I'm trying salt

First topic message reminder :

I have been trying to learn more about salt water and corals and such..... but I think to learn I need to do....
I'm thinking of doing a tank with mostly corals and stuff and possibly one fish.... some relatively hardy stuff to start with.
I need help deciding on a good tank size, I have 10, 20g, 20 long or 30 available for this. I will probably go the cheaper route and seed base rock. Not sure when this will happen but I would like to know how involved a tank like that would be. I'm sure I could get a few low end frags and a bit of live rock to start with. This would be a slow tank, no rushing I want to learn as I go. I know I will need to spend a bit on lights and a skimmer...... and what else would be needed for a reef tank? and what size would be best to start with, I need a balance of cost and stability size.

But would I need it? If I added fish later could I just add a refugium later as well? Or is there another reason to keep the macro algae and 'bugs' separate?

i wud say yes u do need it!

slow.... very slow I need to do some rearranging and what not in my fish room before I start on this project Len

Yes, you will need a refugium for a coral only tank.

Ok

I would start with at least one or two fish with the corals. A clown fish or other damsel just to give your tank a bio-load to help build your bio filtration. LR will already have some of your bacteria in it when you get it but the fish would help complete the cycle. Most damsels in my area range from $3 to $8 bucks a piece (exept for the clowns, they are more) so if you loose one or two you are not out that much $$$. Especially when you start to look at the fish you really want to have, they kinda get a bit pricey. I personally would start with a fowlr tank to get used to dealing with the salt tanks. To me the coral needs more attention than the fish only, and more supplies. I have been running my salt tank for almost a year or a little longer and just now ready to start putting corals in my tank.( after i sell or move two of my fish out so they will not eat my coral. lol)

nice wat kinda fissh do u have in ur fowlr tank?
triggers? tangs? those fish i know will eat some corals

All I have left is a.yellow tang, chocolate chip starfish, and an triger.

nice!!
triggers are AWSOME!!!!!
clowns trigs are ma fave:)

I like triggers and clowns too!!

I had two triggers but i sold one not to long ago. i had a nijar and still have an undulated trigger.

I still have some more learning to to before I start doing......

you can do it!!!!

len, did you start your planted tank?

I bet he hasn't, I have a feeling he is waiting on me to trim up my planted sump

I need to get all my freshwater settled down and in long term tanks..... and I also need to just plain 'ol know more on salt before I even start a tank..... Like whats better mixing your own water or buying premixed? Whats the typical salt level? PH level? temp? How long does it take to seed rock? What will eat bristle worms? How long does it take to cycle a tank? Do I need to cycle if I get live rock and sand? What all equipment will I need? Would it be easier to buy a biocube?..... so Many questions

Let me get some more plants in and growing len so that your goody box is that much more interesting when I send it!

cool, i may have some plants for sale also len. Now on with the salty water fern.

Fern wrote:

I bet he hasn't, I have a feeling he is waiting on me to trim up my planted sump

I need to get all my freshwater settled down and in long term tanks..... and I also need to just plain 'ol know more on salt before I even start a tank..... Like whats better mixing your own water or buying premixed? Whats the typical salt level? PH level? temp? How long does it take to seed rock? What will eat bristle worms? How long does it take to cycle a tank? Do I need to cycle if I get live rock and sand? What all equipment will I need? Would it be easier to buy a biocube?..... so Many questions

FERN!!!!!!
take a look at this page!!!!!
and read through all of the articles!!!! iv read through all this twice lol it helpped ALOT!!!!!!!!
happy reading

http://www.nano-reef.com/articles/

Cool I will take a look at it when I get home!

Oh wow I was just looking at the coral porn on neptunes cove Screw the fish I want some of those corals The colors are so amazing and some of the names are just too funny! I will defiantly have to look for some of the nipples when I get a tank going!

I have a 28 gallon nano reef tank. Its not too hard to maintain once the initial set up is complete. I do a 25-30% water change about every other week, sometimes more. It has live rock and live sand along with several different corals. There are several fish that are easy to care for in this type of tank. I have a yellow watchman goby, 2 clownfish, and a yellow tail damsel, all of them get along great. There is a ton of information online about how to start a reef tank and what fish do well. Also, if there is a local marine pet store by you they should be able to help. Good Luck.

Do you mix your own water?
I work at a fish store and am trying to learn the salt stuff as I go....