Starting a new Saltwater Fish Only Tank - Need Advice

[Ayan]

Hi everyone, i am new to saltwater i've been keeping freshwater for more than 3 years now so i decided to take a step further and start a saltwater tank. I've been researching a lot about saltwater and i still think i need a lot of help to start one.

I went to a pet shop and purchased a 29 gallon tank similar to the nano cube with built in filter but i think this tank is for freshwater. i also got some artificial corals. so now i need some help to start the cycle of this tank.

I have some questions

1. Since the tank is 29 gallons and fish only can i go without a protein skimmer?
2. If i choose to go without a protein skimmer can i do 25% water change every month?
3. How do i start the cycle? can i purchase the salt put ro water and live sand at the same time. Should i also put in 30 pounds of live rock at the same time?
4. Would normal Quick Dips work to test the water parameters?
5. I have a maxi jet 1200. Is it way to much for the 30 gallon tank?
6. Last but not least how long should i cycle the tank for and what kind of equipment should i put in the tank and what kind of fish should i introduce first?
7. Do i need a water conditioner for the ro water?

Thanks

[IridescentLily]

You need ammonia, nirtite, and nitrate testing kits very soon, like tomorrow
That's a must to be able to decipher the cycle status.

[IridescentLily]

Originally Posted by Ayan

Hi everyone, i am new to saltwater i've been keeping freshwater for more than 3 years now so i decided to take a step further and start a saltwater tank. I've been researching a lot about saltwater and i still think i need a lot of help to start one.

I went to a pet shop and purchased a 29 gallon tank similar to the nano cube with built in filter but i think this tank is for freshwater. i also got some artificial corals. so now i need some help to start the cycle of this tank.

I have some questions

1. Since the tank is 29 gallons and fish only can i go without a protein skimmer?
You should still get one soon.
2. If i choose to go without a protein skimmer can i do 25% water change every month?
I suppose.
3. How do i start the cycle? can i purchase the salt put ro water and live sand at the same time. Should i also put in 30 pounds of live rock at the same time?
A piece of raw shrimp will jump start the cycle. And your lice rock will cycle you through.
4. Would normal Quick Dips work to test the water parameters?
I'm not familiar with quick dips are.
5. I have a maxi jet 1200. Is it way to much for the 30 gallon tank?
No. It's not too big.
6. Last but not least how long should i cycle the tank for and what kind of equipment should i put in the tank and what kind of fish should i introduce first?
7. Do i need a water conditioner for the ro water?
definitely don't have to when you're using ro.

Thanks

[EllieSuz]

To Reef Central

There are permanent threads at the top of this forum. We call them "stickies". All of your questions are answered there. Once you have read this information, you can ask questions again and they will be more specific and easier for us to answer. This is the best chance you will ever have to do things right the first time. It's so much better than the trial and error method that many of us were stuck with before we discovered Reef Central.

[Ayan]

Hi, Could you please tell me where to ask the questions? Which threat should i ask my questions in?

[IridescentLily]

What are your other questions?

[Palting]

Originally Posted by Ayan

Hi, Could you please tell me where to ask the questions? Which threat should i ask my questions in?

You're in the right place to ask these questions. However, if you look at the beginning of this newbie forum, there are threads with padlock icons to the left of the thread, and the threads are at the top. We here call them "stickies" since they get "stuck" up top and are the first threads in the forum. They provide all the basic information that you need to start a tank, and then some . They also have the answers to the questions you ave asked, and the rationale behind the answers.

Except for the skimmer.

The threads are biased towards reef. For a fish only tank, they will tolerate dirtier tanks and are much more forgiving. You can elect to not use a skimmer in a fish only tank.

Read those stickies, and you will be much better for it as a sltwater hobbyist. Happy reading!!!

[IridescentLily]

To Reef Central

Originally Posted by Ayan

Hi everyone, i am new to saltwater i've been keeping freshwater for more than 3 years now so i decided to take a step further and start a saltwater tank. I've been researching a lot about saltwater and i still think i need a lot of help to start one.

I went to a pet shop and purchased a 29 gallon tank similar to the nano cube with built in filter but i think this tank is for freshwater. i also got some artificial corals. so now i need some help to start the cycle of this tank.

I have some questions

1. Since the tank is 29 gallons and fish only can i go without a protein skimmer?
You are still need to get one soon
2. If i choose to go without a protein skimmer can i do 25% water change every month?
Maybe 10-20% is better[\b]
3. How do i start the cycle? can i purchase the salt put ro water and live sand at the same time. Should i also put in 30 pounds of live rock at the same time?
You mux the salt first in a big container with a water pump to mix for a few hours.
4. Would normal Quick Dips work to test the water parameters?
Don't know what quick dips are.
5. I have a maxi jet 1200. Is it way to much for the 30 gallon tank?
No, it's not too much
6. Last but not least how long should i cycle the tank for and what kind of equipment should i put in the tank and what kind of fish should i introduce first?
Cycle with a piece of raw shrimp. You need ammonia, nitrite and nitrate tests to know when it's cycled.
7. Do i need a water conditioner for the ro water?
No

Thanks

[IridescentLily]

Okay, i'll just pm you

[Palting]

BTW, love the new avatar, April