New to SW - MyFishTank.Net Freshwater Saltwater Aquarium Fish Forum

Cichlid-Man · 07-12-2003, 10:35 PM

Hi, i would love to start up a small SW tank. (Small to start and get used to SW) and i was wondering.....If i got say.....a 20-25 Gal. Is the stuff filter/light that comes with the aquarium good to use? what else do i need to make it ready for SW. What kind of Rocks should i get, Sand?And what kind of fish are good for starters cause i know u can put a lot of $ down the drain with SW if u are inexpirenced. Thanx.

1979camaro · 07-12-2003, 11:21 PM

first, most people will say go bigger b/c its easier to keep water parameters in line

that said, if all you want is fish then the filter/lights should be ok, but a filter upgrade wouldnt hurt...decorations are up to you, but coraline gravel would be good b/c it will make the water more alkaline (you wanna be in the 8s)...ive read that damsels are good for starting, but just like fw you will need to cycle...

keep in mind that i am no expert, so others may tell you otherwise and are probably more correct

Kevin

Cichlid-Man · 07-13-2003, 12:07 AM

Well i would like either some live rock or some kind of coral formation in the middle with the fish.....is there any certain nececities for that? I just want to really get used to keeping a SW tank so i can upgrade to a larger 1 later.

So you say a coraline gravel?.....i'll have to go to the LFS and see what they suggest.

Thanx

1979camaro · 07-13-2003, 02:11 AM

its just crushed coral...as for the lights for lr you need 2-3 wpg and for corals at least 5wpg

JasonF · 07-13-2003, 04:36 AM

As Camaro says, go for as big as you can afford.

Temperature, Alkalinity, PH, SG, all fluctuate less/more slowly in a larger tank, and swift fluctuations may kill the fish.

Would say get some books and read up a bit too, I say get some books as I have three and each disagrees with the other on some things...

Damsels are very aggressive fish, and though they may survive the cycle, is it fair to stress them firstly, and secondly they may relentlessly pursue/attack any newcomers, so not a method I feel is great. Fishless cycling may take a little longer but is worth it IMHO.

The lighting it would be good if you can get a 10k light (many use Metal Halides) and an actinic (Blue) which will light up an hour before the 10k light and cause less stress to the fish.

The filter I am afraid I have no idea about, but I would guess if the tank is sold as suitable for SW then it would do the job. Just need to let it mature nicely, and of course in SW many people have some Maxijets to get better water circulation, especially at the surface.

Good luck.

Buzzfish · 07-15-2003, 03:20 PM

head on over to http://www.nano-reef.com

They'll have all the info you need there in those forums.

Cichlid-Man · 07-15-2003, 07:22 PM

k thanx

wayne at home · 07-27-2003, 04:31 PM

Read Mike Palettas book - The new marine aquarium, a step by step guide or something similar. Veryy good starter info, no bull

Cichlid-Man · 07-27-2003, 06:22 PM

Ok i will. Thanx

spikekillifish · 07-31-2003, 02:08 PM

I started a 20G. reef tank 3-1/2 months ago. I went with a deep sand bed, 20lbs of LR, a AquaClear mini HOB, 130W coralife from hello lights and a couple of powerheads.

I have a RO/DI filter for top offs and water changes. I add Kalkwasser to my top offs to keep up calcium and iodine levels. I perform two 10-20% water changes weekly.

The tank is crystal clear and I have yet to lose any marine life since its inception. I have very little in unwanted agae growth.

I think starting off with a small tank was good idea for me becuase water changes are quite simple and the start up cost was considerably less. I spend a few $$$ a week on salt though.

I also baste my LR with a large eyedropper and use a radio antenna to keep the top 1/4" layer of the sand bed clean.