Help Brand new!!

K

kahlua

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Feb 11, 2010
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Hey Guys Im brand new here and just starting out my first tank. Ive read a ton and just wanted to ask some true pros what I should do. Heres my story.

So I went into a shop looking at some setups thought awesome Ill go with standard 20gal startup tank hoodlight etc included.. Then we got to looking around find this awesome wave front aquarium with a stand to for a good deal. Thought awesome of course there is no light on it or anything. With the tank there is no top either its open top which we think is really unique and beautiful. Thing is there is no rim around the top just at the back corners for support.

The guy set me up with a marineland 280 bio filter. Jaegar 100 watt heater. The chemicals I need , salt included. I will be going back this weekend for live rock and sand etc. Figured I would get the tank up and running first off - pump in there heater etc.

Im terribly scared of fires my biggest phobia. Ive read about the the drop loops etc and not to put plugs on the ground so I figure as long as Im careful I should be okay. (do you guys know about alot of aquarium related fires?)

For lighting I was looking at the marineland double led light because the cost and the way it sits on the tank. Which im a little concerned with because on the front of mine is basically a glass edge only. Ill post a picture here waiting on camera to charge.

I read online that sometimes when the dont have the edge all the way around they may break which scares the hell out of me is this true?

Our goal is to just have a few clown fish in there, coral would be way in the future once I learn how to do it with live rock etc. So not something in the near future at all.

Do you guys think I should maybe go with a submersable heater in like a plastic maybe? We really like the open concept seems really sweet to look from the top and see the water so we like that part of it. Is it safe to have it open? Do you guys think the marineland led will be enough light?
He did the measurements and said the tank was 25gallon probably a little bit more than that because the wave front. Do you guys think the weight may break the aquarium due to no edges on the front?

Do you guys think I may be better to tackle this later and do a 20gal first?
I am still within range to return anything I have basically just bought it one day ago.

http://www.bigalsonline.ca/BigAlsCA/ctl3664/cp17949/si4461231/cl0/doublebrightledlightingsystem1824

Link for the light I really like

Thanks in Advance guys for eveything,

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In my opinion and experience, it's not really necessary to have a drip loop at all, unless you have a continuous splashing on the surface and near the cords. You can create a drip loop to prevent a electric shock on your plugs, however I have gone without drip loops for years and I have never had a incident. However, don't take my advice for granted;do what you please. I don't do it as of now but I plan to in the future.

A submersible heater would be great for your tank, but since you already purchased a glass heater, let's just use it;but don't forget to plug out the cord.

To sum it all up, keep the heater until it fails then get a submersible heater like Stealth, and buy the lights for your tank, create a drip loop if you wish, but it's not really necessary imo, it is only necessary when you have a tons of tanks racked up...

Good luck.

-Will
 
interesting tank, you shouldn't have a problem with breaking unless u drop it or something... The bigger the better for saltwater so this is a good idea. Ive never had a fire, but can understand and would recommend just putting you plugs up higher then you would normally, let there be an upward slope on the wire, youll be fine. This is an expensive hobby, so be ready to spend $$$ on this. You will need live rock to start with or your tank will be harder to care for. You will find that SW is not as hard as u think, and is totally worth any work/$$$ you put into it.
 
Sweet thanks guys much appreciated for all the info, Im finding the money is going very quick this is true everyime I look I want something bigger and better haha. I thought the tank looked kinda neat and I like the open concept Im jsut hoping it doesnt make the water more difficult to work with you know. Sorry for the sideways pictures. Ill make sure to loop them to. you think that light will work?
 
as long as it fits the tank then u should be fine.
 
Get a GFI (ground fault interrupter) outlet for your electrical stuff. You can get a 3-outlet multi-plug GFI at Lowe's or Home Depot. That should prevent any type of electrocution/fire problems. As soon as a ground fault is detected, the outlets will shut off. It is much faster and more sensitive than a circuit breaker.

I really don't think you'll need the Bio-wheel. It will probably cause more trouble than it's worth. If you don't have a sump, I'd go with a hang-on back skimmer instead. Along with the live rock and a good clean-up crew, that should be all the filtration you need. The biggest thing is to be patient and take things slow.
 
Something else not to do is go to the fishstore and see a cool fish and think "one more wont hurt". It never works out. Do research and make sure you can get the fish b4 buying it.
 
That's a sharp tank! Never seen one like that. If it were me I would take the biowheel back and go get a Aquaclear 110. The biowheels are not needed as your LR will be your main source of biological filtartion and when you remove the wheels the filter is loud. Aquaclears are very quiet and you can easily modify them into a refugium if you want to down the road. Also, you can get a surface skimmer attachment to go with the AQ filter which you are going to want to remove surface scum.

If you want corals you need more power than the marineland LED is going to provide. It will work great for a fish only tank though. If you want LEDs and corals look into the Panorama, Aquailluminiation, Elos or a number of DIY fixtures that others have put together. I think the Panorama or Elos fixtures would look sweet on your tank!

http://reefbuilders.com/2009/10/24/panorama-led-fixtures-ecoxotic/

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...ode=AI-C2D0003&Category_Code=AquaIllumination

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...oduct_Code=EO-EL-BLACK&Category_Code=Elos-LED
 
Hey guys thanks for all the tips! I just got home a few minutes ago. Seen your guys post and I cant tell you how thankfull I am to have met such an awesome bunch of people. I changed my heater to a 100w stealth but they only sent one suction cup with it . But when I asked to return my filter the guy told me that'll be a good thing to help move the water so I opened the package included with it now I dont think they will take it back. Darn :( im so bummed because it is huge.. Do you guys think they will let me take it back if i opened it? This place is going to hate me haha

I also bought that damned led light, I should have came home from work and read this first grrr
 
No worries. Didn't mean to bum you out. You can certainly use what you have to get started but I don't see any reason why you couldn't return both the filter and light or better yet exchange them if you want something else. The filter hasn't been used yet I assume.

Also, someone mentioned a HOB skimmer which is a good idea/alternative.
 
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