New to do marine tank shtuff, questions

[SuBXeRo]

I have been doing FW so far and I like to have projects to do in the future and i have a couple other projects i want to do and SW is something i want to do down the road. I want to learn as much as i can so i dont screw up.

I was thinking of doing a 30 gallon Fish only tank, probably some LR down the road, but for the beginning just FO and i would make some kind of aquascape up maybe out of slate or something, not sure if that would affect the water alot. I was going to build a custom stand, the tank being on the top, probably net to my FW tank, and a lower level which will hold the equipment and possibly another level to hold RO/DI water in a nice tank with a PH to help mix the salt and when i do W/C's i can pump the water out of the tank to the sink and then pump up the new water from the storage tank. I dont want to do a sump although i know its beneficial to expand the bio-load, i just dont want to deal with the noise, i would prefer tp just use a canister. Also thinking of doing some anenome? or corals, dont know, dont really know enough about them to make a decision. any suggestion would be awesome.

Equipment:
eheim 2217
Light fixture (dunno yet, prob a current USA fixture)
Protein skimmer, any recommendations? i want something quiet
2x Koralia PH for water movement
Substrate suggestion? sand, crushed coral, live sand?
Small RO/DI unit
Water pump for the w/c's

Stock:
Black clown fish
Purple/Pink fish
Damsels?

 

[SuBXeRo]

any suggestions?

 

[ToeJam]

any suggestions?

Bakpak Skimmers for HOB others here will get to this thread and add more to the skimmer question I am sure..give them time.

As for LR..its a necessity. LR is the bio filter. So having LR is something you should do from the start. The general rule is 1lb per gallon. So having 20lbs in a 30 is fine ..you dont have to have 30lbs

I am so against canisters cause detritus collects in them...vs being in the water column and being skimmed out eventually. The canister is good for using other media like carbon and phosban ...otherwise its a nitrate factory.

My first advise: Understanding Water Chemistry for Marine tanks..that is priority to the foundation of getting started. Cause about everything we do is related to that.

Sumps are not as noisy as you think. It depends on how you construct the plumbing. My sump is silent. Sump adds many options to your equipment. Using better skimmers, hiding equipment, adding volume, and adding additional equipment without making your display look like some mechanical contraption with equipment hanging all over the place.

For your general fowlr tank I recommend:
Sand ..live ..dead ..dead is cheap and it becomes live anyway. Brand I suggest Caribsea

rock ...live dead...same as sand will seed and become live

Skimmer: Cpr Bakpak Octopus make good HOB, dont skim on initial cycle break in...you want the organics to decompose and jump start the system.
Skimm after cycle is done.

Wait for the cycle ...in marine takes longer vs fresh...should be sticky in this section about it... when cycle is done come on back for more info about stocking ,testing, maintenance. or simply inquire on specifics.

I can really load down this thread with info and confuse you so I will refrain.


The bio filter is your rocks
your water filter is the skimmer

Here is some info for you to read to understand more:
Skimming Basics 101: Understanding Your Skimmer by Frank Marini, Ph.D. - Reefkeeping.com

 

[SuBXeRo]

go all out man, i can always ask questions

 

[SuBXeRo]

I need more information


I have decided that if i do a tank, it will be FOWL for now, Honestly, i would just like to get it established and work from there. I know i need LR for the bio and i would prefer to be sumpless. I want black clowns and i do not know what else yet.

More inputs pleases!!!!!!

 

[reefbumgm333]

As mentioned before, I would suggest at least 30 lbs live rock 20 is ok too, but I always add more than required. A skimmer is a must. Although I would suggest using an Aqua-C Remora skimmer. I would also suggest not using a cannister filter for the reason suggested above as well.

If you are planning on keeping an anemone you will need at least metal halides or t-5 lighting. PC will not be able to provide enough light for the anemone. I would also suggest not adding a condylactis anemone if you want your clowns to host one. Most clownfish will not host in condylactis. For an anemone I would suggest a bubble tip, they seem to acclimate to aquariums better than other anemones. Not to mention you can generally find tank raised BTA's in your local reef club.
If you decide on metal halides as lighting I would suggest nothing less than 175 watts.
As far as t-5's I would suggest a four bulb system for keeping an anemone other than condys.

If you even have one ounce of an itch for wanting coral in the future I you should definitely look into the t-5 or halide lighting, this way you do not have to buy any additional lighting in the future.