Worried about my tank shape!

[Gribs]

Hi peolple, let me start by saying how pleased I am to find a website where you can get help from friendly aqaurium fans.

So hear is my concern: -

When I went to buy my first fish tank I couldn't stress enough to the staff that my goal was marine (fish only at first), and I realy didn't like tropical but understood the learning curve needed to keep marine. So with advice I now own an Aquaone AR620t (620mm wide x 390mm deep x 720mm height) it comes with everything you need for tropical, but have still added some moon lights, an additional 150w heater and an air bubble device that has 4 blue lights inside (blue bubbles, very nice). Anyway it has a blue background, blue gravel, 4 live plants and 18 small fish (various types). There is a large mangrove root in the centre with two easter island figure heads in the corners. It looks great and is doing realy well, I have only had a bacterial bloom when there was no fish at start-up.

Anyway my concern is this. The tank seems rather deeper then any others I have seen and I'm worried about the amount of marine fish it can hold as it has a smaller surface area.

I would like to stock it with 1 False Percula Clown or 2 Percula Clowns, 1 Blue Damsel, 1 Cleaner Shrimp, a Regal Tang and a Blue-Cheek Gobie.

Can I do this, assuming I can obtain the said fish and assuming after another thread or two that the fish can all live happily together.

Thanks in advance

Gribs

[mogurnda]

The tank is definitely an odd size, but can be made to work. With some attention to making sure there is lots of circulation from top to bottom, you can make a nice marine tank from it. I currently have a 300X600X600 saltwater tank, and it's fine.

To give an idea of where you're starting from, what equipment have you got on the tank at the moment. I'm afraid you may end up wanting to get rid of the blue bubbler, because the splash from the bubbles will generate salt creep (crusty salt buildup). Do I understand correctly that the tank is currently freshwater?

To give yourself adequate circulation, two or more powerheads generating a total of 1200-2400 liters per hour will be a good start. A protein skimmer will be almost essential for aerating the water adequately as well as maintaining water quality.

Live rock is the most straightforward and natural biological filtration, and I hope some of the British members can chime in about sources over there.

The stocking plan is fine, except that the tang will fare poorly in a tank that small.

[Gribs]

Thanks Morgurnda

I am indeed freshwater at the moment, but will be changing to marine in the not to distant future. There's doesn't seem to be much going wrong with my current set up, so apart from routine maintence I'm not learning about any new problems.

I didn't know that the blue bubbler would cause that so ofcourse that will go, I have the new moonlights now and I can't begin to explain how wonderful that looks at night.

As I understand it now the blue gravel will go for either black or plain sand and I need the addition of a protein skimmer (any advice on that by the way seeing as its a deep tank?)

I can't remember what power head I have, I will look when I get home tonight. It did come with the Aqua One AR620T tank so I guess its good for the job, especially as the shop staff know I want to go marine........

I will not have a Tang then! but do you think a starfish would work well in my tank?

Cheers

[mogurnda]

Serpent and brittle stars do very well in tanks. The more brightly colored species fare poorly.

[Gribs]

Hi

My current power head is 550l/h so I guess i need to double up on that then!

I take it I still need to use the old filtration system and not just rely on the protein skimmer. Because if so I'm not sure where I am going to place the new power head. The location for an additional power head is currently the outlet for my built-in filtration.

[mogurnda]

On my tanks, I don't use any filtration aside from the skimmer and live rock. Have you got any specs for the built in filter? I looked around, but couldn't find any pictures or diagrams.

[Gribs]

I just looked on the internet and couldn't find anything specific either. I'll take a picture tonight and post it later......

It only says this about it "Complete with built in biological wet/dry filter" and I'm not sure what the dry bit is all about.

Thanks for your continued help! Dave

Later

[mysis]

When you say blue cheek goby do you mean one of these?

http://www.jonbondy.com/HomePage/SGoby015.JPG

if so don't get one as a beginner, they constantly dig and stir up the sand releasing the nitrates and making your sand uncapable of sustaining nitrifying bacteria, leading to high nitrates, but that could be fixed with heavy skimming. And some of the better hang on skimmers are: deltec mce600, aquamedic turbo flotor 1000multi, various coralife, remora pro, bubble kings, euro reef. Some of the very expensive $500 + other more affordable aroung $180-$200, if you can get second hand deltec mce600 i definately would, as they are arguably best hang on skimmers around, and you would have a chance to get it at a fraction of the price :).

[Gribs]

I did mean one of those yes, but that decision was based on the fact that I thought they helped clean the sand. Thanks for the correction there, and as you say I'm a beginner so I need the fish to help me to. I will have a little look around for a deltec mce600, thanks.

Great picture by the way, is it of your tank?

Here is mine at the moment

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=5570&stc=1

[mogurnda]

It only says this about it "Complete with built in biological wet/dry filter" and I'm not sure what the dry bit is all about.

Thanks for your continued help! Dave
Wet/dry is a very common and efficient form of biofiltration. It's usually a chamber filled with some sort of plastic medium, like bioballs, that water trickles over. Great for converting ammonia to nitrate. The downside is that the nitrate has nowhere to go after that. It can be used in a FOWLR tank, but many would argue that it's better just to take it out.

You're welcome, by the way. And Welcome to AC!