Need Help Please

AnDr3w

AnDr3w

AC Members
Apr 29, 2007
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Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
My dad has a salt water tank that is 240g, and I know a little bit about it. I still need to know a few things though before I consider changing my 29g from fresh to salt.

First.

1. Can I do a FOWLR without specialized lights? (MH/PC etc.)

2. Is it an absolute must to have RO water for water changes?

3. Honestly, how do I do waterchanges for salt water? Like how do I get the salinity of my new water to match the water in the tank?

4. How about stocking? I know I want at least 2 Harlequin Shrimp and 2 Clown Fish. I know that the Clown Fish need to be brought up together otherwise they will fight.

5. Do I need a skimmer?

6. Do I need a sump?

7. Will a DIY sump work?

Thanks for your help.
 
AnDr3w said:
My dad has a salt water tank that is 240g, and I know a little bit about it. I still need to know a few things though before I consider changing my 29g from fresh to salt.

First.

1. Can I do a FOWLR without specialized lights? (MH/PC etc.)

<<Certainly, lighting is there for your enjoyment, not a need for the tank>>

2. Is it an absolute must to have RO water for water changes?

<<In my opinion, yes, better off in the long run. Depends on your water source i suppose>>

3. Honestly, how do I do waterchanges for salt water? Like how do I get the salinity of my new water to match the water in the tank?

<<Mix RO and salt in a food safe container, keep adding salt untill the SG matches that of your tank, at the correct temp. Leave to aeriate for 24 to 48 hours before use. Use powerheads to continuously circulate>>

4. How about stocking? I know I want at least 2 Harlequin Shrimp and 2 Clown Fish. I know that the Clown Fish need to be brought up together otherwise they will fight.

<<No probs with the shrimp, as long as you dont mind sourcing the correct food. Clowns are fine to add one at a time, as long as the second clown is deff smaller in size so it will pair up with the larger>>

5. Do I need a skimmer?

<<As a beginner, i would say yes, as it will help with your water quality and stability>>

6. Do I need a sump?

<<You dont need a sump, but having one will certainly help you>>

7. Will a DIY sump work?

<<For sure, most sumps seen here on AC are DIY jobby's...>>

Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...

Added some comments above in red...hope this helps..
 
Originally Posted by AnDr3w
My dad has a salt water tank that is 240g, and I know a little bit about it. I still need to know a few things though before I consider changing my 29g from fresh to salt.

First.

1. Can I do a FOWLR without specialized lights? (MH/PC etc.)

<<Certainly, lighting is there for your enjoyment, not a need for the tank>>

2. Is it an absolute must to have RO water for water changes?

<<In my opinion, yes, better off in the long run. Depends on your water source i suppose>>

3. Honestly, how do I do waterchanges for salt water? Like how do I get the salinity of my new water to match the water in the tank?

<<Mix RO and salt in a food safe container, keep adding salt untill the SG matches that of your tank, at the correct temp. Leave to aeriate for 24 to 48 hours before use. Use powerheads to continuously circulate>>

4. How about stocking? I know I want at least 2 Harlequin Shrimp and 2 Clown Fish. I know that the Clown Fish need to be brought up together otherwise they will fight.

<<No probs with the shrimp, as long as you dont mind sourcing the correct food. Clowns are fine to add one at a time, as long as the second clown is deff smaller in size so it will pair up with the larger>>

5. Do I need a skimmer?

<<As a beginner, i would say yes, as it will help with your water quality and stability>>

6. Do I need a sump?

<<You dont need a sump, but having one will certainly help you>>

7. Will a DIY sump work?

<<For sure, most sumps seen here on AC are DIY jobby's...>>

Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...

1a. Can I keep any basic corals, other then anemonies, with a standard light?

2a. How would it be better in the long run? I'm not questioning your judgement, but, how?

3a. SG is specific gravity, right? And how do I measure it?

6a. I have a DIY sump at my house, but it needs to be rebuilt. Any modifications that should be done to it to make it better for SW?
 
1. What do you consider basic corals??? if you are just looking at mushrooms, kenya trees and maybe some zoas then a inexpensive T-5 light would be plenty.
2. RO would be better because less chance of algea problems, and PH and ALK would hold better IMO.
3. SG is specific gravity and I always recomend a refractometer.
6. I would try to make enough room for a skimmer and macro algea and then your return pump, 1 section for each.
 
1. Yea, like mushrooms, polyps, and anenomies.

2. Ok. A 6gpd should be plenty, right?

3. Do refractometers cost a lot?

6. What's macro algae?
 
Also. What about Live Sand/Rock. Do I need those or can I get sand from the beach and dead rocks? What are the benefits?
 
AnDr3w said:
1. Yea, like mushrooms, polyps, and anenomies.

2. Ok. A 6gpd should be plenty, right?

3. Do refractometers cost a lot?

6. What's macro algae?
Click to expand...

get a hydrometer - a lot cheaper than a refracto ...

if you have a parent with that big of a tank why aren't you getting the info from him?


he probably has the RO/DI set up and maybe even a bunch of zenia or something like that to play with in the tank. It's even easier to just buy it by the 5 gal container

As for Clown fish - percula clowns only get up to about 3 inches long
 
AnDr3w said:
1. Yea, like mushrooms, polyps, and anenomies.

<<Not anemone's, no, just basic corals like mushrooms and polyps>>

2. Ok. A 6gpd should be plenty, right?

<<With a tank this size, i would be going for a 100gpd unit>>

3. Do refractometers cost a lot?

<<As has been mentioned, hydrometers are cheaper, but, not as good, i would recomend spending the extra and buying a refractometer>>

6. What's macro algae?

<<Macro algae's ( plants ) are what are used in an aquarium, mainly the sump, to absorb excess nutrients from the water>>
Click to expand...

AnDr3w said:
Also. What about Live Sand/Rock. Do I need those or can I get sand from the beach and dead rocks? What are the benefits?

<<Normal aragonite sand, and live rock is your best bet. I would not go taking it from the beach as you dont know whats been in / on the rock and sand, plus, its illegal in some places i believe>>
Click to expand...


Added some comments in red..
 
jjbtexas said:
refractometers are a much more exact measuring tool and well worth the extra $$ in the long run
Click to expand...

for a 29 gallon tank?

2. Ok. A 6gpd should be plenty, right?
Click to expand...

for a 29 gallon tank it would be more practical to spend the money on perhaps a BIGGER TANK ...
Besides that - my Marineland hydrometer is off by one point on the salinity scale. I took it to one of the stores I spend $$ at and it took them all of a couple minutes to compare the 2 so I know how close it is to accurate.

Besides - with water evaporation - it's going to fluctuate at least that much from day to day even if you have a top off set up.

Around here RO/DI salt water is about $5.00 to fill a 5 gallon jug - that would be more than enough to do a serious water change.

RO/DI water without salt is cheaper - keep one to top off tanks from evaporation.

... but what do I know? I'm still learning about my 210 and 90 gallon tanks.
 
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