Trying to learn how to build a quality tank

wgsarrell · 04/16/2009, 08:08 PM

My name is Warren and im from Gadsded Alabama, I have a 30 gallon tank with a few live rock, mushrooms, one Gobie, and three Green Chromis. I was just wanting to know how many more fish are safe to get and if anyone has any liverock for sale I would like to purchase some more if it is a good price.

Sisterlimonpot · 04/16/2009, 08:13 PM

A few questions before we can answer that. Live rock... Do you know in lbs how much you have? What other type of filtration do you have in your tank? Do you have a sump/refugium? If so how big? Do you have a skimmer?

Sisterlimonpot · 04/16/2009, 08:16 PM

For LR I would check locally first or see if there is a local reef club around. Check out this forum and search for one in your location: http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumd...?s=&forumid=80

wgsarrell · 04/16/2009, 09:17 PM

I have around 20 lbs of live rock, my filter came with the tank so I dont have a name, but it is a double filter. I do not have a skimmer and dont even know what a sump/refugium is. Sorry im not very helpfull

E.intheC · 04/16/2009, 11:06 PM

A skimmer is a crucial part of saltwater systems, IMO.
Take some time and read up on them until you're comfortable enough to make an informed purchase. Unfortunately many of the store bought skimmers aren't up to par. Check here first

As for fish, I think you're almost at the limit for now, until you can get your skimmer going and your params to be great. You could add one or two very small fish. You picked good starter fish though.

Otherwise, weekly water changes will be very helpful.

Sisterlimonpot · 04/17/2009, 07:32 PM

+1. a sump is a place under (over beside) your tank that allows you to holds more salt water and a place to house all your unsightly equipment (like you skimmer that you're going to get) and also a refugium which people use for either housing Macroalgae (which helps aid in nutrient export) and pod populations.

04/16/2009, 08:08 PM	#1
wgsarrell Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Oxford, Alabama Posts: 3	Trying to learn how to build a quality tank My name is Warren and im from Gadsded Alabama, I have a 30 gallon tank with a few live rock, mushrooms, one Gobie, and three Green Chromis. I was just wanting to know how many more fish are safe to get and if anyone has any liverock for sale I would like to purchase some more if it is a good price.

04/16/2009, 08:13 PM	#2
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	A few questions before we can answer that. Live rock... Do you know in lbs how much you have? What other type of filtration do you have in your tank? Do you have a sump/refugium? If so how big? Do you have a skimmer? __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

04/16/2009, 08:16 PM	#3
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	For LR I would check locally first or see if there is a local reef club around. Check out this forum and search for one in your location: http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumd...?s=&forumid=80 __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

04/16/2009, 11:06 PM	#5
E.intheC Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 5,373	A skimmer is a crucial part of saltwater systems, IMO. Take some time and read up on them until you're comfortable enough to make an informed purchase. Unfortunately many of the store bought skimmers aren't up to par. Check here first As for fish, I think you're almost at the limit for now, until you can get your skimmer going and your params to be great. You could add one or two very small fish. You picked good starter fish though. Otherwise, weekly water changes will be very helpful. __________________ -Eric

04/17/2009, 07:32 PM	#6
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	+1. a sump is a place under (over beside) your tank that allows you to holds more salt water and a place to house all your unsightly equipment (like you skimmer that you're going to get) and also a refugium which people use for either housing Macroalgae (which helps aid in nutrient export) and pod populations. __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

04/16/2009, 09:17 PM	#4
wgsarrell Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Oxford, Alabama Posts: 3	I have around 20 lbs of live rock, my filter came with the tank so I dont have a name, but it is a double filter. I do not have a skimmer and dont even know what a sump/refugium is. Sorry im not very helpfull