Low tech, easy maintenance sw tank?

Harry Muscle · 03/17/2008, 09:34 AM

Is there such a thing as a low tech, easy maintenance salt water tank setup?

For example, in the freshwater world, there's low tech planted tanks that if setup correctly can go without water changes for months (3 to 6 months being usual). They only require maybe 30-60 minutes of work a week to clean out some plant matter, prune, etc.

I was wondering if there's any sort of equivalent in the salt water world. The biggest thing that I don't enjoy is water changes which is why I have a planted tank setup as described above and only do them every 2 to 3 months.

Thanks,
Harry

serpentman · 03/17/2008, 09:46 AM

Yes and no. It really depends on your ultimate goal and bioload. I believe what you are referring to in the freshwater world is a balanced setup where bacteria and plants provide most of the filtration.

IMO, FOWLR setups with adequate filtration can go longer between water changes. It really comes down to bioload. More fish result in more pollution of water.

Low tech / low maintenance reefs although theoretically possible, are probably something for the advanced hobbyist as water changes provide trace nutrients, etc.

Savas · 03/17/2008, 11:07 AM

A low-stocked tank with all live rock in the filter area could go for awhile without a water change if the bioload was right. I would have no fish and all corals though. I have one tank that I only do changes on every 6 weeks and even then my parms are all good.

Harry Muscle · 03/17/2008, 11:36 AM

As an example, what could be accomplished with a 8G Oceanic Bio Cube in order to make it as simple to maintain as possible? Could you provide me with a sample stocking list just so I can get an idea of what kind of bio load to expect?

Thanks,
Harry

P.S. Is the 36W of lighting in the BioCube enought to actually have corals? Thanks.

P.P.S. Are small tanks considered hard to maintain (just like in the freshwater world)? Cause I've read on another site that small can actually be good when dealing with salt water, but I'm not sure the reason for it.

Savas · 03/17/2008, 11:39 AM

Smaller is harder... I would stock a 24 gallon at a minimum.

If you did an 8 gallon, I would have 10 pounds of live rock and a good two inches of live sand. You could have mushrooms, some zoos and a leather coral - some Kenya tree would work too. I would have one hermit crab, 6 snails, and a clown fish. Limit yourself to one fish. 36 watts is enough light.

03/17/2008, 09:34 AM	#1
Harry Muscle Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Mississauga, ON Posts: 169	Low tech, easy maintenance sw tank? Is there such a thing as a low tech, easy maintenance salt water tank setup? For example, in the freshwater world, there's low tech planted tanks that if setup correctly can go without water changes for months (3 to 6 months being usual). They only require maybe 30-60 minutes of work a week to clean out some plant matter, prune, etc. I was wondering if there's any sort of equivalent in the salt water world. The biggest thing that I don't enjoy is water changes which is why I have a planted tank setup as described above and only do them every 2 to 3 months. Thanks, Harry

03/17/2008, 09:46 AM	#2
serpentman part time superhero Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Deep in the Heart of the Snowbelt (NE OHIO) Posts: 5,698	Yes and no. It really depends on your ultimate goal and bioload. I believe what you are referring to in the freshwater world is a balanced setup where bacteria and plants provide most of the filtration. IMO, FOWLR setups with adequate filtration can go longer between water changes. It really comes down to bioload. More fish result in more pollution of water. Low tech / low maintenance reefs although theoretically possible, are probably something for the advanced hobbyist as water changes provide trace nutrients, etc. __________________ BS in Marine Bio ('96), First SW tank in 1992. Current Tank(s) 300g SPS with 90g frag tank and 40 anemone tank - decommissioned 46g LPS/Softy Cube 300g FOWLR under construction - decommissioned

03/17/2008, 11:07 AM	#3
Savas Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Maryland / St. Thomas once a month Posts: 764	A low-stocked tank with all live rock in the filter area could go for awhile without a water change if the bioload was right. I would have no fish and all corals though. I have one tank that I only do changes on every 6 weeks and even then my parms are all good. __________________ If you can get your wife hooked into reef keeping, you can spend all the money you want! Current Tank Info: 24 gallon Aquapod Nanotuners 4.32 T-5 lighting upgrade; 24 gallon Aquapod with stock power compacts and actinic lighting; 12 gallon Aquapod with stock power compacts and actinic lighting.

03/17/2008, 11:39 AM	#5
Savas Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Maryland / St. Thomas once a month Posts: 764	Smaller is harder... I would stock a 24 gallon at a minimum. If you did an 8 gallon, I would have 10 pounds of live rock and a good two inches of live sand. You could have mushrooms, some zoos and a leather coral - some Kenya tree would work too. I would have one hermit crab, 6 snails, and a clown fish. Limit yourself to one fish. 36 watts is enough light. __________________ If you can get your wife hooked into reef keeping, you can spend all the money you want! Current Tank Info: 24 gallon Aquapod Nanotuners 4.32 T-5 lighting upgrade; 24 gallon Aquapod with stock power compacts and actinic lighting; 12 gallon Aquapod with stock power compacts and actinic lighting.

03/17/2008, 11:36 AM	#4
Harry Muscle Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Mississauga, ON Posts: 169	As an example, what could be accomplished with a 8G Oceanic Bio Cube in order to make it as simple to maintain as possible? Could you provide me with a sample stocking list just so I can get an idea of what kind of bio load to expect? Thanks, Harry P.S. Is the 36W of lighting in the BioCube enought to actually have corals? Thanks. P.P.S. Are small tanks considered hard to maintain (just like in the freshwater world)? Cause I've read on another site that small can actually be good when dealing with salt water, but I'm not sure the reason for it.