New to, well... everything

Kennyleary93 · 07/07/2013, 03:17 PM

Hey everyone I am ken and will be 20 in august. I am trying to start my first SW 30 gallon tank and have little to no experience. I only have the basics; filter, light, oolite aragonite sand, instant ocean salt, and hydrometer. I understand i need to have the tank running for a couple weeks to complete the cycling process. I would love to have a tank with some coral and fish it but from my understanding coral might be a little over my head as of now.

I do have some questions though. Do I need to get live rock? Is there anything else I TRULY need. What do you recommend? Do I need a powerhead? Please feel free to give me any information at all, it will be truly appreciate! Thanks!

bnumair · 07/07/2013, 03:23 PM

Hello Ken and welcome to RC and hobby.
a basic filter and light will do for now but wont be efficient for a sps coral tank. u will get away with soft corals and fish.
Live rock is a must in a small system and get at least 1.5lbs per gal if u can fit it in there.
also invest in a refractometer than a hydrometer.
power head will help with flow.
read through the stickys on the front page and it will help u start a healthy system.

CKI · 07/07/2013, 03:25 PM

Yes you should get some live rock, however you can go to reefrocks.net and get those rocks and save a bit of money! Then just seed it with a few pounds of live rock and your in business..as far as a power head, yes you want to have one to create a current in your tank. Good luck on your build, feel free to post ANYTHING no matter how stupid you think your ? might be ... you will get alot of really good answers! Oh and welcome to Reef Central!!!!

Kennyleary93 · 07/07/2013, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bnumair

Hello Ken and welcome to RC and hobby.
a basic filter and light will do for now but wont be efficient for a sps coral tank. u will get away with soft corals and fish.
Live rock is a must in a small system and get at least 1.5lbs per gal if u can fit it in there.
also invest in a refractometer than a hydrometer.
power head will help with flow.
read through the stickys on the front page and it will help u start a healthy system.

Alright, thank you!

Quote:

Originally Posted by CKI

Yes you should get some live rock, however you can go to reefrocks.net and get those rocks and save a bit of money! Then just seed it with a few pounds of live rock and your in business..as far as a power head, yes you want to have one to create a current in your tank. Good luck on your build, feel free to post ANYTHING no matter how stupid you think your ? might be ... you will get alot of really good answers! Oh and welcome to Reef Central!!!!

Thanks for the suggestions. Looks like I am going to have to get a power head in the near future!

Kennyleary93 · 07/07/2013, 03:55 PM

Is it necessary to have a sump tank and protein skimmer?

FTDelta · 07/07/2013, 04:11 PM

A skimmer is a must have. A sump is optional. A HOB is always never used in SW aquaria set-ups. To help you get started, read, read, read and research EVERYTHING about saltwater aquaria keeping. A good start is to read this book: The Conscientious Marine Aquarist.

A complete cycle will last anywheres from 8 - 12 weeks not 2 weeks as you mentioned. Be sure to follow all quarantine protocal with all fish and livestock. QT last 8 - 12 weeks as well. A QT tank is really simple to put together. All you need is a bare bones 10 gallon tank set-up with lights, heater, HOB filter and a PVC pipe for fish to hide in. No substrate needed for a QT tank.

CKI · 07/07/2013, 04:16 PM

I wouldnt say a skimmer is a absolute MUST ... i do know of 2 people running 75gal+ reef tanks and never have used a skimmer ...however, they do alot more work to their tank

mattkroeker · 07/07/2013, 04:35 PM

edited

BlindZide · 07/07/2013, 04:51 PM

@matt You might want to post your own thread on this subject so it will get a little more responses.

@OP First thing is first. Figure out what you want to keep. Then build off of that. Corals aren't over you head if you try and put your mind to it. Being a 30g, you are going to have to work to keep those parameters where they need to be. 30g tanks are more prone to parameter spikes and can cause stress on your inhabitants.

Once you know what you want to keep and start building it, it will all fall into place to allow you to be able to keep corals. I was hesitant like you when I started my 30g in Feb and I ended up buying corals. Haven't lost one yet.

I recently moved everything to a 75g tank. Noticed my Duncan is growing 3 new heads. Thats right, 3!!! My Hydnophora is massive and my frogspawn is a demon in size. All of my corals are thriving. And to think I was scared like you at the start. Don't be afraid. You got this and can handle anything if you put your mind to it.

Kennyleary93 · 07/07/2013, 05:13 PM

Thanks for everyone's responses! When I said a couple weeks, I did not use the correct word. I know its more than 2 weeks and thought it was more of 4-8 weeks. Eventually I would like to upgrade tanks and most of you need to realize I am only 19 making minimum wage doing construction work. I don't make buku bucks and do have bills. Right now since I am still putting everthing together, I am just buying what I can and plan on having everything I need before putting any coral or fish into the tank. I do have an extra 10 gallon tank I can use as a QT tank.

Im glad to know a skimmer isnt absolutely necessary.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlindZide

And to think I was scared like you at the start. Don't be afraid. You got this and can handle anything if you put your mind to it.

Im not "scared" I just am unsure of what I need. I am fully confident I can do this with the proper knowledge and equipment. That is why I am asking everything before even putting water in my tank =). But it sure is good to know you had a similar experience and everything is going well! Thank you.

BlindZide · 07/07/2013, 05:47 PM

Well I used that word loosely sorry. I meant more along the lines of unsure if you could accomplish that when you said corals were over your head. Sorry to offend if I did, not intentional.

robotman · 07/07/2013, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kennyleary93

Thanks for everyone's responses! When I said a couple weeks, I did not use the correct word. I know its more than 2 weeks and thought it was more of 4-8 weeks. Eventually I would like to upgrade tanks and most of you need to realize I am only 19 making minimum wage doing construction work. I don't make buku bucks and do have bills. Right now since I am still putting everthing together, I am just buying what I can and plan on having everything I need before putting any coral or fish into the tank. I do have an extra 10 gallon tank I can use as a QT tank.

Im glad to know a skimmer isnt absolutely necessary.

Im not "scared" I just am unsure of what I need. I am fully confident I can do this with the proper knowledge and equipment. That is why I am asking everything before even putting water in my tank =). But it sure is good to know you had a similar experience and everything is going well! Thank you.

my tank cycled in 2 days, no spikes, all live rock from my lfs, 30lbs in a 55g to start, with about 30 lbs of live sand, total of 80lb roughly now of live rock all from lfs. I am at 7 weeks 4 days and my list is at

Maroon Clown
Ocelaris Clown
Pink Spotted goby
Hi Fin Goby
Blue hippo Tang
2 Banggai Cardinal
Fire Shrimp
peppermint Shrimp
2 Cleaner Shrimp
Yellow Pistol Shrimp
Candy Pistol Shrimp
2 serpent starfish

bunch of turbo snails
Hermit crabs
4x Emerald Crabs

1 Maroon Clown in the fuge

Softie
Zoa
2 brain corals
Frogspawn
Hammer Coral

Salinity 1.023 <--i know its low but topping off with sw every day to build

Just do everything right, and patience, i sped through the process and thankfully i haven't hit any hard bumps besides a lot of cyano in my fuge

Kennyleary93 · 07/07/2013, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlindZide

Well I used that word loosely sorry. I meant more along the lines of unsure if you could accomplish that when you said corals were over your head. Sorry to offend if I did, not intentional.

Oh no not at all! Im not offended I just don't want to come across as scared! I just don't think I have the proper knowledge to go into anything too advanced. No worries at all, honestly.

Kennyleary93 · 07/07/2013, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robotman

my tank cycled in 2 days, no spikes, all live rock from my lfs, 30lbs in a 55g to start, with about 30 lbs of live sand, total of 80lb roughly now of live rock all from lfs. I am at 7 weeks 4 days and my list is at

Just do everything right, and patience, i sped through the process and thankfully i haven't hit any hard bumps besides a lot of cyano in my fuge

Well that is really good to know! But I don't have any good bacteria what so ever. Im looking for people parting with live rock in my area right now, so as soon as that happens my cycling will go faster.

Correct me if I'm wrong but from what I read today crabs other than hermit crabs and pistol shrimp can be bad for the fish. The crabs can attack your fish and coral. The pistol shrimp can also harm your fish.

CKI · 07/07/2013, 10:02 PM

goodness, wish ya were in my area ... i've got a friend selling 110lbs of LR cycled in her tank for 7 years for 1.50 per LB!

Kennyleary93 · 07/07/2013, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CKI

goodness, wish ya were in my area ... i've got a friend selling 110lbs of LR cycled in her tank for 7 years for 1.50 per LB!

I wish I was in your area too!

worm5406 · 07/07/2013, 10:52 PM

I had a 120 for a while with two canister filters... When I got my Skimmer... 90% of my problems dissapeared... When I upgraded to my 180 with 40g sump... well..... All the problems I had when I first started my 120.. GONE... now I have other ones:

What do I add next?
Why will this GHA not dissapear?

HAHAHA... READ.. there are a lot of threads on here... Just take your time, it will only take you a little bit to read them all (from just this year)....

The biggest thing is... ASK QUESTIONS... believe me. Much rather hear the story of "I have been there and...." than... have everything turn to mush overnight.

Welcome to ReefCentral!

FTDelta · 07/08/2013, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robotman

my tank cycled in 2 days, no spikes, all live rock from my lfs, 30lbs in a 55g to start, with about 30 lbs of live sand, total of 80lb roughly now of live rock all from lfs. I am at 7 weeks 4 days and my list is at

Maroon Clown
Ocelaris Clown
Pink Spotted goby
Hi Fin Goby
Blue hippo Tang
2 Banggai Cardinal
Fire Shrimp
peppermint Shrimp
2 Cleaner Shrimp
Yellow Pistol Shrimp
Candy Pistol Shrimp
2 serpent starfish

bunch of turbo snails
Hermit crabs
4x Emerald Crabs

1 Maroon Clown in the fuge

Softie
Zoa
2 brain corals
Frogspawn
Hammer Coral

Salinity 1.023 <--i know its low but topping off with sw every day to build

Just do everything right, and patience, i sped through the process and thankfully i haven't hit any hard bumps besides a lot of cyano in my fuge

Not advised to mix clownfish species in same tank. Maroon clownfish are the largest and most aggressive of all clownfish species - yes he will eventually kill your Occelleris Clownfish.

Tang is not recommended in 55 gallon tank. They do best in tanks of 150 gallons or more due to their swimming nature.

You have quite a lot of shrimp species and Emerald crabs on your want list. Some are predatory than others. Check for compatibility before purchasing them.

And one last thing: SLOW DOWN with choosing your fish choices. Ask about compatibility issues between livestock. I
m seeing too many compatibility issues on your list.

robotman · 07/08/2013, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kennyleary93

Well that is really good to know! But I don't have any good bacteria what so ever. Im looking for people parting with live rock in my area right now, so as soon as that happens my cycling will go faster.

Correct me if I'm wrong but from what I read today crabs other than hermit crabs and pistol shrimp can be bad for the fish. The crabs can attack your fish and coral. The pistol shrimp can also harm your fish.

The emerald crabs keep to themselves from the tank from what ive seen, they havent bothered any of my corals, and the pistol shrimp stay in their holes just working 24/7 on them, they hide as soon as they see a fish come by, the gobies warn them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FTDelta

Not advised to mix clownfish species in same tank. Maroon clownfish are the largest and most aggressive of all clownfish species - yes he will eventually kill your Occelleris Clownfish.

Tang is not recommended in 55 gallon tank. They do best in tanks of 150 gallons or more due to their swimming nature.

You have quite a lot of shrimp species and Emerald crabs on your want list. Some are predatory than others. Check for compatibility before purchasing them.

And one last thing: SLOW DOWN with choosing your fish choices. Ask about compatibility issues between livestock. I
m seeing too many compatibility issues on your list.

the maroon actually attacked the other maroon he paired with and i put that one in the fuge, the other two clowns are inseparable.

the tang im not keeping in the tank till hes full grown, only for a while and my lfs said i could trade him back in for store credit.

not a want list, this is everything i have in the tank, the pistol goby pair for about 1 month now, they dont bother anyone, and i dont plan on adding anything more, just corals now.

FTDelta · 07/08/2013, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robotman

the maroon actually attacked the other maroon he paired with and i put that one in the fuge, the other two clowns are inseparable.

Why would you separate them when all they're doing is what they naturally do in the wild - one was turning into a female and becoming the dominant clownfish so they can become a pair. If you still have the Maroon with the Occ clowns, that Maroon will eventually kill off your other two clownfish.

Again - mixing of clownfish species in same tank is not advised.

Spyderturbo007 · 07/09/2013, 06:07 AM

You'll need to be careful if you put the two Maroon clowns back together based on the time they have been separated. They start to become female within 9 days of being separated. If you put two female clowns together, ultimately, you will only have one.

I'm also going to jump on the wagon of not mixing two species of clowns in such a small tank. It's not a question of it, but when, your Maroon will kill your other two clowns.

BlindZide · 07/09/2013, 06:26 AM

I keep picturing Clowns/Damsels in gladiator gear fighting to the death in an arena in ancient Rome! Pretty funny vision if you ask me, but in reality its cruel.

Kennyleary93 · 07/09/2013, 05:54 PM

I recently just got a stand for my tank for like $60. On my search for live rock on craigslist, I stumbled across a 55 gallon tank and stand for $50 that was posted today. ARGGG Just a tad bit frustrated. Oh well...

Kennyleary93 · 07/09/2013, 06:00 PM

Also, where do you guys recommend getting live rock from, and are there any cheap power heads online I can get for my tank. Not top of the line, but will get the job done.

fishmonkey · 07/09/2013, 06:44 PM

http://www.marinedepot.com/Hydor_Kor...FIPHFF-vi.html
http://www.marinedepot.com/Marinelan...FIPHFF-vi.html
If you can, get the first one! If not, then the second one is more budget-friendly.

07/07/2013, 03:17 PM	#1
Kennyleary93 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne, FL Posts: 145	New to, well... everything Hey everyone I am ken and will be 20 in august. I am trying to start my first SW 30 gallon tank and have little to no experience. I only have the basics; filter, light, oolite aragonite sand, instant ocean salt, and hydrometer. I understand i need to have the tank running for a couple weeks to complete the cycling process. I would love to have a tank with some coral and fish it but from my understanding coral might be a little over my head as of now. I do have some questions though. Do I need to get live rock? Is there anything else I TRULY need. What do you recommend? Do I need a powerhead? Please feel free to give me any information at all, it will be truly appreciate! Thanks!

07/07/2013, 03:23 PM	#2
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	Hello Ken and welcome to RC and hobby. a basic filter and light will do for now but wont be efficient for a sps coral tank. u will get away with soft corals and fish. Live rock is a must in a small system and get at least 1.5lbs per gal if u can fit it in there. also invest in a refractometer than a hydrometer. power head will help with flow. read through the stickys on the front page and it will help u start a healthy system. __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

07/07/2013, 03:25 PM	#3
CKI Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Delaware Posts: 281	Yes you should get some live rock, however you can go to reefrocks.net and get those rocks and save a bit of money! Then just seed it with a few pounds of live rock and your in business..as far as a power head, yes you want to have one to create a current in your tank. Good luck on your build, feel free to post ANYTHING no matter how stupid you think your ? might be ... you will get alot of really good answers! Oh and welcome to Reef Central!!!! __________________ _____________________________ 75Gal - 30 gal sump - Coralife T5's - Eshopps overflow - PSK-150-Triton Deep Blue

07/07/2013, 04:16 PM	#7
CKI Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Delaware Posts: 281	I wouldnt say a skimmer is a absolute MUST ... i do know of 2 people running 75gal+ reef tanks and never have used a skimmer ...however, they do alot more work to their tank __________________ _____________________________ 75Gal - 30 gal sump - Coralife T5's - Eshopps overflow - PSK-150-Triton Deep Blue

07/07/2013, 04:35 PM	#8
mattkroeker Moved On Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 72	edited Last edited by mattkroeker; 07/07/2013 at 04:57 PM.

07/07/2013, 03:55 PM	#5
Kennyleary93 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne, FL Posts: 145	Is it necessary to have a sump tank and protein skimmer?

07/07/2013, 04:11 PM	#6
FTDelta Moved On Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Central NY Posts: 1,124	A skimmer is a must have. A sump is optional. A HOB is always never used in SW aquaria set-ups. To help you get started, read, read, read and research EVERYTHING about saltwater aquaria keeping. A good start is to read this book: The Conscientious Marine Aquarist. A complete cycle will last anywheres from 8 - 12 weeks not 2 weeks as you mentioned. Be sure to follow all quarantine protocal with all fish and livestock. QT last 8 - 12 weeks as well. A QT tank is really simple to put together. All you need is a bare bones 10 gallon tank set-up with lights, heater, HOB filter and a PVC pipe for fish to hide in. No substrate needed for a QT tank.

07/07/2013, 04:51 PM	#9
BlindZide Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 1,273	@matt You might want to post your own thread on this subject so it will get a little more responses. @OP First thing is first. Figure out what you want to keep. Then build off of that. Corals aren't over you head if you try and put your mind to it. Being a 30g, you are going to have to work to keep those parameters where they need to be. 30g tanks are more prone to parameter spikes and can cause stress on your inhabitants. Once you know what you want to keep and start building it, it will all fall into place to allow you to be able to keep corals. I was hesitant like you when I started my 30g in Feb and I ended up buying corals. Haven't lost one yet. I recently moved everything to a 75g tank. Noticed my Duncan is growing 3 new heads. Thats right, 3!!! My Hydnophora is massive and my frogspawn is a demon in size. All of my corals are thriving. And to think I was scared like you at the start. Don't be afraid. You got this and can handle anything if you put your mind to it. __________________ ~Trent Biocube 14 Mixed Reef 75G LPS Reef

07/07/2013, 05:47 PM	#11
BlindZide Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 1,273	Well I used that word loosely sorry. I meant more along the lines of unsure if you could accomplish that when you said corals were over your head. Sorry to offend if I did, not intentional. __________________ ~Trent Biocube 14 Mixed Reef 75G LPS Reef

07/07/2013, 10:02 PM	#15
CKI Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Delaware Posts: 281	goodness, wish ya were in my area ... i've got a friend selling 110lbs of LR cycled in her tank for 7 years for 1.50 per LB! __________________ _____________________________ 75Gal - 30 gal sump - Coralife T5's - Eshopps overflow - PSK-150-Triton Deep Blue

07/07/2013, 10:52 PM	#17
worm5406 Not afriad to admit wrong Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: South of WashDC in Maryland Posts: 7,774	I had a 120 for a while with two canister filters... When I got my Skimmer... 90% of my problems dissapeared... When I upgraded to my 180 with 40g sump... well..... All the problems I had when I first started my 120.. GONE... now I have other ones: What do I add next? Why will this GHA not dissapear? HAHAHA... READ.. there are a lot of threads on here... Just take your time, it will only take you a little bit to read them all (from just this year).... The biggest thing is... ASK QUESTIONS... believe me. Much rather hear the story of "I have been there and...." than... have everything turn to mush overnight. Welcome to ReefCentral! __________________ Stock:LPS/SPS\|1 hippo\|4 OC Clown\|4 Pepp shrimp\|2 Brittle Star\|3000+ Copepods\|10+ MiniBrittle\|8+ Bristle Worm\|2 Anemone\|100+ mini-feather\|4 boys 14,21,22,22 Current Tank Info: Tank:300g Mixed Reef 300+lb LR\|4" LS\|5x MP40W\|75g fuge\|5x RadionPRO\|RO DB250 skimmer\|Apex

07/09/2013, 06:07 AM	#21
Spyderturbo007 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: PA Posts: 2,564	You'll need to be careful if you put the two Maroon clowns back together based on the time they have been separated. They start to become female within 9 days of being separated. If you put two female clowns together, ultimately, you will only have one. I'm also going to jump on the wagon of not mixing two species of clowns in such a small tank. It's not a question of it, but when, your Maroon will kill your other two clowns.

07/09/2013, 06:26 AM	#22
BlindZide Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 1,273	I keep picturing Clowns/Damsels in gladiator gear fighting to the death in an arena in ancient Rome! Pretty funny vision if you ask me, but in reality its cruel. __________________ ~Trent Biocube 14 Mixed Reef 75G LPS Reef

07/09/2013, 05:54 PM	#23
Kennyleary93 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne, FL Posts: 145	I recently just got a stand for my tank for like $60. On my search for live rock on craigslist, I stumbled across a 55 gallon tank and stand for $50 that was posted today. ARGGG Just a tad bit frustrated. Oh well...

07/09/2013, 06:00 PM	#24
Kennyleary93 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne, FL Posts: 145	Also, where do you guys recommend getting live rock from, and are there any cheap power heads online I can get for my tank. Not top of the line, but will get the job done.

07/09/2013, 06:44 PM	#25
fishmonkey Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: phoenix, Arizona Posts: 97	http://www.marinedepot.com/Hydor_Kor...FIPHFF-vi.html http://www.marinedepot.com/Marinelan...FIPHFF-vi.html If you can, get the first one! If not, then the second one is more budget-friendly.