I have a 30 gallon freshwater tank I am considering converting into a saltwater tank. I received my aquarium as a gift so I really do not know a lot of basics about the equipment. I have found out a lot of details over time, but for some reason the very basics are difficult to find. I have two powerheads running an under gravel filter system, a canister carbon filter, a bubble curtain, and a light hood that only has space for a single 24" bulb. Here are my questions:
1. Powerheads... I don't know a lot about them. Can you have powerheads that are not attached to an under gravel filter? I have read that it is impractical to have an UGF system in a saltwater tank, but I have also read that powerheads are suggested for a SW tank.
2. Protein Skimmer... I have seen suggestions for the CPR and Aquac Remora hang on skimmers. Would I need my canister filter at all if I used either of these skimmers? Do these skimmers take up a lot of space.
3. Lighting... Would it be possible to have a Saltwater aquarium with a single light? I would probably just have live rock and some small basic fish. I am thinking maybe clownfish and/or tang. Will a single light be enough? If so what kind should I use. If not what would be recommended for a 30 gallon tank?
4. Sumps... Everything I have read refers to them, but does not thoroughly explain what they are. Are they absolutely necessary to a SW set up? Are some built into protein skimmers (the ones I mentioned above)?
Sorry if these questions have been asked over and over. I have just had a very hard time gathering answers to these specific questions. Don't worry, I am going to do very thorough research before I start a SW aquarium. I just wanted to see if it would be practical and affordable in my current situation.
Thanks for any help!
Chris
1. Powerheads... I don't know a lot about them. Can you have powerheads that are not attached to an under gravel filter? I have read that it is impractical to have an UGF system in a saltwater tank, but I have also read that powerheads are suggested for a SW tank.
2. Protein Skimmer... I have seen suggestions for the CPR and Aquac Remora hang on skimmers. Would I need my canister filter at all if I used either of these skimmers? Do these skimmers take up a lot of space.
3. Lighting... Would it be possible to have a Saltwater aquarium with a single light? I would probably just have live rock and some small basic fish. I am thinking maybe clownfish and/or tang. Will a single light be enough? If so what kind should I use. If not what would be recommended for a 30 gallon tank?
4. Sumps... Everything I have read refers to them, but does not thoroughly explain what they are. Are they absolutely necessary to a SW set up? Are some built into protein skimmers (the ones I mentioned above)?
Sorry if these questions have been asked over and over. I have just had a very hard time gathering answers to these specific questions. Don't worry, I am going to do very thorough research before I start a SW aquarium. I just wanted to see if it would be practical and affordable in my current situation.
Thanks for any help!
Chris