New to the hobby questions

workstoomuch · 07/13/2007, 05:30 PM

Hello all, I have been checking this forum out for a little while doing a little research before I bought my first fish tank. Now I have some questions.

I just picked-up a 14g biocube from the LFS, to set-up in my surf shop. Tuesday the stand for it comes in, so I have to wait to start setting things up. I'm going to get some live sand and live rock. I will add a few clown fish after the tank has cycled.

Is there anything else I need or should plan on getting in the future?

Thanks ahead of time for the help and advice.

kkyyllee · 07/13/2007, 05:34 PM

u wont be able to have a "few" clownfish you can have a pair at most

Rue · 07/13/2007, 05:40 PM

...yes...not too many fish! I'd say a pair of clownfish will max you out...

kuoka · 07/13/2007, 06:03 PM

You might be able to add a couple (not much more than that) of small fish like gobies or blennies. If you do, you might consider a bigger tank in the future after these fish grow some.

workstoomuch · 07/13/2007, 06:10 PM

Sorry, I should have been more clear. Yes, two clownfish is all I want in there.

I live in the south down here "few" means two. Y'all.

workstoomuch · 07/15/2007, 12:08 PM

bump

theatrus · 07/15/2007, 12:24 PM

Just make sure you have the basics, some circulation, a heater (and don't let the water temp climb too high, so keep your AC running). Salt mix (IO works well) unless you're buying premixed. Basic test kit to tell you how your cycle is going (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate). Salinity meter (refractometer best, swing arm ok). pH test kit.

WaterKeeper · 07/15/2007, 12:32 PM

Hi Workstoomuch

To Reef Central

You other concerns will be lighting, heating and circulation. The lighting depends on what you wish to keep. For fish only the standard lights that came with you unit are fine but if you also want an anemone for the tank they are far too dim. The same goes for many corals who demand intense light in many cases.

Also, there should be some flow in the tank but large amounts of flow for corals and other inverts. Heating a small tank requires some higher watt heaters as small tanks lose heat far faster than large ones. At least a 50 watts total in your case and 100 watts would not be over doing it as I assume the shop has central air on 24/7.

kuoka · 07/15/2007, 01:35 PM

Hi Workstoomuch.. you might want to subscribe to this email series. It's a 101 on saltwater aquariums.

http://saltaquarium.about.com/c/ec/1.htm

Wett Hands · 07/15/2007, 04:27 PM

Another good link to check out:
So, you want to start a Marine tankâ€¦

Scuba_Steve · 07/16/2007, 07:14 AM

Dont forget, the most famed thread here on RC........
The New Tank Thread

Wett Hands · 07/16/2007, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Scuba_Steve
Dont forget, the most famed thread here on RC........
The New Tank Thread

Quite right Steve.. I was gonna post it also, but couldnt find it

workstoomuch · 07/16/2007, 11:41 AM

Thanks everyone for the replies and links. Lots of good information there. I appreciate the help.

I forgot about getting a heater, I'll pick one of those up tomorrow. I already ordered test kits and a refractometer, figure I spend the money on one now given everything I've read on what a PITA hydrometers are.

Thanks again.

WaterKeeper · 07/17/2007, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Wett Hands
Quite right Steve.. I was gonna post it also, but couldnt find it

That's because I hide it when Newbies start showing up and slowing down the board.

Wett Hands · 07/17/2007, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by WaterKeeper
That's because I hide it when Newbies start showing up and slowing down the board.

Why I oughta.....

07/13/2007, 05:30 PM	#1
workstoomuch Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Titusville, FL Posts: 59	New to the hobby questions Hello all, I have been checking this forum out for a little while doing a little research before I bought my first fish tank. Now I have some questions. I just picked-up a 14g biocube from the LFS, to set-up in my surf shop. Tuesday the stand for it comes in, so I have to wait to start setting things up. I'm going to get some live sand and live rock. I will add a few clown fish after the tank has cycled. Is there anything else I need or should plan on getting in the future? Thanks ahead of time for the help and advice.

07/13/2007, 05:40 PM	#3
Rue Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Saskatchewan Canada Posts: 938	...yes...not too many fish! I'd say a pair of clownfish will max you out... __________________ Authorized Pistol Shrimp/Goby Matchmaker... Current Tank Info: RSM 34g; 27g custom frag tank coming soon! FW: 25g community, 55g goldfish, 25l plakat

07/13/2007, 06:03 PM	#4
kuoka Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: NorCal Cali Posts: 713	You might be able to add a couple (not much more than that) of small fish like gobies or blennies. If you do, you might consider a bigger tank in the future after these fish grow some. __________________ They say don't talk about someone unless you've walked a mile in their shoes.. But if you do, at least you'll be ahead of them AND have their shoes! :) Current Tank Info: 72gal glass bow front reef, mostly LPS with some SPS, tangs, anthias, blenny, paired percula clowns, gold headed sleeper goby, red fairy wrasse

07/15/2007, 12:24 PM	#7
theatrus 100-mile-commuter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: almost nevada Posts: 4,721	Just make sure you have the basics, some circulation, a heater (and don't let the water temp climb too high, so keep your AC running). Salt mix (IO works well) unless you're buying premixed. Basic test kit to tell you how your cycle is going (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate). Salinity meter (refractometer best, swing arm ok). pH test kit. __________________ Custom electronics purveyor. blueAcro.com Current Tank Info: 90g SPS+mixed reef (10 yrs): LEDBrick LEDs, 40g custom sump, Ca reactor, chiller, Vortech, lots of custom electronics

07/15/2007, 12:32 PM	#8
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	Hi Workstoomuch *To Reef Central* You other concerns will be lighting, heating and circulation. The lighting depends on what you wish to keep. For fish only the standard lights that came with you unit are fine but if you also want an anemone for the tank they are far too dim. The same goes for many corals who demand intense light in many cases. Also, there should be some flow in the tank but large amounts of flow for corals and other inverts. Heating a small tank requires some higher watt heaters as small tanks lose heat far faster than large ones. At least a 50 watts total in your case and 100 watts would not be over doing it as I assume the shop has central air on 24/7. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

07/13/2007, 05:34 PM	#2
kkyyllee Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: rescue ca Posts: 963	u wont be able to have a "few" clownfish you can have a pair at most

07/13/2007, 06:10 PM	#5
workstoomuch Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Titusville, FL Posts: 59	Sorry, I should have been more clear. Yes, two clownfish is all I want in there. I live in the south down here "few" means two. Y'all.

07/15/2007, 12:08 PM	#6
workstoomuch Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Titusville, FL Posts: 59	bump

07/15/2007, 01:35 PM	#9
kuoka Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: NorCal Cali Posts: 713	Hi Workstoomuch.. you might want to subscribe to this email series. It's a 101 on saltwater aquariums. http://saltaquarium.about.com/c/ec/1.htm __________________ They say don't talk about someone unless you've walked a mile in their shoes.. But if you do, at least you'll be ahead of them AND have their shoes! :) Current Tank Info: 72gal glass bow front reef, mostly LPS with some SPS, tangs, anthias, blenny, paired percula clowns, gold headed sleeper goby, red fairy wrasse

07/15/2007, 04:27 PM	#10
Wett Hands Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: WNY Posts: 297	Another good link to check out: So, you want to start a Marine tankâ€¦ __________________ "But since your going the other way. I'm afraid, you're going have to get scared... immediately. Current Tank Info: One 10gal, Two 20H FW Planted tanks, 27gal hex BW, 75gal Reef, 3gal Pico Tank

07/16/2007, 07:14 AM	#11
Scuba_Steve Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pooler, Ga Posts: 1,342	Dont forget, the most famed thread here on RC........ The New Tank Thread

07/16/2007, 11:41 AM	#13
workstoomuch Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Titusville, FL Posts: 59	Thanks everyone for the replies and links. Lots of good information there. I appreciate the help. I forgot about getting a heater, I'll pick one of those up tomorrow. I already ordered test kits and a refractometer, figure I spend the money on one now given everything I've read on what a PITA hydrometers are. Thanks again.