So I think I will soon be taking the plunge...

J

JWright

Superstar Fish
#1
Oct 22, 2002
2,192
7
0
40
Snowy Upstate New York
www.cnytheater.com
#1
In June I'll be moving into a new place and starting a new job. The combination of these two (better paying job and cheaper rent) means I will have the money to play around with saltwater.

Space is still an issue, which is why I'm posting in this forum ;)

I have a 20 sitting around empty that I would like to setup as a "big nano."

Starting mid june I'd like to set the tank up with LR and LS (will that be sufficient filtration for a 20?), let it cycle and stabilize, then add some larger inverts (shrimp and snails). I will probably hold off on fish for a while longer than most people would, just to make sure I can keep the thing stable by itself.

A month or two later, when I'm ready to stock, I'll probably keep the load light. Maybe a false percula, a royal gramma... and that's really all I'm thinking of for now... any other suggestions?

Any thoughts? Concerns? Advice?

~JW
 

lordroad

lordroad

Large Fish
#3
Sep 2, 2004
989
7
0
43
Shelby, NC
www.joshday.com
#3
Welcome, Josh. Your plan of cycling with the LR and LS sounds fine, I did the same thing for my ten. And they will be quite sufficient filtration for your system, especially as you're not planning on keeping anything big.

I checked out several books from the library which really helped me get the basics of saltwater care, but honestly the best info I've got was from this nano forum-- from the archives and my questions. I found once you understand how s/w works and see the differences between salt and fresh--and there's a whole lot of difference--then the rest takes care of itself. Lighting was my biggest hurdle, just understanding all the new vocab.

When you do your homework and make a plan, I don't find it anymore difficult than freshwater, and it's certainly more rewarding. When you're cycling, you'll be so intrigued with the stuff coming out of your rock waiting for fish won't be a thing at all.

One thing you didn't mention... any plans for corals in the future? ;)

Oh, and Froggy... do my keen Sith senses pick up an interest in... saltwater? :)

"The dark side [...] is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be... unnatural."
 

FroggyFox

FroggyFox

Forum Manager
Moderator
#4
May 16, 2003
8,589
10
38
42
Colorado
#4
There's always an interest there Lordroad :) But at this point nothing serious. I just set up a new 46 and I'm happy with what I have. My roommate on the other hand would really like saltwater and I get the feeling that she's gonna rope me (not that she'll have to twist my arm much) into helping her set one up...so I figure a little extra research isn't going to hurt anyone eh? ;) We dont have a tank in the living room anymore, so I figure thats where the new hypothetical tank will go ;) Oh...and you know we'll get a mandarin...cuz I said so. Unless my roommate talks me into one of those dog face puffer fish which are so cool lookin at this store we go to but I know zip about.

Stopping now. Sorry Josh didn't mean to hijack the thread.
 

1979camaro

1979camaro

Ultimate Fish
#6
Oct 22, 2002
5,862
2
0
42
San Ramon, CA
#6
lighting is a virtual non issue in FOWLR...the problem is the reef is truly the dark side...thats when you get the cool mask and james earl jones shows up...until then you are just a jedi on a straying path

your plan sounds just fine though...
 

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