I want to setup an saltwater aquarium!

[tomek77pl]

hi i had an freshwater aquarium but i want to start an saltwater one.I have a 20 gallon tank and i have a cascade canister filter, heater and a light ( TropicSun 5500k daylight but idk if its good for freshwater).I i just want maybe 2 clowsfish or so and maybe some kind of marine plant. what stuff do i need, do i need to buy an protein skimmer and liverock? can you guys help because i want to get into this hobbie and maybe i will want to get a 55 gal tank later on.
thanks for your help guys

[210reefer]

It will be more work with a 20 but def. possible. I woul loose the filter and get a skimmer for sure, especially since you can get a decent hang on for a tank that size for under $150 used. I would also get new lighting, if you do not think you will add corals to the 20, even a pc set up would be an improvement and T5 would make the clowns pop, neither are big $$ for a tank that size and again, get used and save the $$$.

[FortyFour]

definitely need some LR (the more the better). Try craigslist if you want a deal, just be sure you know how to identify the good from the bad ones.

You can learn a lot here by reading some of the articles under the "new to the hobby" forums. Tons of things I wish I had read before my first tank. It will make you life much easier.

[Chiefsurfer]

To Reef Central

I agree with both above. You definitely want a skimmer, and lights for a SW tank. As stated, PC fixture will work. Those are your 2 biggest purchases. T5 would be great, BUT if you don't want to get into the coral end they are fine. And they can work for soft corals, which are about the lowest maintenance. If you want some circulation for your fish, which they will enjoy, you can get a Koralia 1. And if you want to get into more flow for certain corals, you can just add another one.

For skimmer, Eshopps makes a great hang-on. PSK-75H. I have one, and a few other members, on their 20 gallon tanks, and it works great, and goes for about $150 new.

As for the lights, as stated, there are plenty of deals floating around Craigslist.

In terms of stocking the LR and a Clean-up-crew for your tank(will include some snails and hermits) might I suggest TampaBaySaltwater. They have a sponsor section at the bottom of the forum menu area. I just got what's called "the package" there. EVERYTHING all told cost me $341 including shipping. That includes 40 lbs of rock(doing fish only you could probably opt to only use 30 lbs, and try and sell the other 10 lbs online) and 20 lbs of sand. And all the CUC members you need, including snails, dwarf blue leg hermits, sea cucumbers, 1 peppermint shrimp, a tiger goby. I got some extra sponges, and sea fans, and even a turkey-wing clam. I think the price of the package, excluding shipping(any rock you order online wil have to be shipped as well) was $240. Take out $60 for the CUC, peppermint shrimp, and goby. Then $20 for the sand, and you are at 160 for the rock. That comes out to roughly $4/lb. For good rock, that is hard to come by for a price.

[five O]

Check CL, you could prob get an entire set up for around $400. It will save you a ton of cash in long run. Just do a ton of research here on RC before you buy

[justurmom]

bigger the better

[tomek77pl]

you think i can get like a skimmer for 50 bucks like a small one im 16 years old and i dont have a job so i want to pay the leastamount of money and how much would lighting cost

[justurmom]

lighting depends on what kind of corals you are planning on keeping. softies you might pull off with vho or is you are interested in sps or a mix, you can go haolide or T5. considering your costs you might have a dilema. try find a good used on off of CL or even on the buy/sell forum here.

[NirvanaFan]

read, read, and when you think you've read enough, read some more.

If you're just looking for a couple clownfish, it won't be expensive at all. I would suggest some live rock. You could get away with 10-15 pounds probably. Lighting for corals gets expensive.

If you only have 2 clowns you could probably get away with not having a skimmer.

[tomek77pl]

if i would want to get a sea ananomie for the clowfish i would need a skimmer and lighting for sure right

[Rensmif]

keep reading quality reading info - good luck

[tomek77pl]

some guy is giving out a 55 gal tank with metal stand mabey if i get it it would help me out in my saltwater aquarium dream lol

[Chiefsurfer]

if you can in ANY WAY afford the tank, and equipment, the larger the aquarium the easier it will be because the parameters will be more stable. But, it will be more costly.

I would suggest shooting for 75 maybe, it's a little bit wider, and gives you more options, but if you can get a great deal on a 55, go for it. You can make the 20 into a sump.

[tomek77pl]

whats a sump? sry if i ask stupid questions

[BayAreaBigMac]

A sump is a tank, usually, under your tank. It is used as an overflow recepticle that houses your equipment like heaters, skimmer etc.. It also can be used to have a refugium, which is a place to grow macro algea and food sorce critter for your tank. It adds to your overall water volume and adds ALOT of flexability to your system.

[210reefer]

No such thing as stupid questions.......

A sump will also keep water levels from changing in the display and top offs easier since it will be added to the sump and provide additional oxygen exchange on top of what tomek mentioed, well worth the invetment but not required.