Startin off

sausageman85 · 05-31-2004, 05:43 PM

First time poster here...

I'll get straight to the point. I got 6 tanks and I'd love to start a saltwater tank. The largest tank I have that I can use is a 29gal. Not exactly big and good to start with, but it's the best I got. For filtration I have a Whisper Power Filter 60 Triad and two power heads for movement. I was thinking about using some undergravel plates to help for filtration, *yeah kinda cheesy, but i guess it all could help??* wasnt sure if this would be a good idea? what do you guys think?? Havent purchased a skimmer yet or LS or LR, still to come later. The plan was, about a 2in bed of sand, and ab out 10-15 lbs or LR.

Anyone have any suggestions on what I can do to insure the sucess of the tank. Right now I already have it running with nothing in it, hoping to get a headstart, before i get the sand and rock in.

Would it be possible to house some coral? if so what kind of lighting shoud i look for?

I have done a lot of research and kind of have the basic idea of where I am going with it. I guess i just want to hear from other people who have experience instead of a book.

Thanks for the info.

Jason McKenzie · 05-31-2004, 07:07 PM

My Personal opinion would be to ditch the Under gravel and increase the amount of LR to about 29 to 34 lbs. This should give you the filtration you need. I would also say ditch the power filter but other would say it has it's advantages. As for lights you would have to decide on what type of Corals you want to keep, as they all have differing light requirements. Usually I would recommend metal Halide, what are the dimensions of the tank. Light penetration to depth is key to keeping coral and if the tank is 20" or more I would go with MH for sure. That way you wouldn't limit were you could place your coral and what types you could get.

J

sausageman85 · 05-31-2004, 07:51 PM

I figured the undergravel wouldnt be much of a help. I think will go with getin extra LR prolly about 30 lbs. As for coral, I was hopin to have a single bubble anemone. For lighting I was thinking 65 watt Actinic
and a 65 watt 10000°K bulb . I already have a rough draft for a hood to fit the 29gal running this set up. The tank is about 19" deep. For the power filter I figured it would help with water movement and maybe a little filtration, but I am hoping with enough LR and LS and a skimmer, that it can handle the filtration.

any suggestions for a good skimmer, nothing fancy, for a tank this size??

omard · 05-31-2004, 08:39 PM

Salutations Sausageman85,

You wrote:

[quote author=sausageman85 link=board=Newbie;num=1086061426;start=0#0 date=05/31/04 at 20:43:46]First time poster here...

Anyone have any suggestions on what I can do to insure the sucess of the tank. *

I have done a lot of research and kind of have the basic idea of where I am going with it. *I guess i just want to hear from other people who have experience instead of a book.
[/quote]

All I can say is you are at the right place here at 3Reef...

Just pick about any forum and start reading backwards for good info that you will be able to put to use..."sticky's" here on "New To The Hobby" a good place to start...

When you come up with a "specific" question that does not appear readily answerable or is just buried too deep in posts...just throw it up here...

Good Luck...keep us posted on progress.

OmarD

06-01-2004, 12:57 AM

Check out the 3 steps as thats why we are calls 3 reef.

Welcome aboard.

I agree with Jason and Scott.
The UGF is a waste of time and later on it will crash your tank.

get 1 pound to 1.5 pounds of LR per gallon of the tank and go with 3 to 4 inch DSB.
I
Matt has a small tank he recently setup so you can pull on his ear for any tips on how to perfect it.

Matt Rogers · 06-01-2004, 06:18 AM

Hey I am far from perfecting mine!

But I'll share what I have learned.. small tanks are tricky, don't do anything drastic or too fast like over compensate with additives (speaking from experience) -- you don't need much in a small tanks.

Also get a routine down to deal with evaporation and stay on top of it. It can happen fast on small tanks.

In addition to the live rock, I second the skimmer. A Remora with a maxi-jet pump would be nice. One of our members, captivereefs - also a sponsor - was selling a used one with a pump for $100 last week. I'd shoot him an email and see if he still has it. THat's a great deal.

That light should be fine for a bubble coral.

Welcome to 3reef!

Craig Manoukian · 06-01-2004, 09:44 AM

A Bubble Anemone is not a good beginner invertebrate. I would highly recommend you go with mushroom, zoanthus, or palythoa soft corals as starters under that lighting. As Matt indicated, a Bubble Coral would work under that lighting as well.

Welcome and have fun gettin' started!

karlas · 06-23-2004, 02:02 AM

i would suggest setting up a fish only with live rock to begin with and start with easy fish especailly going with a smaller tank. then when you get the hang of it then start going with corals after you get the basics down. some nice corals for a tank like that would be some mushrooms, leathers , or polyps to start they are very east to care for and good beginner corals.