New tank

[barett]

I am going to set up a new tank in August. I have done lots of research and I was just wondering if I got it correct.

From what I understand I need:

30 gallon tank
Marine salt
Filter (from what I read I can use any 30 gallon filter)
Hydrometer
Protein Skimmer (is there a certain one that I should look for??)
substrate (any particular one??)
power head
test kit

I am wanting to keep clown fish and hermit crabs for sure. Is there anything else I could put in there with them??

Finally, what else am I missing that I need??

[Drumachine09]

Do you want to do a FO, FOWLR, or a FWCLR?

[barett]

I am thinking of adding some live rock in there. What is FWCLR??

[Drumachine09]

I am thinking of adding some live rock in there. What is FWCLR??


Fish with coral and live rock

Did you want corals? or just LR?

[barett]

I have read that coral will be too hard for a beginner to deal with. So I am probably going to shy away from that. I may get an anemone when I get a little bit more experience.

[Drumachine09]

I have read that coral will be too hard for a beginner to deal with. So I am probably going to shy away from that. I may get an anemone when I get a little bit more experience.

No anemones for beginers, they are dificult.

If you can get about 120 watts of light, you could do some easy mushroom corals. The more wattage the better. You want at least 6500k, and 10000k is better.


You are missing lights, do you have any? What watts?

[barett]

I do not have lights yet. I will add that to my list of things to buy. So, there are some easy corals then. I will research some of them if you will give me some names.

Ok, I will stay away from anemones, that will be no problem. How much live rock should I get. I read that it is 1lb per gallon, but I dont like the look of lots of rock in the aquarium. Can I add some other decor that I like that will serve the same purpose??

I am trying to get all the info before I start.

[Drumachine09]

I do not have lights yet. I will add that to my list of things to buy. So, there are some easy corals then. I will research some of them if you will give me some names.

Mushroom corals are easy too keep. They are hardy, and dont require a ton of light and current. They are usually very cheap, and when you grow one big, you can cut it into 8 different peices, and it will regenerate so you can have 8 instead of one. I just bought a purple one yesterday, and i love it

Ok, I will stay away from anemones, that will be no problem. How much live rock should I get. I read that it is 1lb per gallon, but I dont like the look of lots of rock in the aquarium. Can I add some other decor that I like that will serve the same purpose??

Yes, 1 lbs per gallon, is good, but its better to have at least 2 per gallon. With marine, alot of rock is the way to go, IMO, using decorations in a salt tank is kinda hokey looking. You might like it, but no thanks for me. I dont have any LR besids the half a golf ball sized chunk that came with my shroom, but i have some dead rock, and i plan on finding some LR

I am trying to get all the info before I start.

THAT IS A GREAT IDEA!

[barett]

Thanks

Does everything else of my list look alright??

[Drumachine09]

Thanks

Does everything else of my list look alright??

Yeah, but for personal reasons, i wouldnt get a clown. I wouldnt be able to stand everyone saying, "look, its nemo!" everytime they saw my tank. I would go with some bluegreen chromis'. I wish i could find some around here though.

[barett]

LOL...ok. My favourite fish has been the clown fish ever since I was little. So that was far before Nemo, as I am 23. So I am fulfilling my dream of having a saltwater tank with clown fish.

Can I put the blue green chromis with clown fish?? If not, what can I safely put in there with clown fish and hermit crabs?

[Drumachine09]

LOL...ok. My favourite fish has been the clown fish ever since I was little. So that was far before Nemo, as I am 23. So I am fulfilling my dream of having a saltwater tank with clown fish.

Can I put the blue green chromis with clown fish?? If not, what can I safely put in there with clown fish and hermit crabs?

From what i have understood, bluegreen chromis are among the most friendly and beautifle reefsafe fish. I ahve seen pictures, and the are nice. her is a pic of one.

Another fish, is the yellowtailed damsel, but he is agressive, so be careful. I will put a pic of my yellow tailed damsel and the mushroom that i got this weekend.

[barett]

Awesome, what size of tank do you have??

[cocoa_pleco]

i got my clown, and everyone says "i found nemo!" its annoying


condylactis are pretty easy in my opinion.


the rule for live rock is 1.5lbs/G

[Drumachine09]

i got my clown, and everyone says "i found nemo!" its annoying


condylactis are pretty easy in my opinion.


the rule for live rock is 1.5lbs/G

There isnt really a set rule for how much live rock you put in a tank. 1 pound per gallon is just a guidline, kinda like the speed limit.


I have a 10 gallon.

[barett]

what exactly does the live rock do?? If I get less than 30 pounds for a 30 gallon aquarium is it not going to work?

[Drumachine09]

what exactly does the live rock do?? If I get less than 30 pounds for a 30 gallon aquarium is it not going to work?


technically, you dont need live rock. the rock itself is not alive, but it is alive in the sense that it is cover and filled with many micro/macro organisms, and small animals like mantis shrimp and bristle worms. It helps to filter your tank, and it also provides a food source for some fish.

[barett]

Oh ok, but is it imperative to have 30 pounds in a 30 gallon tank?? I will have some, but I am unsure if I want that much in there

[Drumachine09]

Oh ok, but is it imperative to have 30 pounds in a 30 gallon tank?? I will have some, but I am unsure if I want that much in there

Its pretty much go big or go home. When you have a reef tank, and dont have it packed with rock, it doesnt stand out from freshwater tanks. I would do at least 30 pounds, but its up to you. You dont have to have any. You could get like 20 pounds of dead base rock, and then put 10 pounds of live rock ontop of it. Over time, the LR will seed the DR and you will have 30 lbs of LR

[barett]

What is base rock??

Thanks for all the help.

[Drumachine09]

What is base rock??

Thanks for all the help.


Base rock can be 1 of two different things.

1.) dead coral skeletons. The white rock in the picture below
2.) Live rock that has bacteria on it, but not all of the pretty coraline algea. Most people buy this type to put in the bottom of their rockstacks because its cheaper, and why should you pay 10-12 dollars a pound for a rock that you wont even see? The same applies pretty much to #1

[barett]

Oh ok, that may work. Now all I need to do is buy the stuff and get it ready. But that wont be till august :(

[Drumachine09]

Oh ok, that may work. Now all I need to do is buy the stuff and get it ready. But that wont be till august :(


Why not? Its good that you are doing research before you buy though.

[barett]

I am in university, so when I start up again next year I will buy and set up. I dont have the room right now to do so.

I am doin research so early so I can find out what I need to know and find out the best deals on stuff I need to buy.

[Drumachine09]

I am in university, so when I start up again next year I will buy and set up. I dont have the room right now to do so.

I am doin research so early so I can find out what I need to know and find out the best deals on stuff I need to buy.


Smart idea!

[barett]

Have you bought anything online?? if so , where from?

[Drumachine09]

Have you bought anything online?? if so , where from?


Im not a fan of online buying, but a good site is:

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[barett]

alright..ill check that out.

[Drumachine09]

alright..ill check that out.


I was just looking at the corals, and i have a spotted coral. Take a look at some of the other shrooms on the coral page.

[barett]

are corals mainly just for decor?

[unleashed]

are corals mainly just for decor?
Yes and no. Most peoples sps corals turn brown which is hardly decor. For best coral colours (decor), you will need to go the Berlin method or Ecosystems method (highly debateable but I'm using it for the new set up). Some corals also help clear out small organic particles from the water. Again, as I have said once on this forum and many others, they just add biodiversity to the tank.

[Chrona]

Blue-green chromis are a schooling fish I believe. You need a group of them for long term health

Lighting should be 50% actinic and 50% 10000k lighting. Or 10000k+ metal halides with actinic supplementation.

[Drumachine09]

Blue-green chromis are a schooling fish I believe. You need a group of them for long term health

Lighting should be 50% actinic and 50% 10000k lighting. Or 10000k+ metal halides with actinic supplementation.

I am now apart of a reef forum, and they say you dont need actinic. But it does have a nice feel to it.

I was told i could get two chromis and id be fine. Sadly the closest SWFS doesnt have any, so i would have to go ALL the way downtown to the more specialized LRS.

[barett]

why is the lighting so important?? If I have a FOWLR do I need the lights?

[Drumachine09]

why is the lighting so important?? If I have a FOWLR do I need the lights?


LR needs the lights if you want to keep the small soft corals and coraline algea.

[Chrona]

I am now apart of a reef forum, and they say you dont need actinic. But it does have a nice feel to it.

I was told i could get two chromis and id be fine. Sadly the closest SWFS doesnt have any, so i would have to go ALL the way downtown to the more specialized LRS.

Huh, I'll be darned :)

[barett]

alright, that would make sense. I will add that to my list as well lol

[Drumachine09]

Huh, I'll be darned :)

True story. The say it will help with the symbiotic algea that lives within the coral, but its not necasary.

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[Chrona]

Though I find it interesting that every single light fixture (non metal halide) made for reef tanks has about 50% actinic lighting :P

[Drumachine09]

Though I find it interesting that every single light fixture (non metal halide) made for reef tanks has about 50% actinic lighting :P


The proof is in the pudding. It looks really neat though. When i come into a shoot load of money, ill get better lights, hopefully with some actic. I like the look. It simulates a deep ocean feel.

[Chrona]

The proof is in the pudding. It looks really neat though. When i come into a shoot load of money, ill get better lights, hopefully with some actic. I like the look. It simulates a deep ocean feel.

Heh, told you my area of expertise pertained to plants ^_^

[unleashed]

LR needs the lights if you want to keep the small soft corals and coraline algea.

Not necessarily. LR does not need powerful lighting unless you have sps corals, lps corals or clams. Soft corals only need small amounts of light and little current to thrive. Coraline algae also doesn't need too much light - just current.

If the LR is in a FOWLR, then don't invest the money in Halide or T5HO lighting unless you plan to go into reef keeping later on down the track.

[unleashed]

I was told i could get two chromis and id be fine

Don't bother. two chromis will kill each other. I presume you are wanting to place them in you 10g? Your one blue damsel is enough in there. Adding to extra fish will severely increase the bioload on your tank which will increase the likelihood of a tank crash.

Back to the chromis. You should never keep chromis in a tank which is less than 50 gallons unless they are by them self. I am only saying this because you need a school of about 6-10 so that they can get a hierarchy within the school, and the aggression is spread out.

[barett]

So if I am starting out with some LR, some clown fish, and some hermit crabs....what type of lighting is the basic, and what lighting would you use?

[unleashed]

So if I am starting out with some LR, some clown fish, and some hermit crabs....what type of lighting is the basic, and what lighting would you use?
I need some dimensions and long/short term plans for your tank.

[barett]

The tank I am looking at is 30 gallons. Roughly 36X18X12. I will have it set up for 10 months, then will be moving it and setting it up for a long time (no set time frame). I want to start out with clown fish, some hermit crabs, and perhaps another animal that can be put in there. Then I was thinking about having some artificial anemone in there.

[unleashed]

is that 12 or 18 deep and are you looking at any corals?

[barett]

18 deep. It was mentioned that mushroom corals are nice. I have not looked outside of those because I was not told any other.

[Drumachine09]

18 deep. It was mentioned that mushroom corals are nice. I have not looked outside of those because I was not told any other.


Im sure there are other nice corals. I only suggested mushrooms, because i was told that they are cheap, and easy to keep.

[barett]

how big do the mushrooms get?

[Drumachine09]

how big do the mushrooms get?


I have no idea. I think it varys from species to species.

[barett]

I guess that would make sense.

[unleashed]

how big do the mushrooms get?
BIG

If you want an anemone in a small tank, you can't have any corals to begin with until you know how big the anemone will get and when you know it has made its mind up as to where to stay. For lighting, I would probably go for a 2 or 3 bulb T5HO fixture, 1 marine white and 2 marine actinics. Or a 150W 14k MH pendant placed about 18" off the surface of the water. If you go for either you should not have a lid. Also, high flow is a must. 2 TUNZE Nanostreams 6045's or 6055's will suffice.

If you decide to corals and no anemone, get two bangaii cardinal fish. mine breed all the time. This is my pair

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[Drumachine09]

BIG

If you want an anemone in a small tank, you can't have any corals to begin with until you know how big the anemone will get and when you know it has made its mind up as to where to stay. For lighting, I would probably go for a 2 or 3 bulb T5HO fixture, 1 marine white and 2 marine actinics. Or a 150W 14k MH pendant placed about 18" off the surface of the water. If you go for either you should not have a lid. Also, high flow is a must. 2 TUNZE Nanostreams 6045's or 6055's will suffice.

If you decide to corals and no anemone, get two bangaii cardinal fish. mine breed all the time. This is my pair




Gourgeous fish!

[unleashed]

They are awesome fish.

[Chrona]

The proof is in the pudding. It looks really neat though. When i come into a shoot load of money, ill get better lights, hopefully with some actic. I like the look. It simulates a deep ocean feel.

Actually I just realized something. While you may or may not need actinic for a reef, there is not doubt it is beneficial, so if bulbs are the same price, why not get it? lol.

Ha, my advice was valid! ;P

[Drumachine09]

Actually I just realized something. While you may or may not need actinic for a reef, there is not doubt it is beneficial, so if bulbs are the same price, why not get it? lol.

Ha, my advice was valid! ;P

Im afraid that ship has sailed. I already said it was beneficial.

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[Chrona]

Im afraid that ship has sailed. I already said it was beneficial.

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

Right, but I told him to get a 50/50 mix and you said actinic was not needed :P

Epeen +1

[barett]

Those fish are gorgeous....can they be put with clown fish?

[unleashed]

Those fish are gorgeous....can they be put with clown fish?
yup. just be careful with the size and type of the clowns. These will eat any small fish/invert. Bangaii cardinals only grow to about 3" so most clown sizes shouldn't be a problem. Also, don't get more than one bangaii cardinal unless they are a mated pair - they will kill each other. Luckily mine are mated and I have successfully reared the young.

[unleashed]

Here is another pic of my bali brain coral

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

I have submitted that and my pic of the bangaii cardinals for POTM

[Chrona]

:18:

Well, might as well pack up and go home. You win for this month ;)

[barett]

Is it easy to tell if they are a mated pair??

[unleashed]

Is it easy to tell if they are a mated pair??
not really. I just saw two at the lfs that were sticking close together so i decided to buy both. I will try to find a pic of the babies

[unleashed]

not really. I just saw two at the lfs that were sticking close together so i decided to buy both. I will try to find a pic of the babies
thought that as i was looking through my fish photos, I should add a few more to tickle your taste buds

This is my mystery wrasse (cost me/parents the equivalent to $250USD):
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

Male Bangaii Cardinal with babies (look in its mouth. they are mouth brooders):
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

Baby bangaiis (managed to sell them all - no losses):
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

:)

[Drumachine09]

thought that as i was looking through my fish photos, I should add a few more to tickle your taste buds

This is my mystery wrasse (cost me/parents the equivalent to $250USD):
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

Male Bangaii Cardinal with babies (look in its mouth. they are mouth brooders):
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

Baby bangaiis (managed to sell them all - no losses):
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]



:)



well, i guess i quit the picture and tank of the months contests. We are all screwed. Those baby pics are awesome!

[unleashed]

don't feel too bad. It takes me about 50-60 shots to get photos like that.

[Chrona]

Luckily you can only win TOTM and POTM once a year ^_^

[unleashed]

don't worry. I sure I have some pics that could take TOTM as well. I will post some more of my pics on my website.

[barett]

Wow, all those pictures are gorgeous.

[unleashed]

Wow, all those pictures are gorgeous.
C'mon all of you! What ones do you think i should enter for POTM. I am definately putting either my bali brain or the bangaii cardinal pair.

[barett]

I think the cardinal pair is the one to pick for sure.

[CaptainKid]

If you want really solid info on setup, check out these guys.

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

They have tons of info on setting up new tanks, complete with lighting requirements, rock, flow, etc...

150w MH lights for a 30 gal. tank (5 watts/gallon) just to keep soft corals is not entirely necessary. You will need to watch the heat real close, or get a chiller (for several hundred bucks). Not to mention Metal Halide lights are super expensive. That kind of light is generally needed for SPS & LPS corals. For just about all soft corals, including mushrooms, etc... you could go with VHO or PC lights, at about 3-5 watts/gallon and achieve just about anything you want other than SPS & LPS corals. For those, you will need up to 10 watts/gallon (for SPS).

Check out Vivid, read some articles, and experiment. In this hobby, you can ask a thousand questions and get a thousand different answers.

... No, I don't work for Vivid Aquariums, I just find that their website is full of very solid, useful information. They are also really nice people.

Just my 2 cents.

Good luck with everything. :thumb: