12 Gallon Questions/Suggestions

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Kasey06

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Nov 1, 2007
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I currently have a 12 Gallon Eclipse System tank that has been a freshwater tank. The current inhabitants are being given to a friend who got a new tank for christmas. I really want to turn this tank into a saltwater tank. I know smaller nano style tanks are not recommended for beginners and are harder to maintain, etc. At this point in time we do not have space for a larger tank and I am willing and able to take my time and research and do all the maintanace that is required. Here are my questions.

1) Dr Foster and Smith's catalog sells this 12 gallon eclipse in a 12 gallon saltwater starter kit. The only additional pieces it comes with are a 50watt stealth heater, hydrometer and artificial marine plants. I have the basic 12 gallon eclipse system. What else do I need to purchase equipment wise. What do I need to add to this list:
*50 Watt Stealth Heater
*Hydrometer

2) How much live sand/rock should I purchase for this tank?

3) I would like to have 2 fish. It seems like a lot of people have a lot of fish in these small tanks, is 2 OK? How many fish are too many for a tank this size. I want one clown fish and am undecided on the second. I have a list from another site on which fish are best suited for nano tanks.

4) What do I need for the cleaner crew? I am totally new to this aspect. What types and quantity should I purchase?

5) I will be buying the API saltwater Test Kit. Along those same lines what medications/treatments should I have on hand? This is my first foray into saltwater.

6) What type of bulb should I put in?

The current occupants are leaving on sunday. I am then taking the tank apart and doing a very thorough cleaning job. Next month, february, I will be buying the additional equipment needed and would like to get the tank up and going. From my undserstanding and correct me if I am wrong....but I should put the live sand and live rock into the tank and then pour the prepared saltwater into the tank. I then alow the tank to cycle. I do not plan on getting any actual fish until the tank is 100% ready. I really want to do this right. I will also be buying a couple of books that were recommended to me on this site while the tank is cycling so I can learn as much as possible.
I'd really appreciate anyones thoughts and opinons and any suggestions they might have.
 
Kasey06 said:
I currently have a 12 Gallon Eclipse System tank that has been a freshwater tank. The current inhabitants are being given to a friend who got a new tank for christmas. I really want to turn this tank into a saltwater tank. I know smaller nano style tanks are not recommended for beginners and are harder to maintain, etc. At this point in time we do not have space for a larger tank and I am willing and able to take my time and research and do all the maintanace that is required. Here are my questions.

1) Dr Foster and Smith's catalog sells this 12 gallon eclipse in a 12 gallon saltwater starter kit. The only additional pieces it comes with are a 50watt stealth heater, hydrometer and artificial marine plants. I have the basic 12 gallon eclipse system. What else do I need to purchase equipment wise. What do I need to add to this list:
*50 Watt Stealth Heater
*Hydrometer
This list might help you: http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/blog.php?b=21

2) How much live sand/rock should I purchase for this tank?
Live rock can be used as filtration if you have 1-2#s per gallon. If you are not using it as your filter you can use as much or as little as you'd like. Sand is an individual thing, some go bare bottom with no sand and some keep deep sand beds for further filtration. Many keep in between at about 1-2" high.

3) I would like to have 2 fish. It seems like a lot of people have a lot of fish in these small tanks, is 2 OK? How many fish are too many for a tank this size. I want one clown fish and am undecided on the second. I have a list from another site on which fish are best suited for nano tanks.
I'd not do more than 2 smaller fish in a 12g tank. A second clown might be nice, or consider a goby as the second fish.

4) What do I need for the cleaner crew? I am totally new to this aspect. What types and quantity should I purchase?
Don't plan on stocking them all at the beginning, but rather as you get to know your tank and what it needs. If diatoms are an issue you'd want something different than what would eat hair algae. In the meantime start reading up on snails, hermit crabs (shudder), brittlestars (not the green ones), etc.

5) I will be buying the API saltwater Test Kit. Along those same lines what medications/treatments should I have on hand? This is my first foray into saltwater.
I understand this is often helpful in FW but not so much in SW. Some things are even treated by hyposalinty. Although you may need meds at some point I don't feel you're going to be able to accurately guess which you might need. However, what I do feel you can predict is a QT tank and I highly suggest using one. This will help explain how to set one up: http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/blog.php?b=129

6) What type of bulb should I put in?
I'm not familiar enough with the Eclipse to know what the fixture allows for.

The current occupants are leaving on sunday. I am then taking the tank apart and doing a very thorough cleaning job. Next month, february, I will be buying the additional equipment needed and would like to get the tank up and going. From my undserstanding and correct me if I am wrong....but I should put the live sand and live rock into the tank and then pour the prepared saltwater into the tank. I then alow the tank to cycle.

Correct, you'll get the rock and sand in and then add the SW.

I do not plan on getting any actual fish until the tank is 100% ready. I really want to do this right. I will also be buying a couple of books that were recommended to me on this site while the tank is cycling so I can learn as much as possible.
I'd really appreciate anyones thoughts and opinons and any suggestions they might have.
Click to expand...

Welcome to SW, my answers are above in orange.
 
A goby is a nice Fish look at them Orange spot, Pink, or even a yellow watchman
 
Thanks for the replies and information. The eclipse has a basic 13 watt bulb, I believe it is 18". I was just curious as to which type of bulb I should put in there as there seems to be several types geared towards marine tanks. As for filtration, the eclipse 12 has the bio-wheel wet/dry system with 150gph. It has one bio-wheel and then the filter cartridge. With live rock/sand is this sufficient?
As for the second fish. I am interested in either a second clown or a Catalina Goby or Purple Firefish Goby. The Royal Gamma Dottyback also looks really cool and it is listed as a nano fish as well. I am sure I will have additional questions. I will check out the link you posted as well. Thanks.
 
I'll let someone else answer what bulb might work in that but I'd go with a daylight quality if it only has room for a single bulb.

If you have enough rock you don't need that filter at all. However, it won't hurt to have it running if it is maintained.

I'd advise against the catalina goby as it needs a different temperature.
 
I think I am going to go with the Purple Firefish Goby as the second fish. I did read somewhere that the Catalina requires colder water temp, near 72, and it seems like the clown needs more towards 75-78. Thank for all the help and information.
 
Those both sound like great fish. You might want to add the goby first or at least with the clown. I have a 10G with a clown in it and she can be a bully.
 
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