26 Gallon Bow - Convert to SW - Virgin

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Street Fish

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Mar 5, 2009
239
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New York, NY
Hello Everyone,

I wanted to ask some general questions regarding a 26 gallon bow front SW tank.

My intention: Just SW Fish, clowns or dwarf lion?

Current Equipment:

1) 26 Gallon Tank
2) Hood and Stock Light Strip
3) 50 gallon Aqua Clear
4) 150W Heater


What I THINK I need:

1) Better filter? I heard a Fluval? What is this and what kind would I need?

2) Protein Skimmer? Any suggestions on a fair priced model? - What does this exactly do?

3) Live rock and Live Sand - got this taken care of, 30lbs and 10lbs respectively

4) Power Head - Any ideas or recommendations?

5) Marine Salt

As this tank is going to be strictly Live Rock and SW Fish, will my current lighting suffice? The current lighting is fluorescent standard bulb, that comes with the tank kit

How do I know if I need a chiller or heater? My apt reamins at 70 normally, this is all dependent on this fish correct?

Thank you all, Looking forward to any suggestions
 
Since it's a FOWLR you can get by with the stock lights
And if you got a skimmer the filter would be fine as well (at least if you went with the dwarf lion)

Water stays cooler than the surrounding air, and effect of evaporation. If the apartment is 70 and you're not going to have any crazy lighting system then you're going to need a heater
150W is perfect for this size tank
 
i use either Kent or Instant ocean. Depends on what tank its going in
kent-reef
IO-fowlr

mostly any brand is good though because its a fowlr, less demand for certain chemicals.

a coralife 65 would be fine on that tank for a fair priced. About 120 bucks depending on location. Other options would be a bakpak, but i think they are bit longer, so may not sit on the back of your tank, if you have the centerbrace. AuqaC remora is another really good HOB skimmer.

I would keep the filter you have, and forget the fluval. Canisters tend to build nitrates over time if there not cleaned often enough, which will cause unsightly algae.

i would run at least 25lbs of Live rock. You can get uncured rock or "dry" rock and seed it with a few lbs of live rock. This wont cost nearly as much, but will take longer for your tank to be truley stable. Uncured rock IMO would be perfect, as this will get your cycle started. You will need to still feed the bacteria with shrimp or liquid ammonia, but will take less. Once the rock is cured your set and ready to go, after your readings are all 0.

i like korallia powerheads as they spread the water instead of a straight stream. 2 #1's should be perfect and they are rather fair priced for the quality.
 
yes.. canisters aren't the best because they are TOO good, they trap alot of debris and clog up fast, turning them into nitrate factories..
they'd need to be serviced every week if not more, which most people who use them either don't know or dont care to do... which is why they say they are bad
 
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