newbie needing help.. lots...

[duck]

Hey all.. thanks for reading my plea for help. I recently baught a tank from a wal-mart going out of buisness for 15 bucks...
the tank seem really odd I don't see much the same size as it.
I originaly thought it was a 20L but after measurements and calculations I have found it to be 22.5 L or something like that.
it is 36x12x12

Here are my questions.. This tank didn't come with anything except a small hole at the top and a water tight felbow fitting at the top left corner.

I would love to do a salt water tank.

What supplies will I need in order to do this. I am a poor college student so budget is very important to me. However I do also want to try and have a colorful tank with alot of moment and life. I have had several larger Freshwater tanks and Actually have a extra HOB filter I can use on this tank if it might be helpful.

I do not have a lid or any lighting for this tank.

I live really close to the Gulf and to the Atlantic... both less then 2 hours away.. Would beach sand constitue "Live sand"
Is collecting a peice of LR for your own little aquarium alright as long as you don't harvest and sell it.. If found some cool stuff when we go scalloping just snorkling around keatons beach.

For this tank would I need a Skimmer ? Are there any entry level kits ??? I don't have room for a sump


ACK...HELP.............. I am realizing I have no clue of what needs to happen.. I just have a darn empty tank going with water in it and a hob filter running...

 

[Andy16]

The sand from your area might be polluted so I wouldnt take it. If you are looking to do it cheaper, by normal sand like southdown, and seed it with the live rock. I think the live rock is only legal if it is washed up of shore, but im not familiar with this law. A skimmer would make it easier and let you slack a little bit on water changes. Like once every two weeks with a medium bio-load. A clean-up crew with snails and hermit crabs is also a good idea. A good light, like powercompact of a lot of flourescents. The HOB is better to just run empty and used to provide water circulation along with 1-2 powerheads.

 

[wayne]

OK, the first thing I always do is send people to a book called the New Marine Aquarium by Mike Paletta. Buy it or get it from the library. It has a great setup for a 'barebones setup' built round a 10 or 15, but you can make a 20 work even better.
Get a thin layer of oolitic sand or whatever you can on the bottom. Iwouldn't use stuff from my beach and I'm sure it's cleaner than most, but only you can judge that... Get some live rock. You can try to collect your own but please don't cry if it doesn't work well - it's your choice. Use your HOB's to provide water movement. To save money do a weekly or twice weekly change of a couple of gallons water. I'd rather you spent the skimmer money on live rock.
Get reading

 

[duck]

okay thanks.

Thanks for those quick replies...

I was hopeing to be able to cut a couple of corners so I could afford a peice or two of the TBS rock... it is FANTASTIC looking.

If I was to use some other rock will eventually the base rock be covered too?

What is the base rock (like what kinda rock) naturally??

My tank is 36 inch long by only 12 inches high and 12 wide.... I think I could do really good with some cheaper lights becuase the depth is so much less...

I would like to get a hood and I like the idea of the lightbulb style
flouresence... instead of the halogen.. so does anyone make a 36 inch long hood with set up for a standard incadesent?

My ten gallon has them.. I put the sprial looking bulbs in it and have great success with plants.

Perhaps I will try to build a cover.

looks like I will be visiting a library for the first time in 15 years very soon.. lol