I have a 20 gallon extra tall that I am thinking about using for my first salt tank, I have discus in a 75 gallon right now and am wanting something just as colorful in this tank, any suggestions, also what kind of filtration would be the best, I am looking to do this tank on a budget of around 75 for all equipment and another 100 or so for live stock
First Salt Tank
- Thread starter upaquariest
- Start date
Wow, with that budget it may be hard to get what you want. SW tanks arent cheap. Do your research and figure out what YOU want, and then try to figure out your price range.
and obviously a canister filter is the best IMO
and does the 100 for live stock count for live rock and the fish? Live rock is the key element to a SW tank from what i understand. And with LR running at over $5 a lb around here, and your gonna need quite a bit to fill a 20 tall.
Someone with more saltwater experience will chime in im sure, but you can get an idea from what ive stated.
and obviously a canister filter is the best IMO
and does the 100 for live stock count for live rock and the fish? Live rock is the key element to a SW tank from what i understand. And with LR running at over $5 a lb around here, and your gonna need quite a bit to fill a 20 tall.
Someone with more saltwater experience will chime in im sure, but you can get an idea from what ive stated.
Well from what I learnt so far, you will need about 1lb per gallon, so there's your $100 right there.
You will need skimmer, filter, heater, substrate, salt, that will cost quite abit. I just started a 20G as well, about 1 month ago, and buying decent substrate and filter media does cost abit. So far I've spent about 200AUD, and I still haven't finished yet! Oh, you will also need a test kit, I started mine with high range PH, nitrite, nitrate and ammonia.
Research is essential. I've read quite abit before I did stuff, so yeah, its a fun process!
You will need skimmer, filter, heater, substrate, salt, that will cost quite abit. I just started a 20G as well, about 1 month ago, and buying decent substrate and filter media does cost abit. So far I've spent about 200AUD, and I still haven't finished yet! Oh, you will also need a test kit, I started mine with high range PH, nitrite, nitrate and ammonia.
Research is essential. I've read quite abit before I did stuff, so yeah, its a fun process!
The most important piece you'll need that hasn't been mentioned yet is a hydrometer. Are you planning on having any live rock? If so you might be able to skimp a bit on the filtration side. I currently have a 29 with 30lbs of live rock and 30 lbs of live sand. After two months of waiting my water parameters are finally ideal and I was able to add a cleaner shrimp last night. I have a nice sized powerhead and an average HOB filter with all the media removed. It's mostly there for surface agitation. If you get into to it and find that you like it you might want to invest in some decent lighting. That way when you get some more experience under your belt you might try doing some coral.
LOL. I know that feeling. $80 on sand, $120 on rock, $40 on a powerhead. Somehow spending $240 on a tank that currently only houses a $20 cleaner shrimp seems a bit, uh, lame. 
I just added it all up. I already had the tank, light, cover, powerhead, got the skimmer for free (Thanks Tankbuster). I had to buy: aragonite substrate, live rock, salt, RO water, marine food, filter, thermometer, hydrometer, calcium supplement, snails, crabs, fish, and a cleaner shrimp. Total of about $400.
My wife is really impressed with how the 29 has turned out. She went so far as to suggest I convert my 125 to sw. I started pulling out receipts, showing her how much I've spent, and told her to multiply that by 4. She quickly changed her tune.
I have so far
Tank
Light
Heater
I planned on 150 for the live rock so I didnt include it in the budget i posted. Was told that I could get away with just a protein skimmer for filtration however the tank is presently used to quarentine my new discus for my 75 gal and I am running a penguin 125 on it. Would this filter provide benefit on the saltwater tank or could I modify it to run and be of any use.
Tank
Light
Heater
I planned on 150 for the live rock so I didnt include it in the budget i posted. Was told that I could get away with just a protein skimmer for filtration however the tank is presently used to quarentine my new discus for my 75 gal and I am running a penguin 125 on it. Would this filter provide benefit on the saltwater tank or could I modify it to run and be of any use.
The penguin would be useful in providing some water flow and you could put chemical media in it. A skimmer IMO is one of the most important filters on saltwater tanks, especially if you want to keep inverts.
My 10 gallon nano reef cost about $500 to set up, including the few corals I had.
My 10 gallon nano reef cost about $500 to set up, including the few corals I had.