Help.... new SW tank possibly

[AndrewMack]

I was thinking about buying a 30g Hex and wanted to know how easy it would be keeping this tank up. I was told If i put a emperror400 filter and do 10%WC weekly The tank should be very easy to keep up with. I want one Flame angel, one midas blenny, and one False Percula. No Coral... Info please

[Dustin83]

Yeah, since you mentioned that you will have no corals, it shouldn't be too tough. 10%WC weekly is a good idea, too. Just remember to use good high PH water and stay away from using tap water. Cycling the tank with live rocks would also help. Although you will have no corals, it's still HIGHLY recommended that you also get protein skimmer. Protein skimmer and live rocks, if you chose to add them to your list, could really throw off your budget though...

It would also be a good idea to get a test kit designed for SW and a good guide book.

Other than that, SW fish, IF they are purchased at a healthy state, can be quite hardy. Just remember to take things VERY slowly... cycle your tank for at least 6 weeks or so, if not more, and add one fish at a time.

[AndrewMack]

I cant really afford not to use tap water, petsmart sells Salt that has PH buffer in it to raise PH and stabalize it at 8.2 my plans where to add like 2-3damsels for the cycle, and ill be using like 5-10gallons of pre-cycled water from the LFS i work at

[Reefscape]

said this many times...please do not use damsels to cycle a fish tank..it is very inhumain..there are lots of other methods to cycle a tank without using fish..

Niko

[dorkfish]

and ill be using like 5-10gallons of pre-cycled water from the LFS i work at

Water never cycles - it's the solid sufaces - rocks, sand, filter media, that cycle. Adding water from an established tank will do nothing but add nitrates to the water.

[AndrewMack]

so should i get a used filter pad from work? what about my stocking list, one or two perculas,one midas blenny, one flame angel, and a two cleaner shrimp.

[dorkfish]

That would help. Also try to get atleast some live rock (3-5 ilbs min.) to seed the tank. Stock list is fine.

[AndrewMack]

is there any other livestock i could have in that tank with the filtration i plan on using and doing 10%water changes weekly

[Reefscape]

A nice little yellow clown goby would look good, they average about 1.5"...cool little fish for asmallish hex..

Niko

[AndrewMack]

Well if i get this DIy wet/dry filter figured out il just gunna buy a 29gallon

[Reefscape]

ok..still sounds do-able though...what is the problem with the DIY wet/dry?

Niko

[AndrewMack]

the powerhead i have doesnt have the power to push 5 head ft...

[AndrewMack]

Also should i do a tank with the stocking list i provided. or a single dwarf lionfish?

[Reefscape]

well, how you stock it is really more so what you are aiming to acheive....If you are a passionate lover of lion fish then yes...or on the other hand if you went with your stocking list it would be more differnet colours and personalities....like i said, its down to your preference..

Can you not see if you can buy a second hand powerhead of ebay or buy an actual pump for the filter?

Niko

[AndrewMack]

I can, just take me a while. I think im going to setup my 5gallon as a SW nano for a few months to see how I like it. We have some Clownfish at work that arent even but 1/4" is that, theier tiny...

[Reefscape]

ok, but just bear in mind that keeping a 5 gal nano, in my opinion, is different than keeping a larger tank..basically i fish and few inverts...thats ya lot really...

Niko

[AndrewMack]

thats fine, i just wanna get a feel for it before i dive into another big tank. should i use sand or crushed coral for the substrate?

[Cichlid Nutz]

If you still thinking about the hex with the Emp. 400........won't fit. Nor will any wide (double cartridge) filters. My 60 hex cant even handle one. Maybe look at Eheim wet/dry canister. Never used one but heard they work well. Also, Eheim and Fluval make an attachment for your intake that allows surface suction. Inexpensive and gives you better SW filtration.

[Cichlid Nutz]

My vote is aragonite sand for the substrate......

[Reefscape]

Sugar grain size aragonite sand is just great..The problem with crushed coral is that it really traps detrius which will cause algae issues which is what we do not want..

Niko

[5xevy]

Sugar grain size aragonite sand is just great..The problem with crushed coral is that it really traps detrius which will cause algae issues which is what we do not want..

Niko

Exactly.

It's awesome that you want to start a SW tank. It's not as hard as some people think...just a little more expensive. :)

I'd also recommend a refractometer.

[AndrewMack]

we are gunna setup my 5gallon for a few months ans save up for this 16gallon bowfront at petco... can i still keep my above stocking list in a 16ga? or should i get the 22g Cube

[Reefscape]

all i can say is that if it was me, i would go for the cube...

Niko