New Sw Tank Set Up Questions

[wattsd]

Hi all. I just started a 30g saltwater tank a week ago. I have about 13 pounds of live rock in at the moment but due to financial reason that is all that I can manage at this time. For now I am planning on just fish and maybe doing corals once I'm confortable with everything. My question is this: I am using a Pelican 330 biowheel system with activated charcoal (also crushed coral before the filter for biological activity) should I be using a protein skimmer as well? I purchased the tank and equipment at Petco and asked about it but he said it was not necessary. Other people I talk to seem to think its a good idea. I am not sure the average Petco employee would know the importance of this so I would like to ask you pros before I start putting anything else in the tank.

Also...how much does everyone usually pay for live rock?! I am paying about $7 a LB at a place down the road. Is my rock source really expensive or am I just being a tightwad? I do love the little creatures on my rock though.

thanks for the help

~dave

 

[cthopper]

Ditch the bio-wheel and go protein skimmer if you want coral in the future. Bio-wheels are nitrate trappers. I would also suggest sand as opposed to the crushed coral because CC traps nitrates as well. Live rock really depends on location. In the Lexington, Kentucky area I payed $7.99 a pound for one batch and $5 a pound for another batch. Both based rates on how much you bought so I could have got a better price by sticking with one place, but, oh no, I wanted bio-diversity. You could order some online as well or get uncured live and cycle your tank with it. Uncured is sometimes cheaper as is online stores, but shipping usually eats you up with online stores, and I have heard the smell of uncured live rock can be, well... unpleasent.
Hope that has helped, and good luck.
chris

 

[matter1331]

Unfortunately, LR can be expensive. I myself kind of hate buying LR because it seems like you buy so little for so much, but in the long run it really does pay off. $7/lb. is about average around DFW, depending on what you get naturally. Good luck with the new setup and enjoy!