setting up first Marine tank :)

[jaival]

Hello every one,

to start with bit of intro, I am Jaival Parikh, business man from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. it is my second post in this forum, keeping a track of this forum and peeking around quite long now and its excellent, very helpful.

I am in hobby since quite long and specially into planted tanks since 2 years, but now want to keep marines, thought this will be the best platform to get help.

Its been a long since I had a desire to keep a marine tank, now slowly thinking up the plan to have it finalized..


would appericiate your help in my marine tank preparation, now experts jump in and answer the queries please


Tank size : 6X2X2 feet

sump : 5X 1.5 X 2 feet



1. Will be keeping only percula clown fish may be a small group of them(like most of the hobbyist, Nemo Inspired me a lot fell in love with them but never had chance to get one ) and then once the aquarium is set may be few tangs and my dream fish Mandarin. (this ll be later part may be after 6-8 months one the tank has been started)

2. And do I require protein skimmer or water change will require?

3. What are the ideal water parameters...??

4. is it necessary to keep live rocks ? what are the positives and negatives of LR ??

5. what should be the ideal lighting for the fish only tank ?

6. what is the best substrate to go for ? LFS who deals in the best of marines and have successful marine running since quite long suggested me to go for chinese made live sand.

7. whether to go for sump or external filters ?? i have 3 canister filters that can be attached to this tank.

8. Can i keep Anemon if i go for Artificial rocks ??

i want this tank to be more on low maintenance so planning for artificial rock, but if you guys advise to keep live rock and can share the full details of maintenance of live rocks, i am ready to keep them. As such LR is working out to be much cheaper than artificial rock, but i have to cut down on maintenance.

this project might take anywhere from 1-2 months.

Thanks everyone for the replies, i appreciate it.

[TL1000RSquid]

No more then 2 clowns in a tank, Ideally when you purchase them get one thats small(under 2 inches) and one thats a bit larger to ensure you end up with a male/female pair, 2 females will fight.

I'd suggest a skimmer but weekly water changes can suffice until you start adding corals or stock the tank more heavily.

Ideal parameters well starting with RODI water and a good marine salt mix will start the water out at the correct levels, 76-83 degrees Fahrenheit 1.020-1.026 salinity, 8.0-8.4 ph, 0 nitrate, phosphate, ammonia, nitrite

Live rock acts as biofiltration, you don't have to fill the tank with live rock off the bat but I would get dry reef rock and a few pounds of live rock.

Fish only type of lighting isn't to important, something in the 10000k-15000k white light spectrum and actinic 420nm-460nm gives the nicer right looking light though.

argonite based sand is the preferred substrate, different grades of how fine you want it to be can vary depending on bottom dwelling fish or invertabrates you keep.

Filtration I prefer sump, if you do use canisters keep in mind they need to be cleaned out much more frequent then a freshwater setup or they can become a nitrate factory.

Nem's on fake rocks not sure how well that works, I've seen it in the big box petstores here. Also for nem's you'll need better lighting then the minimal fish only setup, metal halide, high end LED's, 4+ bulb T5HO.

Live rock isn't hard to maintain just siphon of detris when doing water changes.

[Agu]

I'd suggest you get the Conscientious Marine Aquarist and learn the basics first. It'll save you a lot of time and money.

[ajcanale]

i want this tank to be more on low maintenance so planning for artificial rock, but if you guys advise to keep live rock and can share the full details of maintenance of live rocks, i am ready to keep them.

This statement alone speaks volumes in that you have not completed adequate research to prepare yourself for the beginner stages of the hobby. Live rock is essentially a form of filtration. It requires no maintenance provided you keep some basic levels in check.


Also, I have never heard the term "chinese made live sand"

There is a long list of stickies posted at the top of the "New to the Hobby" forum... I suggest you start reading up with these first:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2075632
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2153097
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1696795

Every question you asked is already answered in these.

[chrisfont23]

I would invest in an Rodi unit too. And live rock is probably your most important purchase. IMO, u have a ton of research to do.

[jaival]

thanks everyone

[jaival]

No more then 2 clowns in a tank, Ideally when you purchase them get one thats small(under 2 inches) and one thats a bit larger to ensure you end up with a male/female pair, 2 females will fight.

Answer :i have seen tanks with lots of clowns in single tank ?? what if my plan is to include 12-16 nos of clown and 2 yellow tank/regal tang ??



I'd suggest a skimmer but weekly water changes can suffice until you start adding corals or stock the tank more heavily.

Answer :the stocking will not be heavy till first 6-8 months and corals for sure after 2-3 years.



Ideal parameters well starting with RODI water and a good marine salt mix will start the water out at the correct levels, 76-83 degrees Fahrenheit 1.020-1.026 salinity, 8.0-8.4 ph, 0 nitrate, phosphate, ammonia, nitrite

Answer :RODI unit is very expensive, will source the mineral water from market, and for the salt mix will be using Red Sea




Live rock acts as biofiltration, you don't have to fill the tank with live rock off the bat but I would get dry reef rock and a few pounds of live rock.

Answer :dry reef rocks are not available here, i have tried making DIY rock will post the pics in some time



Fish only type of lighting isn't to important, something in the 10000k-15000k white light spectrum and actinic 420nm-460nm gives the nicer right looking light though.

Answer :have thought of T5 10,000 K and actinic blue.





argonite based sand is the preferred substrate, different grades of how fine you want it to be can vary depending on bottom dwelling fish or invertabrates you keep.

Answer :may be cleaner shrimps and snails as clean ups, and in future might think of watchman goby, should 1-2 inch thickness should do ??




Nem's on fake rocks not sure how well that works, I've seen it in the big box petstores here. Also for nem's you'll need better lighting then the minimal fish only setup, metal halide, high end LED's, 4+ bulb T5HO.

Answer :will drop the idea of anemos at the moment.

[jaival]

Originally Posted by ajcanale

This statement alone speaks volumes in that you have not completed adequate research to prepare yourself for the beginner stages of the hobby. Live rock is essentially a form of filtration. It requires no maintenance provided you keep some basic levels in check.

can you please help me elaborate No maintenance please....

and thanks for the links these are helpful have started reading.

[jaival]

Originally Posted by chrisfont23

I would invest in an Rodi unit too. And live rock is probably your most important purchase. IMO, u have a ton of research to do.

RODI unit is very expensive to get. i will source mineral water when needed for water change and every thing.

i have started reading... i know it require lot of reading.

[jaival]

A small update:


made the rock, here are the few pics that i clicked.


the recipe:
4 cups of washed and damp coral sand
4 cups of white portland cement
2 cups of rock salt
dash of water to mix

mix everything and place in the mould. add some more salt to get more pores, thats what i read on few of the sites.

the cement is cured the next day

took the rock in hand, and trust me its HEAVY


the final product is pretty nice, i found it pretty fragile though
according to my driver(who is best family member, he only supports me in my hobby :LOL :LOL ) this portland white cement will dissolve in the water with time and no longer safe for the fishes.....what you guys think.....





i put it in a bucket of water and will wait for few days now....


waiting for the inputs

[immokalee98]

I'm not sure about the cement you used, but there are threads on the board about making your own live rock. I would read these and see what brand they used. There has been success in doing this.

[jaival]

Originally Posted by immokalee98

I'm not sure about the cement you used, but there are threads on the board about making your own live rock. I would read these and see what brand they used. There has been success in doing this.

thanks

[TL1000RSquid]

Originally Posted by jaival

Answer :i have seen tanks with lots of clowns in single tank ?? what if my plan is to include 12-16 nos of clown and 2 yellow tank/regal tang ??


Answer :the stocking will not be heavy till first 6-8 months and corals for sure after 2-3 years.


Answer :RODI unit is very expensive, will source the mineral water from market, and for the salt mix will be using Red Sea


Answer :dry reef rocks are not available here, i have tried making DIY rock will post the pics in some time


Answer :have thought of T5 10,000 K and actinic blue.


Answer :may be cleaner shrimps and snails as clean ups, and in future might think of watchman goby, should 1-2 inch thickness should do ??


Answer :will drop the idea of anemos at the moment.

Multiple clowns in one tank is usually more the exception then the rule, your tank size may end up allowing more then two. I'd scape the tank so they don't have long line of sight. I'd add them all at the same time and get them all as small as possible 1" for percula's or oscellaris. While young they will be ok together just be prepared for the possibility as they mature and some become female you may have conflict.

Keep the skimmer on your list of things to get its not something that you must have to setup your tank but it's something you should have once you start having more then a few fish.

Not sure what to suggest about the RODI due to your location, here in the US its possible to get a decent RODI system for about $120 USD, I know a couple people using $70 ebay ones getting 0 TDS water out of it, I imagine US to India shipping might be ridiculously priced. Its something I would suggest to continue to look into in the long run buying bottled water add's up and unless its actual bottled RODI the water may still contain phosphates and what not causing continual algae battles.

I've never made my own but threads are on this forum about it, its a much better idea then using fake or non reef rocks.

T5's would be great, I'm using T5HO 12000k and actinic on 2 of my reef tanks.

1-2" is good, you don't want to much sand unless your going for a deep sand bed setup.

[jaival]

Originally Posted by TL1000RSquid

Multiple clowns in one tank is usually more the exception then the rule, your tank size may end up allowing more then two. I'd scape the tank so they don't have long line of sight. I'd add them all at the same time and get them all as small as possible 1" for percula's or oscellaris. While young they will be ok together just be prepared for the possibility as they mature and some become female you may have conflict.

Keep the skimmer on your list of things to get its not something that you must have to setup your tank but it's something you should have once you start having more then a few fish.

Not sure what to suggest about the RODI due to your location, here in the US its possible to get a decent RODI system for about $120 USD, I know a couple people using $70 ebay ones getting 0 TDS water out of it, I imagine US to India shipping might be ridiculously priced. Its something I would suggest to continue to look into in the long run buying bottled water add's up and unless its actual bottled RODI the water may still contain phosphates and what not causing continual algae battles.

I've never made my own but threads are on this forum about it, its a much better idea then using fake or non reef rocks.

T5's would be great, I'm using T5HO 12000k and actinic on 2 of my reef tanks.

1-2" is good, you don't want to much sand unless your going for a deep sand bed setup.

yes bro, will keep in mind, another question popped up, can i house 2 percula, 2 false percula, 1 tomato clown, 1 black clown (means different clowns) and they can live peacefully ??

skimmers will be the first thing in my list once the tank is set

i will ask people around here to get me RODI, but i am sure it will not be less than 250$ (if i am not wrong)

i am looking around the forum for the rock, but not getting the right click, lets search more i am sure will get some good info

i have some extra LEDs from my planted and as this is only fish tank i will use LEDs and actinic both and if needed T5's

i like thin layers, so ll not go for deep sand

thanks appreciate it

[TL1000RSquid]

Percula, False Perc, and Ocellaris are all compatible species I have a perc and ocel paired up in one of my tanks. In most tanks you see where people manage to keep more then just a pair together its these species. I would not try to mix maroon's or tomato's with any clowns but another of same species or you'll end up with the smaller species dead. Most of the black clowns are a percula or ocellaris morph. Check out the clownfish and anemone forum on this board you should find plenty of info and maybe more tips on trying to keep more then 1 pair in a tank.

[jaival]

Originally Posted by TL1000RSquid

Percula, False Perc, and Ocellaris are all compatible species I have a perc and ocel paired up in one of my tanks. In most tanks you see where people manage to keep more then just a pair together its these species. I would not try to mix maroon's or tomato's with any clowns but another of same species or you'll end up with the smaller species dead. Most of the black clowns are a percula or ocellaris morph. Check out the clownfish and anemone forum on this board you should find plenty of info and maybe more tips on trying to keep more then 1 pair in a tank.

ohkie thank you very much

[glennvandyke]

1 pair max, i tryd and didnt work out before. but some ppl have good luck.

[jaival]

Originally Posted by glennvandyke

1 pair max, i tryd and didnt work out before. but some ppl have good luck.

what could be their success ?? more rock work and hiding place ??

[glennvandyke]

Clownns will change sex, 1 male and 1 female, if you put 2 pairs inn there will be just a lot of fighting. And well.. It will lead to the strongest will servive.

[jaival]

ohkieeee

[glennvandyke]

But if you get them as juvies you will have a better chance at keeping them alive.

[jaival]

here generally we dont get the medium or full sized clowns, most of them are just inch or inch n half so these are perfect for this tank....

[jaival]

hello experts,

i am back again with a new problem, a sump problem

so, the tank i am getting is of my friend because he is discontinuing hobby and have huge tank, the tank which he has is 72X27X24 and its extra clear glass (all 5 sides ) and tuffened, so here comes the problem

tuffened glass cannot be drilled other wise it will go into bits and pieces, so how can i design the sump to get water out of the tank to sump and back to tank from sump. from tank to sump is not a big deal will use submersible pump of big capacity

but help me how can i get water to the sump from the main tank. how to design overflow ??

[TL1000RSquid]

You'll need to purchase or build a Hang on back overflow box, such as this http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...8&pcatid=18358

[nbgen12]

Originally Posted by TL1000RSquid

You'll need to purchase or build a Hang on back overflow box, such as this http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...8&pcatid=18358

+1 on the hob overflow box. Works great....you will only need it to get water to the sump and a return pump to return the sump water to the display tank.

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