Ok, i think im ready for salt water. Need help!

M

Mooch28

AC Members
Dec 24, 2004
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Toronto (Brampton)
Hey guys,

Well, my 72 gallon heavily planted is looking great, and really there isnt much left too do in it now, except admire it and trim plants weekly. :D

I need a new challenge so, im getting a 20 gallon from my uncle free, which has a hang over the back filter. My question is, can i use that filter and this tank and turn it into a mini salt water tank. I wont be doing a reef tank, but rather just live rock, but ive got a few questions.....

1. What exactly are live rocks, and do they require much light?

2. Will i have too get a powerhead for water movement?

3. Can i grow any corals at all in this tank if i get lets say a light that gives off just 17 watts of light?

4. How expensive is marine food compared too freshwater food, and can i feed some fresh water food such as frozen bloodworms and frozen brine shrimp?

5. Crushed coral gravel or sand, and is there any difference?

Also, what are some nice, small, yet colourful fish to start with, and what about a cleanup crew?

Some fish ive looked into and thought about for stocking......

1 Kaudern's Cardinal (3 inch max)
1 Ocellaris Clownfish (3 inch max)
1 Firefish, Helfrichi (2.5 inch)
1 Royal Gramma (3.0 inch)
3 Skunk Cleaner Shrimp (2 inch each)

Hows the compatibility their, and how am i on stalking levels?

Im new too salt water, so please forgive me if im overstocking.

Also, any links would be great for newbies too saltwater like me!

Thanks.
 
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Well, if you wanted a challenge, saltwater can be just that.

A hang on filter will work but you may want to consider upgrading to a canister or a wet/dry. Saltwater fish make alot more mess than fresh water.

Live rock Is either harvested from the ocean or cultured. It is live in the sense that it contains many of the critters that inhabit them in the ocean. They also contain lots of the beneficial bacteria that help with the nitrification process. As far as I am aware, there is no minimum lighting requirements for only live rock.

Good flow is important in a saltwater tank, so a powerhead won't hurt. You may also want to look into a protein skimmer.

Some corals do well in low light, but as a rule, figure on 5 watts a gallon minimum for corals.

The cost difference in food is minimal, depending on what you feed. You can use brine shrimp and bloodworms for saltwater.

If you are going with live rocks you might as well use live sand as well. Same as above, harvested from the ocean and contains all those critters and bacteria. As far as the pro's and con's of each, I can't really say but maybe someone else can give you a better idea.

As far as stocking your tank, you have pretty much hit the limits for a 20gal with that wishlist of fish. Damsels are a good fish to cycle with but be wary, they can be aggressive and are very, very hard to catch without taking everything out of your tank. I have noticed, and this is just my take on it, that the prettier and more desirable the fish, the harder they are to keep. so don't buy fish based on the fact that they are pretty until you get some experience and research each fish. It has also been my experience that fish stores are more interested in making the sale than selling you compatible fish or fish that you can get to live more than a week. Not only is it frustrating to lose fish, but it also put's a pretty good dent in your wallet compared to freshwater fish. I'm not saying this is true for all fish stores, but do your research.

I hope that I was some help. Good Luck
 
I think roadblock has given you some very good advice - I will just add this link - http://www.nano-reef.com/ - this is the main site that I got my info from when i set up my 25g reef tank three years ago - very helpful and I credit much of my success with my reef tank to this site.
 
That is some good advise. Although I wouldn't use damnsels to cycle with they are usually more trouble than they are worth I'd use ammonia or a cocktail shrimp or just uncured l.r. I'd also try to add the clown last to give your other fish time to get their homes set up first. I'd also avoid all the low light corals most of them really aren't easy at all . Another site I like is saltcreep.com it's not as busy as a.c. but, you get lots of personal attention.
hth
Chris
 
roadblock said:
Well, if you wanted a challenge, saltwater can be just that.

A hang on filter will work but you may want to consider upgrading to a canister or a wet/dry. Saltwater fish make alot more mess than fresh water.

Live rock Is either harvested from the ocean or cultured. It is live in the sense that it contains many of the critters that inhabit them in the ocean. They also contain lots of the beneficial bacteria that help with the nitrification process. As far as I am aware, there is no minimum lighting requirements for only live rock.

Good flow is important in a saltwater tank, so a powerhead won't hurt. You may also want to look into a protein skimmer.

Some corals do well in low light, but as a rule, figure on 5 watts a gallon minimum for corals.

The cost difference in food is minimal, depending on what you feed. You can use brine shrimp and bloodworms for saltwater.

If you are going with live rocks you might as well use live sand as well. Same as above, harvested from the ocean and contains all those critters and bacteria. As far as the pro's and con's of each, I can't really say but maybe someone else can give you a better idea.

As far as stocking your tank, you have pretty much hit the limits for a 20gal with that wishlist of fish. Damsels are a good fish to cycle with but be wary, they can be aggressive and are very, very hard to catch without taking everything out of your tank. I have noticed, and this is just my take on it, that the prettier and more desirable the fish, the harder they are to keep. so don't buy fish based on the fact that they are pretty until you get some experience and research each fish. It has also been my experience that fish stores are more interested in making the sale than selling you compatible fish or fish that you can get to live more than a week. Not only is it frustrating to lose fish, but it also put's a pretty good dent in your wallet compared to freshwater fish. I'm not saying this is true for all fish stores, but do your research.

I hope that I was some help. Good Luck
Click to expand...


Thanks roadblock. The fish ive choosen though, are they ok for a begginer. As for my stocking, you say im fully stocked, but will weekly 30% water changes help keep thing in tact with the size of tank i have and fish?



Thanks again.
 
JMO, but that's overstocked. I would go with no more than 3 fish in a 20, and even then, it will require more maintenance. The problem with 'fully stocking' is that the tank is then on the edge of a problem constantly, and one little error can push it over. A power outage, accidentally feeding too much--missing a water change by a day or 2! For a beginner, keeping with a lower stocking level will make the tank healthier and more enjoyable.
 
OrionGirl said:
JMO, but that's overstocked. I would go with no more than 3 fish in a 20, and even then, it will require more maintenance. The problem with 'fully stocking' is that the tank is then on the edge of a problem constantly, and one little error can push it over. A power outage, accidentally feeding too much--missing a water change by a day or 2! For a beginner, keeping with a lower stocking level will make the tank healthier and more enjoyable.
Click to expand...

Ok, so lets say i go with..

1 Ocellaris Clownfish (3 inch max)
1 Firefish, Helfrichi (2.5 inch)
1 Royal Gramma (3.0 inch)
3 Skunk Cleaner Shrimp (2 inch each)

Would i be ok to get away with weekly water changes, and have some room for error? Also, what do you mean be "more" maintanaince, more water changes?

Also, someone told me too ditch a HOB filter, and just have 1.5 pounds of live rock per gallon. Any suggestions here? I dont see how having the filter may hurt.
 
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