can cause pockets of poison to build up. Make sure to wash the coral good, the water will be like milk if you don't. Next is LR which you already said the right amount. I think I forgot to mention powerheads up in equipment but they are needed to, I use 2 per tank and in my 30g I use 3 and a protein skimmer. The first stocking you will need is snails and hermits but you will have to wait until your numbers go to zero, that is why you have the test kit.

[Rue]

...you're on your way!

BTW...it is ARAGONITE...not argonite...argonite is something else entirely...

[cocoa_pleco]

yep, edmonton all the way!

A) you should get 20lbs of argonite, should be about $20-$30
B) You dont really need to clean the argonite
C) the filter is fine
D) corals are those living jellyish things, like zoas, mushrooms, toadstools, kenya's, etc. Check out my thread in this section "got my corals", and you can see examples
E) for equipment, the Big Als store here, or Aquagiant are good. If you dont mind paying more Aquarium Illusions is good, i go there alot. If you want Corals cheap i got a shipment of frags from a guy in Lloydminister for more than half of the stores prices, and all shipped fine in the cold

[Fenix]

Thanks so much for your help. I've been doing lots of price matching on the internet and around town. I ll be sure to have lots more questions. Thanks!

[Rue]

...
A) you should get 20lbs of argonite, should be about $20-$30
B) You dont really need to clean the argonite
...

...bad Cocoa! Bad! Bad! Bad! :14:

[gm72]

Cut and paste from Wikipedia:

Argonite is the name-brand (a registered trademark owned by Ginge-Kerr) for a mixture of 50% argon (Ar) and 50% nitrogen (N2). It is an inert gas used in gaseous fire suppression systems.

Aragonite is a carbonate mineral, one of the two common, naturally occurring polymorphs of calcium carbonate, CaCO3. The other is the mineral calcite. Aragonite's crystal lattice differs from that of calcite, resulting in a different crystal shape, an orthorhombic system with acicular crystals. Repeated twinning results in pseudo-hexagonal forms. Aragonite may be columnar or fibrous, occasionally in branching stalactitic forms called flos-ferri ("flowers of iron") from their association with the ores at the Carthinian iron mines. The type location for aragonite is Molina de Aragón (Guadalajara, Spain), 25 km outside Aragon. An aragonite cave, the Ochtinská Aragonite Cave, is situated in Slovakia. In the USA, stalactitic aragonite is known from Carlsbad Caverns. Massive deposits of oolitic aragonite are found on the seabed in the Bahamas.

[cocoa_pleco]

oops, right, arAgonite. lol