View Full Version : Starter Kit?
BryanW3535
07-21-2003, 12:47 AM
I have been doing a lot of research through this site and many others and want to make my first tank SW. I am on a tight budget and want to know if this starter kit is a good deal:
"Its BIO-Wheel filters up to 250 gph, and the light/filter combo operates nearly silent, requiring no space behind the aquarium. The included two 5500°K fluorescent bulbs are enclosed in a clear, water-protected housing...
29-gallon Eclipse Show Glass aquarium, Eclipse 3 Hood, submersible aquarium heater, digital thermometer, 3 lbs. Instant Ocean Synthetic Aquarium Salt, hydrometer, fasTest Master Test Kit, water conditioner and instruction booklet."
Is there anything here I don't need or need a better model of?
Also, what are good species to start my first SW tank with? Something hardy but fun.
OrionGirl
07-21-2003, 8:58 AM
For some fish, that setup will be fine. However, corals and photosynthetics probably won't do well--not enough light.
Live rock and live sand are highly recommended, and I wouldn't put any media in the filter chamber. You may want to look into a protien skimmer--they improve water quality significantly.
For fish--look into smaller gobies and basslets. Avoid mandarin dragonettes (often called mandarin gobies), and scooter blennies (also in the dragonette family). A dwarf angel would make a nice centerpiece fish, but research first and avoid the sponge obligate feeders. Shrimp, hermits, snails, and crabs will all be great. I can almost gaurantee that the LFS will tell you to get damsels--don't. They are territorial little buggers, and will harrass and kill any other fish in such a small space. Clowns--in the damsel family--vary in size with species, but usually confine their aggression to other clowns, or fish invading their chosen host (rock, shell, mushroom--they do not need an anemone and I don't recommend an anemone in your tank).
HTH.
saddlebroke26
02-23-2008, 5:27 PM
did you have luck with the eclipse and do you know if you can change out the bulbs to give enough light for corals?
Why do people always say that an anemone shouldn't be in a 29G tank? I agree, the lighting needs to be better, but the size is fine if that is the only big thing you want in the tank. You just have to give it a lot of room or else it will sting everything else around it. Do you see anything wrong with this anemone that has been in my tank for about 6 years now?
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2369/2270508762_9b74db3973.jpg
And VAFB huh OrionGirl? Lived out there for 18 years, worked IT for the base for 8 years.
clawlan
02-23-2008, 6:11 PM
first tank as a SW huh? usually when you have a first tank, you learn a lot of hard lessons, loose fish, etc. SW is really going to cost you, especially the price o the fish. sure you don't want to reconsider a nice freshwater?
Why do people always say that an anemone shouldn't be in a 29G tank?
Due to the size that many grow to when in a healthy environment.
We will just have to agree to disagree on that. My neighbors long tentacle rose anemone is in a 75G tank for the same amount of time and is the same size as mine. Mine looks much healthier than his though.
I am pretty sure mine is in a very healthy environment. I have these tests though if there is any you want me to run right now.. CA, Strontium, Iodine, Silicates, Phosphates, Ni/Na/Am/PH/Alk/Mg/SG/Temp ;)
OK, we'll disagree. I just don't find an anemone that grows to about 20" in diameter is suitable in a nano. :huh:
And I don't consider a 29g tank a nano. Also, you are grouping ALL anemones in the same size? Here is my Anemone and it is about 12" fully extended:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/condyanemones.htm
Condylactis gigantea, the Giant Anemone. Largest species in the range (6-12 inches in diameter when extended).
My Anemone/maroon clown as babies 5+ years ago. (Yes, that is a yellow tang that went back very quickly)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2380/2264482670_acde21e3f9.jpg
And now:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2400/2233276237_e77f1299b1.jpg
Amphiprion
02-23-2008, 8:07 PM
That is simply because yours is one of the smaller species available. The popular "hosting" species get significantly larger than that. Most reach a minimum of 20", with others getting much larger. I don't think smaller tanks can maintain adequate water quality for such a large animal, especially considering how much food many of them require.
As far as those tests go, most of those are negligible. There are actually only a few parameters that actually affect anemones to any real extent--pH, temperature, salinity, alkalinity (some say calcium, but I have never noted that, myself). The others are almost meaningless when it comes to keeping these animals "happy."
So, then say, you can only have the smaller species anemone, don't say "No, a 29G is too small for an anemone".
Also, my Maroon clown hosted with my anemone within 10 minutes of placing the anemone in the tank. I have always wondered if it is the type of anemone that matters, or the individual clown when it comes to hosting. Others in my reef club have "hosting" anemones but their clowns still host in other things like colt corals, frogspawns, etc, but not the anemone. Seen many different experiences like that.
Amphiprion
02-23-2008, 8:26 PM
Well, both matter to an extent. You are dealing with probabilities. The probability of a maroon clown hosting in a bulb tip anemone vs. a Condylactis is skewed. That certainly doesn't mean that the clown absolutely won't accept it, but rather, the chances are lower. Of course, this all depends upon the clown. Who knows what each individual will do.
And I don't consider a 29g tank a nano.
30 and under is a nano to me
Also, you are grouping ALL anemones in the same size?
Of course not, but the ones people ask about as hosting anemones tend to be the larger ones. I went by the 20 inch diameter based on the species you listed in the event you were comparing two of the same kind. I don't consider your neighbor's lack of success to be a good variable because I know nothing of his tank other than size.
Here is my Anemone and it is about 12" fully extended
Condy isn't what I would consider a hosting anemone or a wise choice for those daring mixed reefs.
Well, my tank will prove otherwise then won't it? Mine is a full reef, has a condy, is under 30g, and is hosting.. and I don't believe I sat there with a stick and forced the anemone to play nice or the clown to host with it.. it just happened.. very quickly.
Well, both matter to an extent. You are dealing with probabilities. The probability of a maroon clown hosting in a bulb tip anemone vs. a Condylactis is skewed. That certainly doesn't mean that the clown absolutely won't accept it, but rather, the chances are lower. Of course, this all depends upon the clown. Who knows what each individual will do.
Exactly. Best chance of success would be to match clowns to the type of anemones you typically find them hosting in the wild and success experiences in captivity. But bottom line is that is the general rule not a guarantee. However, I'd sure take it as a good guideline and tell someone that chances are their clown won't use a condy as a host. Additionally I'd warn them the condy might make a meal of it if it is much larger than the clown. A maroon wouldn 't concern me as much because of their size, but even then the odds aren't there that they'll select the condy. Could it happen, yes. Does it happen, yes. Do I think the odds are in favor of it, no.
Well, my tank will prove otherwise then won't it? Mine is a full reef, has a condy, is under 30g, and is hosting.. and I don't believe I sat there with a stick and forced the anemone to play nice or the clown to host with it.. it just happened.. very quickly.
One instance is not proof. I'm glad you had a good experience and I think it is great you are here to share it so people can get a different vantage point. But I still believe your experience is outside the norm of what I'd consider to be common in a successful mixed reef.
What are you saying? One instance of a nuclear bomb exploding isn't proof they exist? Come on! Your seeing it with your own eyes, it IS proof. It may not be the "norm", but it most certainly is proof.
I'm not trying to say a clown with certainly host with it. The only point I was trying to make is you CAN have an anemone in a 29G tank successfully. Maybe not a rose BTA, but you can have a condy.
Sorry, but I look at it with a scientific perspective and one istance isn't proof in science.
EDIT: Hit the submit button too soon. What I'm trying to say is that it doesn't provide adequate support that it should be done. I can keep a yellow tang thriving in a 55g reef for most of a year, but I certainly don't consider it proof that it should be done or that it can continue to be done even in my instance.