Friend in need! Starting a 30 gallon tank!

burdman_22 · 04/09/2010, 10:52 PM

My friend plans to start a 30 gallon tank tomorrow. She has a "stock" set of lights, like the ones that come with tanks from walmart and such. She has a filter, and heater, and thats it thus far. She planned on going to the fish store tomorrow and getting liverock AND fish, and she was thinking a puffer and a butterfly, which, I think I talked her out of getting the fish for now. I've not got experience with anything other than a skimmer, and my old tank had an overflow and sump. I'm just wondering, will this filter be ok? It's just a normal carbon filter like you would see on a freshwater tank. Or should she maybe look into getting a hang on back skimmer? I'm sure there are questions I havent asked, I'm sure you guys will remind me of the many many things I overlooked asking about, I mainly just wanted to get a thread started. I've been "out of the business" for a couple years now, so any info would be appreciated, especially from you guys with smaller tanks. Thanks!

IridescentLily · 04/09/2010, 11:13 PM

Is she doing fish only or does she plan on a reef with corals?

No I don't think that kind of filter will work if it's the one I'm thinking if that come with those fw tanks.

Not sure what her budget is but here's a basic list if things she will need.
1. Flow-Powerhead(s)
2. Nutrient export-Skimmer
3. Growth-Lighting with higher par if she wants to keep corals or if the live rock has photosynthetic stuff on it.
4. Cycling-Test kits for ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, ph, alk, Ca
5. Hydrometer or refractometer
6. Salt mix
7. RO/DI unit for sure.
8. Sand
9. Mag scraper for algae
10. Filtration-Canister is the cheapest route, unless she's going to incorporate a sump with return, then she may want to use a small reactor for carbon and/or gfo.
There are some less expensive hang on the back filters/skimmers/fuge also.

Is she running a fuge and/or a sump? The rest of the list (like a return pump) will depend on the answer.
If so, is the tank drilled or will she be doing a hang on the back overflow, etc?
I may be forgetting something but others may post here and add stuff anything that's necessary if that's the case.

I highly, highly, highly suggest she come here to rc and read Waterkeeper's sticky threads up top of this section, everything newbies need to know. Unless you wanna print out multiple pages for her lol.
Also, read Cap'n Hylinur's thread here on this section.
Hope that helps. :-)

burdman_22 · 04/09/2010, 11:28 PM

Oh crap, I forgot all about the RO/DI unit, glad you caught that! And she will not be using any kind of sump or fuge, she wants it to be as cheap as possible. Also, I figured the current lighting would work since she is not looking to add coral or anything anytime soon. Do you have any suggestions on the filter-canister....I have no clue about that kinda thing, I didnt use it in my tank since I had a sump. And whats the approximate cost for a 30 gallon sized one?

IridescentLily · 04/10/2010, 12:01 AM

The one for 35 gallon is around 100.00 give or take 10.00 depending on where you get it.
The Aquaclear or Prism hang on the back filters are about the same price.
Still expensive for her budget maybe but that's how much they usually cost.
Good for you for stopping her from killing those fish she was gonna buy, Yikes. :-o
The most important thing she will need, is patience. I assume you will stress this point to her. :-)

PS. I forgot, she'll need a heater and thermometer (doh), and containers for mixing.

Sugar Magnolia · 04/10/2010, 06:53 AM

Tell her not to skimp if she's buying a canister filter. You buy cheap, you get a cheap product. I was pretty happy with my Rena xp3 that I used to use on my 30g. I had used Fluval at one time, but it was more trouble than worth. Basically, she will want to get one that makes maintenence a breeze. Fluval, not so much. Rena xp, yes. Even better would be one of the Eheim canisters but those are a bit more $$$.

If she is going FOWLR then the stock lighting is fine. When/if she decides to try out corals she will definitely need to upgrade her lighting.

Lastly, she will need the test kits and hydrometer/refractomenter Abril mentioned above, and at least 4-6 weeks of patience while the cycle does it's thing. NO LIVESTOCK until the cycle is complete.

EllieSuz · 04/10/2010, 07:02 AM

Your friend has little chance of success if she is unwilling to do some research before she begins this hobby. Her preliminary plans indicate a lack of understanding of the hobby or welfare of the livestock. We no longer cycle our systems with sacrificial fish and the two fish she is planning on are not hardy enough to withstand any kind of ammonia cycle. The Puffer and Butterfly are both species for an established tank and larger than the one she plans. Please urge her to do a great deal of homework before she spends good money on a disaster in the making.

burdman_22 · 04/10/2010, 08:29 AM

Well she's not getting any fish, I talked her into cycling, and she is picking up some tests and a skimmer and some other stuff today. She is gonna email me when she gets home and let me know what all she picked up. I am going to try to get her to start using reefcentral. I will post an update whenever she emails me

seamom · 06/13/2010, 08:24 PM

If she doesn't want to invest in a RO/DI, distilled water works fine. I have used it without issues for the last 2-3 years. Also, I agree, canisters can work. No problems while I have used them. Tell her to clean it regularly, though. I have used the Rena xP3, Eheim 2213, and Eheim ECCO. All work great. If she eventually wants to hook up a UV sterilizer, the Eheim 2213 work great as the flow is low enough to provide exposure while also cleaning the water before it gets to the UV.

04/09/2010, 10:52 PM	#1
burdman_22 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Beale AFB, CA Posts: 98	Friend in need! Starting a 30 gallon tank! My friend plans to start a 30 gallon tank tomorrow. She has a "stock" set of lights, like the ones that come with tanks from walmart and such. She has a filter, and heater, and thats it thus far. She planned on going to the fish store tomorrow and getting liverock AND fish, and she was thinking a puffer and a butterfly, which, I think I talked her out of getting the fish for now. I've not got experience with anything other than a skimmer, and my old tank had an overflow and sump. I'm just wondering, will this filter be ok? It's just a normal carbon filter like you would see on a freshwater tank. Or should she maybe look into getting a hang on back skimmer? I'm sure there are questions I havent asked, I'm sure you guys will remind me of the many many things I overlooked asking about, I mainly just wanted to get a thread started. I've been "out of the business" for a couple years now, so any info would be appreciated, especially from you guys with smaller tanks. Thanks!

04/09/2010, 11:13 PM	#2
IridescentLily Editor-Reefkeeping mag Join Date: May 2008 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico Posts: 3,858 Blog Entries: 5	Re: Friend in need! Starting a 30 gallon tank! Is she doing fish only or does she plan on a reef with corals? No I don't think that kind of filter will work if it's the one I'm thinking if that come with those fw tanks. Not sure what her budget is but here's a basic list if things she will need. 1. Flow-Powerhead(s) 2. Nutrient export-Skimmer 3. Growth-Lighting with higher par if she wants to keep corals or if the live rock has photosynthetic stuff on it. 4. Cycling-Test kits for ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, ph, alk, Ca 5. Hydrometer or refractometer 6. Salt mix 7. RO/DI unit for sure. 8. Sand 9. Mag scraper for algae 10. Filtration-Canister is the cheapest route, unless she's going to incorporate a sump with return, then she may want to use a small reactor for carbon and/or gfo. There are some less expensive hang on the back filters/skimmers/fuge also. Is she running a fuge and/or a sump? The rest of the list (like a return pump) will depend on the answer. If so, is the tank drilled or will she be doing a hang on the back overflow, etc? I may be forgetting something but others may post here and add stuff anything that's necessary if that's the case. I highly, highly, highly suggest she come here to rc and read Waterkeeper's sticky threads up top of this section, everything newbies need to know. Unless you wanna print out multiple pages for her lol. Also, read Cap'n Hylinur's thread here on this section. Hope that helps. :-) __________________ ~April Editor-Reefkeeping Magazine

04/10/2010, 12:01 AM	#4
IridescentLily Editor-Reefkeeping mag Join Date: May 2008 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico Posts: 3,858 Blog Entries: 5	Re: Friend in need! Starting a 30 gallon tank! The one for 35 gallon is around 100.00 give or take 10.00 depending on where you get it. The Aquaclear or Prism hang on the back filters are about the same price. Still expensive for her budget maybe but that's how much they usually cost. Good for you for stopping her from killing those fish she was gonna buy, Yikes. :-o The most important thing she will need, is patience. I assume you will stress this point to her. :-) PS. I forgot, she'll need a heater and thermometer (doh), and containers for mixing. __________________ ~April Editor-Reefkeeping Magazine

04/10/2010, 06:53 AM	#5
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	Tell her not to skimp if she's buying a canister filter. You buy cheap, you get a cheap product. I was pretty happy with my Rena xp3 that I used to use on my 30g. I had used Fluval at one time, but it was more trouble than worth. Basically, she will want to get one that makes maintenence a breeze. Fluval, not so much. Rena xp, yes. Even better would be one of the Eheim canisters but those are a bit more $$$. If she is going FOWLR then the stock lighting is fine. When/if she decides to try out corals she will definitely need to upgrade her lighting. Lastly, she will need the test kits and hydrometer/refractomenter Abril mentioned above, and at least 4-6 weeks of patience while the cycle does it's thing. NO LIVESTOCK until the cycle is complete. __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

04/10/2010, 07:02 AM	#6
EllieSuz Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 3,858	Your friend has little chance of success if she is unwilling to do some research before she begins this hobby. Her preliminary plans indicate a lack of understanding of the hobby or welfare of the livestock. We no longer cycle our systems with sacrificial fish and the two fish she is planning on are not hardy enough to withstand any kind of ammonia cycle. The Puffer and Butterfly are both species for an established tank and larger than the one she plans. Please urge her to do a great deal of homework before she spends good money on a disaster in the making. __________________ "You can't learn this hobby one question at a time." (Mr. Tuskfish) Eileen Current Tank Info: I'm out of the hobby, but used to have a60 gal. reef, refugium in sump, Internal Mag 9 return, SC 302 skimmer, two Maxi-Jet 1200's modded, four bulb T5 Lighting, Reefkeeper Lite Controller with three PC4's, Little Fishes GFO reactor.

04/09/2010, 11:28 PM	#3
burdman_22 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Beale AFB, CA Posts: 98	Oh crap, I forgot all about the RO/DI unit, glad you caught that! And she will not be using any kind of sump or fuge, she wants it to be as cheap as possible. Also, I figured the current lighting would work since she is not looking to add coral or anything anytime soon. Do you have any suggestions on the filter-canister....I have no clue about that kinda thing, I didnt use it in my tank since I had a sump. And whats the approximate cost for a 30 gallon sized one?

04/10/2010, 08:29 AM	#7
burdman_22 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Beale AFB, CA Posts: 98	Well she's not getting any fish, I talked her into cycling, and she is picking up some tests and a skimmer and some other stuff today. She is gonna email me when she gets home and let me know what all she picked up. I am going to try to get her to start using reefcentral. I will post an update whenever she emails me

06/13/2010, 08:24 PM	#8
seamom Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 53	If she doesn't want to invest in a RO/DI, distilled water works fine. I have used it without issues for the last 2-3 years. Also, I agree, canisters can work. No problems while I have used them. Tell her to clean it regularly, though. I have used the Rena xP3, Eheim 2213, and Eheim ECCO. All work great. If she eventually wants to hook up a UV sterilizer, the Eheim 2213 work great as the flow is low enough to provide exposure while also cleaning the water before it gets to the UV.