Want to turn eclipse 12 into FO tank, need help, noob at SW

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skiptomyzoo

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Aug 13, 2007
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San Diego, CA
Well, I have a 12 gallon eclipse sitting here, empty, and I really want to try my hand at SW, in particular something like one or a pair of the smaller clown fish (esp. now considering my where I am living this year for college, doesn't allow large tanks unlike last year). I was thinking of some live rock, but however I am guessing my lights aren't in the right spectrum, besides the fact that it would be more of a pain in the @ss to break down to transport at the end of the year...but I was wondering what other peoples opinions are

My question is should I go with this tank, or is this
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3730+10677&pcatid=10677 really that much better of a setup, or for that matter is there an even better one I could buy for a similar price..
Another thing to keep in mind is that the filter died on the eclipse, so what should I get to replace it, that would work good for SW.
Also, what other things would I need besides a test kit and should I go with a hygrometer or refractometer? and are skimmers, R.O. units, and chillers needed for this kind of setup?
Remember, I am a total noob at this:nilly:, so please don't jump the gun on me, as I am willing to do reading, and I allready read the stickies. However if you know of any good links, feel free to post them as well.
Finally, I know this sounds wrong, but I am trying to keep costs low, so anything that isn't needed, please don't put on the list.
Thanks in advance,
Unannon
 
How's it going officer?
I see someone has took some interest in SW. I am too actually! Slowly but surely..
I have no answers to your questions but I'll be learning along the way.

Man, I gotta stop running into you...
Good luck.
 
answer pending..

i have to visit the folk right now but i'll get back to you
 
These are all really easy answers... But ones which sometimes take quite a bit of typing to explain sufficiently. Here is a link of a post I made for another in your situation. After reading, if you have more questions (and I am sure you will) ask away! :)

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=144251
 
Lemonhead
-its going good. I am looking to downsize right now though, and most likely joining the darkside (SW). Haha keep running into me if you want, and sorry if I gave you a tough time at first. When I get my tank going I'll try to help you too bro.

BIGgourami
-still looking forward to your response, as I have seen your SW tank on here before and it is nice.... hopefully with multiple people helping me, I will get to understand this. In fact, I just came across your nano tank thread right now, so I am reading it.


water_baby83
- I was really hoping you would see this thread, glad you did, as you really seem to know your stuff. Allready did the reading, thanks it was a big help, but like you said, I will have questions. However, I just got off the phone and arranged with one of my friend's friends to go see his SW tank tomorrow or shortly thereafter (he doesn't know when he has work yet) and hopefully he knocks out most my questions, I think it will be a huge help just seeing one in operation. Thanks so much for the reply, and I do have quite a few questions, but like I said I will wait until tomorrow, and then see how many I still have after.

Once again, thanks to all who replied so far.
 
unannon;2071840; said:
I was thinking of some live rock, but however I am guessing my lights aren't in the right spectrum,
spetrum is unimportant for LR.. unless you wanted corals also
besides the fact that it would be more of a pain in the @ss to break down to transport at the end of the year
a little 12 gallon shouldn't be much of a mess unless you're like more than 4 hours away or something..
My question is should I go with this tank, or is this
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3730+10677&pcatid=10677 really that much better of a setup,
I'D rather have the nano.. the eclips is nice as the tank is longer and have more footprint bu the filter is better as are the lights IMO.. see below
Another thing to keep in mind is that the filter died on the eclipse, so what should I get to replace it, that would work good for SW.
if the filter died i would just get a 10-20 gallon regular tank, unless you can remove the filter and add another one the eclipse isn't of much use anymore.. you could probably run it on jut LR and good flow.. but I'D rather not do that on so small a tank
Also, what other things would I need besides a test kit and should I go with a hygrometer or refractometer? and are skimmers, R.O. units, and chillers needed for this kind of setup?
NEED? no
unless the water gets over like 82-84 no need for a chiller
unless you can't get distilled or drinking water (or RO from a store nearby) no need for an RO unit, especially not for a 12 gallon FO/FOLWR (fish only, with live rock)
and unless you can find a small skimmer (tunze nano, nanocube, etc) it's not needed with regular water changes
Remember, I am a total noob at this:nilly:, so please don't jump the gun on me, as I am willing to do reading, and I allready read the stickies. However if you know of any good links, feel free to post them as well.
Finally, I know this sounds wrong, but I am trying to keep costs low, so anything that isn't needed, please don't put on the list.
Thanks in advance,
Unannon
Click to expand...

red
 
No worries, it was all out of humor. Keep me/us posted on your progress and you know we all love pictures.. So no more veil tail O's?
 
BIGgourami;2075711; said:
red
Click to expand...
Thanks, doesn't sound nearly as expensive as I thought.
Thing with the filter is, I think I could go with either a HOB or one that hangs inside (like the whisper in-tank ones, in fact I have at least 4 of those just laying around)...and I am pretty sure I can cut a section out of the hood for to be placed...i just have to get it out of the attic tomorrow to check. But is this ok for SW? or what would you recommend?

As far as lighting, your right, it isn't the best, but I've seen some DIY threads for eclipse 12s online elsewhere, that don't look to hard to imitate.

BIGgourami, I am still considering the nano, but I want to see if this is possible first?

and Lemonhead, sadly no more veils...I am going back to college and can't bring large tanks unlike last year, so really the only thing I can be running is smaller ones...my larger ones will still be running and at home, but I don't want to be adding more fish to them at the moment.
 
sure it's possible.. a 12 gallon isn't the best size tank for a begginer but you seem to have a good head on your shoulders.. i see no obvious reason this should fail other than you can't keep fish at the dorm..

as for the filter.. I'D run the HOB but i've never had a whisper in a SW tank before so i can't speak directly against them...

PS congrats on 1K posts
 
BIGgourami;2077062; said:
sure it's possible.. a 12 gallon isn't the best size tank for a begginer but you seem to have a good head on your shoulders.. i see no obvious reason this should fail other than you can't keep fish at the dorm..

as for the filter.. I'D run the HOB but i've never had a whisper in a SW tank before so i can't speak directly against them...

PS congrats on 1K posts
Click to expand...
Allright, thanks then, and thanks for the compliment, I do what I can to look educated :) As far as the 12 not being the best, would is it easier to start smaller or larger? as the nano 6's are really tempting me.
If I keep the 12, I think I'll look at the AC's for an appropriate sized HOB, as I have a 110 on my ninety (along w/an fx5) and I really like them, esp. bc they have a lot of room for media as well, as far as media in it though, what would you recommend? And with live sand, I was looking at the lfs, and all thier bags were dry, but I remember seeing them sealed w/water in them at petsmart before, so that confuses me... Also, would you recommend any powerheads?
I might get a skimmer too, bc the lfs has up to 30 gallon ones cheap for like 25 bucks.
 
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