Noob =)

[hamholla]

Hi everyone!

Just joined the site! I do have a question though

So I just upgraded the lighting in my 55 gallon freshwater tank and I have an empty 10 gallon. I have kept freshwater tanks for about 2 years now. Anyways I was trying to figure out what I could do with my extra 10 gallon, and I think I want to convert it to a salt tank.

I have done some research but I know its going to be a difficult tank to maintain. So if at all possible what would be a good starter setup?

[Kevin_Bullis]

for a nano yes. I would use the 55 for a first tank personally.

[hamholla]

But my angels love the 55 =)

[Kevin_Bullis]

go for the 10 then...just read read read and read some more. If I were you I would run a 10 gallon sump under it to add more water to the system

[hamholla]

great idea! any ideas on good starter inhabitants? I know I'm going to be extremely limited and of course i am going to establish the system first, but it'd be cool to get some ideas.

[isildursbane]

You could also get a 20 Long tank as your main SW and use the 10 you have for the sump, jmho.

[sn4265]

Or even blow $40 at Petco and get a 40 breeder as the main tank and use the 10 as a sump.

[zvonmonet]

the bigger the tank the less problems you gonna have... tanks themselves aren't that expensive look at craigslist or kijiji and find a nice deal on some equipment too it will help with the trial and error

[hamholla]

Thanks guys! probably going to use something like a 30 gal for the display and a 10 for the sump

Need to look up directions for the sump also need to buy new filter, protein skimmer, lighting (just bought a new t5 for my 55 ) any recommendations?

also what would be a good stocking list? live rock, looking at false percula probably...

keep in mind im new to the salt scene and i am trying my best to learn!

[dublo8]

Visit the nano forums on here and check out what they're doing. They really aren't difficult to maintain at all. I started with a 5 gallon..moved to a 10....then to a 20 and next should be a 65g or a 125. The small nano tanks are fun and you can do a lot with them.

[hamholla]

thanks, I've been looking at the guys in the nano section, theyre awesome!

can't thank yall enough for the support. Hopefully I will get things rolling, im really excited to setup a salt tank, especially because my school has a program where they will literally give out live rock to students

[EdMan71]

Read alot. I personally would use 40-55 gallon. The more water the slower water parameters go out of wak.

[hamholla]

Thanks EdMan, I realize that the larger the tank the easier to maintain (to a degree) but I have limited space in my apartment haha... I have a 55 freshwater but I would like to use a 30ish gallon... I will visit my LEGIT lfs ( I say that bc there is one that is okay but the other is awesome & 20 mins away haha). Maybe il use my 10 as a sump now.

answers to come tomorrow =)

[aleonn]

Looks like you're well on your way. Good luck with your tank(s)!

[zvonmonet]

i think you should pick up a used one from craigslist just make sure it has water in it and some stuff i found a deal for 300 bucks here is a video



just research and look around LFS is never a good place to get anything in my opinion if you want it to be cheap (but you don't get no guarantees that it will work like you want it to )

for lighting i recommend a cheap option which is www.aquatraders.com they have mixed reviews some are good some are bad but you get an amazing price for the stuff you buy deff can't get anything cheaper

if you have any questions you can msg me i am not an expert by no means but learned a bit in my first month reefing ))

[streak]

Do you remeber ever treating copper in the 10 gallon tank?? if you did i wouldnt plan on keeping any inverts in there.. Methelyen blue/copper relateded medications of any kind check and see if your silcone is stained or if you need to make a trip to petco for a new even 10g tank... to be safe... Example of my nano tank.. after 6 months i know the nem police are gunna get me lol but she doing just fine i got a way oversize skimmer and i do a weekly water change of 20% with added trace mins feeding lps and sps. Silver side about 1/4 inch.






4 watts per gallon using coralife compact floro bulbs 50/50 20wt x 2
with a standard incadacent(sp?) hood modified painted white i saw a video on youtube about nano sumthing.. way before i found reef central.. anyhow good luck!!

[lordofthereef]

I think petco has the $1 per gallon sale going still (up to 40g). I did a 10 got two years. I wouldn't say o had a harder time with it than other tanks but it also wasn't my first salt tank.

[hamholla]

thanks! im gona shop around today haha

As for the copper treating thats a negatory but im glad you asked =)

Been looking on craigslist, all o the good offers are too far away! haha
Anyways im not going to jump right in on anything today (as much as i am a complulsive shopper) but I am going to look around and get some ideas. If anything happens I will certainly let you guys know!

[hamholla]

p.s beautiful pics/videos!

[hamholla]

just purchased a 29gallon, plain marine sand, a marineland pro heater, a marineland 150 biowheel filter(i have a similar one on my 55), and instant ocean salt...

I will set everything up today, probably take pics, i need to purchase lighting and get ideas for my 10gallon sump, and buy protein skimmer eventually...

not in a rush but having all this new stuff is exciting =)

[Sk8r]

See if you can return that filter. All else is good. Filtration in a marine tank is done with live rock rife with bacteria and worms, never needs changing, no fuss, no problem, 1 lb per gallon. Get one piece of good rock, all the rest just good dry rock, (no metal content) and you're good, in about 8 weeks---you'll watch the microlife of your tank start to develop, worms multiplying, all sorts of bugs. Algaes. Then you add micro-hermits and snails you buy; wait another couple of weeks, (and by then have your first fish in quarantine---quarantine is VERY important in the marine hobby) and you'll be underway. Honestly, watching the microlife go is about as much fun as watching the fish. You wouldn't believe a crab can have a distinct personality, but they can.

[hamholla]

so do not put the filter on? just let it sit with everything else? should i wait for the salt to settle before i add the rocks? haha lots of questions, just want to get things right! =)

[zvonmonet]

premix the salt when you add the water always like in a garbage bin or something then add the already ready water... you gonna need to go through a cycle before you put anything in go google how to cycle a saltwater tank there are many different options but you can put the sand after your salt is mixed

[hamholla]

got a coral life 65 skimmer when i took back the filter, should i put anything else in my tank? skimmer was a pain btw haha

also would you recommend cycling with live rock?

[zvonmonet]

yes thats the best way and you can add some bacteria to speed it up ask in your LFS they should help you with what bacteria but it will help you... post some pics so we can suggest whats good and whats not