Did I do my research right?

[kove32]

Alright everyone. I am thinking about getting into saltwater..

I have done some research, and to my surprise, it seems really easy: too easy. I have been keeping freshwater for 12+ years. Everything from Piranha to Guppies, to gobies, to chiclids. I've pretty much exhausted all of the tropical fish I have ever had interest in. Although I have always been inspired by the beauty of saltwater.

So lets see if I am missing anything!

1) I am looking to do a fish only tank. I think for now, until I get experience, this is the best option. I was looking to do a 29 gallon. I purchased a C-360 Marineland Filter that is rated at 100 gallons. I figure that should be more than adequate filtration. I understand lighting is important for reef tanks, but for fish, I heard that it is not as important. Regardless, I am planning on getting a T5 light strip.
2) I am not too sure what the deal is with sand. Everywhere I looked, it didn't seem to say whether it was needed or not. Hopefully I can get some insight on that.
3) I am familiar with testing PH levels, etc. I think that is pretty basic. Anything differ with salt water?
4) Lastly, would I be alright with two clownfish. I have always admired their beauty and would love to have a few of them in my tank. Would more be possible? Also, do they need a reef to survive?


Thanks for all your help everyone! I truly appreciate it!

 

[Itsadeepbluesea]

I would have to agree with you that saltwater is easy....that being said it is different than freshwater. I don't find it to more difficult myself just a different experience. The lights seem good are you getting a strip with 2 bulbs or 4? As far as the filtration between the filter and power heads I would suggest about 10x turnover per hour. I personally would suggest sand as well as using live rock for your biological filtration. As far as test kits go I would purchase a saltwater kit as there are many more areas you need to test than just pH. You'll need to test specific gravity, dKH, calcium levels, pH, nitrates, nitrites, ammonia and I know i'm missing a few but i'll let someone else chime in on that. I would suggest a protein skimmer for your tank. As far as the clown fish, yes you could do clown fish and no they don't need a reef, many species "prefer it" as they form a symbiotic relationship with corals an anemones. Just be careful in what type of clown fish you select as many types can be aggressive towards each other and with having a 29g that leaves little space for territory. I would suggest a little more research on saltwater fish keeping, one of the better way is to just ask questions on site like this. Just make sure you get multiple answers, never take just one source as their are many ways to do stuff each not necessarily better than they other.

 

[fishy12]

Alright everyone. I am thinking about getting into saltwater..

I have done some research, and to my surprise, it seems really easy: too easy. I have been keeping freshwater for 12+ years. Everything from Piranha to Guppies, to gobies, to chiclids. I've pretty much exhausted all of the tropical fish I have ever had interest in. Although I have always been inspired by the beauty of saltwater.

So lets see if I am missing anything!

1) I am looking to do a fish only tank. I think for now, until I get experience, this is the best option. I was looking to do a 29 gallon. I purchased a C-360 Marineland Filter that is rated at 100 gallons. I figure that should be more than adequate filtration. I understand lighting is important for reef tanks, but for fish, I heard that it is not as important. Regardless, I am planning on getting a T5 light strip.

With that filter make sure you turn it off during water changes to avoid sucking sand into filter, and clean it out too so sand wont kill it. On a fish only with live rock FOWLR tank you high lighting is not need.

2) I am not too sure what the deal is with sand. Everywhere I looked, it didn't seem to say whether it was needed or not. Hopefully I can get some insight on that.
Sand makes it looks better IMO

3) I am familiar with testing PH levels, etc. I think that is pretty basic. Anything differ with salt water?

Keep salinity at1.024-1.025( I think thats right)
4) Lastly, would I be alright with two clownfish. I have always admired their beauty and would love to have a few of them in my tank. Would more be possible? Also, do they need a reef to survive?
Yes 2 clowns would be ok in the tank as long as they don't become territorial. If you decide not to go with them you can do lionfish, anglers, chromis, gobys, and some angels instead. There is a lot of fish you can do in a 30gal.


Thanks for all your help everyone! I truly appreciate it!

I believe most my information is right.

 

[inssane]

1) I am looking to do a fish only tank. I think for now, until I get experience, this is the best option. I was looking to do a 29 gallon. I purchased a C-360 Marineland Filter that is rated at 100 gallons. I figure that should be more than adequate filtration. I understand lighting is important for reef tanks, but for fish, I heard that it is not as important. Regardless, I am planning on getting a T5 light strip.

T5 is high powered. Not truly necessary with a FO tank. A 29 gallon is fine, but more challenging to maintain water quality. I would suggest a 55 gallon as a FO tank will be easier to maintain in regards to water and waste. With a T5 strip, you are also looking at a higher incidence of various algae growth. Personally I would stick with a regular fluorescent strip, maybe something with a higher K for a brighter look.

2) I am not too sure what the deal is with sand. Everywhere I looked, it didn't seem to say whether it was needed or not. Hopefully I can get some insight on that.

Sand and crushed coral are both good choices. I believe that crushed coral has properties that are better for a FO tank, but I don't know for sure, I am trying to recall from years ago. Just stay away from LIVE sand, as that is a different ball game.

3) I am familiar with testing PH levels, etc. I think that is pretty basic. Anything differ with salt water?

There are many other tests that need to be done and additives to add to the tank, such as iodine, when you get into inverts and reef materials. For a FO tank, the basic Ammonia, Ph, Nitrate, Nitrite is fine. Don't forget specific gravity (salt content in water) as this will be of utmost importance when changing water.

4) Lastly, would I be alright with two clownfish. I have always admired their beauty and would love to have a few of them in my tank. Would more be possible? Also, do they need a reef to survive?

Of course Clowns love Anemones as they are symbiotic, but I had an Anemone die and killed everything in my entire tank from toxins, so I am not doing that again for a while. The will be fine in a FO tank. I would also suggest Blennies as they literally sit on the decorations and make homes in small holes and such. In my experience, they are very fun, goofy, and friendly fish. A Midas Blenny is what I had and they are a nice yellow.

Outside of you questions, I would suggest:
Bigger tank = easier to maintain water quality.
Live Rock = Fish Only With Live Rock (FOWLR) -- the live rock acts as a biological filter. No joke I had a FO 45g tank that was ridiculous to keep the water stable, but a 20gal basic nano reef that had perfect water for 2 years. I am not kidding when I say that I NEVER changed the water in two years. I tested every month and even down to the Ph, everything was spot on, so really I didn't want to funk anything up. Why fix when it's not broken.

Do some research on the live rock. May not be for you, and there are other little nuances that need to be taken in to account, but really I had the best experience. Nice thing about LR is that if you DO decide down the road to Reef it up, you already have the base. Just change the lighting and water components at the very basic level.

Lastly, get used to crusty tank tops and backs as the salt dries as water evaporates.
Just shave some off of the tank and you have sea salt for your food

Good Luck and let us know how you proceed.
Nick

PS - start saving money as marine livestock ain't always cheap.

 

[Heathd]

1) I am looking to do a fish only tank. I think for now, until I get experience, this is the best option. I was looking to do a 29 gallon. I purchased a C-360 Marineland Filter that is rated at 100 gallons. I figure that should be more than adequate filtration. I understand lighting is important for reef tanks, but for fish, I heard that it is not as important. Regardless, I am planning on getting a T5 light strip.
Cannister filters work for saltwater, but I dont like them. They need to be cleaned very often to keep them from becoming a nitrate bomb, which is something most people over look (or simply dont do). So make sure to keep any filterfloss or sponge media clean.
The t-5 light setup isnt neccesary for FO, but will be nice if you plan to do corals later down the road.

2) I am not too sure what the deal is with sand. Everywhere I looked, it didn't seem to say whether it was needed or not. Hopefully I can get some insight on that.
Sand is better then crushed coral. And while you can go bare bottom, sand is a huge surface area for benificial bacteria to colonize. I would do sand, approx 3/4 inch to 1 inch deep sand bed, and stay away from the suger grain sand (its hell when it gets kicked up). Also, it needs to be aragonite, not pool filter sand or any other type of substitue.

3) I am familiar with testing PH levels, etc. I think that is pretty basic. Anything differ with salt water?
Other then making sure that your test kit is made for salt, no. If you plan on keeping inverts you will want to also check your mag, alk, and calc. Salinity isnt as important in a FO as it is in a reef (imo). Just keep it stable. If it were me, I would shoot for a salinity of 1.023.

4) Lastly, would I be alright with two clownfish. I have always admired their beauty and would love to have a few of them in my tank. Would more be possible? Also, do they need a reef to survive?
They dont need a reef or an anemone to survive, and until the tank is mature and stable, I dont reccomend you trying your hand at an anemone. Two clownfish would work, and any more then that and you will have territory issues. I would stay away from maroons for now, as they are probably the most difficult to keep, just because of their nasty temper/mood.

I would also look into getting a skimmer, and some powerheads.

 

[inssane]

Fishy12 - I would like to correct some of your info based on my experience.
-Salinity differs depending on fish and inverts. 1.021 is your idea across the board. Leeway from 1.018 to 1.023 is acceptable and ideal at times based on your livestock.
-Clowns are "Damsel fish" so by nature, can be territorial. They vary in temperment based on species. Common Ocellaris clowns are not too bad, but can still be territorial. Maroon clowns are devils and can get very big. Maroons are beautiful, but need alot of space.
-NO LIONFISH in a 30 gallon tank. Lionfish also have poison in the rays of their fins, so it's not for everyone, and not for a beginner IMO. DWARF Angels should be ok, just one though (in a 30gal). Don't be fooled in the fish store by the pretty blue and white swirled angels that look small, as they typically turn into big and demanding fish (demanding of space and finicky with food). I know that you are leaning away from a reef setup, but fish like triggers and parrotfish for example, have "beaks" as they feed on coral. Butterfly fish are nice too, but need bigger tanks and can be the most difficult to feed.

I would research the fish you would like in accordance to the size of the tank and environment. Or base your tank and environment off of the fish you like (always an expensive choice, lol)

Here is what I mean by the juvenile angels versus adults (dwarf angels will not grow like this, but most others will). This is an Emporer Angel - about 2-5" as juvies and 12"+ as adults. So, just do your livestock research and enjoy.

 

[Heathd]

Fishy12 - I would like to correct some of your info based on my experience.
-Salinity differs depending on fish and inverts. 1.021 is your idea across the board. Leeway from 1.018 to 1.023 is acceptable and ideal at times based on your livestock.
Anything below 1.020 is pushing into hypo-salinity.

-NO LIONFISH in a 30 gallon tank. Lionfish also have poison in the rays of their fins, so it's not for everyone, and not for a beginner IMO.
A fuzzy dwarf lion, or a fu manchu lion, would work in a 30 gallon with no problems.

...

 

[inssane]

Salinity - I know, I am just giving ranges I am familiar with. I tried never to go above 1.023 or below 1.020 personally.

Yes a Fuzzy would work, but realistically the bigger ones are more common in a LFS and if you ask to see a Lionfish, you will be looking at a juv. of a bigger species.
But thanks for clarifying. It's been about 10 years since salt for me, so I am rusty.

 

[nonstophoops]

Personally I would aim to have my tank have saltwater as close to the ocean's as possible. That means 1.025, but you can have some leeway on this and go as low as 1.020 as Heath said. I really would try to stay on the high side though.

For a tank this size I would get 2 occelaris clowns. They stay small and are the least aggressive of the clownfish. They are also the cheapest.

You can then add a fish or 2 to the clownfish and be fully stocked. I would look at some goby species and see if you like any of them.

I think a dwarf angel will be tough in this setting as most get pretty aggressive, but if you really like them and want to try it I would look for a Coral Beauty Angel.

Those 4 fish would make a fully stocked tank in my opinion. That will give you an idea of what you can put in the tank when you find stuff you like.

Make sure when you set up the tank you let it cycle just like a freshwater tank would and slowly stock it after it has cycled. I think that saltwater differs from freshwater here in that it is a little more delicate at the beginning and overstocking right away can cause big problems. Using my example stocking from above, I would add a goby first, wait 2 weeks, and then add the clowns, then wait again and add the angel. You should wait at least this long between introductions so that you don't put too big a strain on the biological processes and cause an ammonia spike.

I agree in that live rock would be a very good idea. It looks good, provides natural habitat, and helps with filtration.

 

[inssane]

Live rock + Midas blenny =

HELLO!