returning to the fold

brizmatt

Registered Member
Oct 11, 2006
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before children I had a fish only marine tank (3ft) for eight years which I had little trouble with. I decommissioned due to risk of children toppling tank. I have just brought the tank out of storage and am looking at starting up again. I was always fairly conservative, 5/6 small fish plus 2/3 crabs/shrimps and minimal live rock. I previously used a filter that hung on the side that had built in protein skimmer (gave it away) and this was successful but am looking at options for a tank with a conservative amount of critters.

Is it possible to recommission with just a cartridge filter and a couple of powerheads to assist movement? I have been perusing the forums but there seems to be conflicting information. I do 15/20% water changes every month. What do ya reckon?
 
If you are looking for a more low cost tank, you could go bare bottom, have adequate amount of LR and some powerheads. What you are trying to achieve is water movement throughout the entire live rock aquascape.

You can then do weekly water changes of 10% removing detritus from the tank.
If you wanted a small filter you would want to be cleaning it atleast weekly otherwise nitrate will build up.

Other option is a Deep Sand Bed, a 6 inch sand bed where there is anaerobic bacteria that feed on nitrate.
 
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