So I have a 55 gallon laying around and I wanted to make it SW.I see there is alot of threads on ths issue,however,I need help in picking the right filter/skimmer,substrate,fish,etc.I am also only on a limited budget(I am only 13 lol). So yeah,help me here!
Help with my 55gal salt!
- Thread starter SWn00b
- Start date
how limited?
you can always start basic and work your way up as budget increases.. you don't have to get everything up front
you can always start basic and work your way up as budget increases.. you don't have to get everything up front
$ 100 is not much to start with but I would get as much sand and live rock as possible then salt and start your cycle as you save more money!
You shouldn't need too much filtration at the cycle stage or skimmer yet!
Get the tank going befor you buy a skimmer!
As for a filter!
If you have enough live rock you don't need a filter at all!!!!
You shouldn't need too much filtration at the cycle stage or skimmer yet!
Get the tank going befor you buy a skimmer!
As for a filter!
If you have enough live rock you don't need a filter at all!!!!
pet smart, and petco and virtually any other fish store that deal with saltwater should carry the 30lbs dry argonite sand, 2 bags of that and one 25 lbs bag of Livesand would seed the dead sand quickly enough. I would not start looking at corals untill you have a good budget started up, IE enough income to maintain corals properly.
Fish will be basic, but as of right now, the least of startup concerns. Get the tank going, then start researching the fish you'd like, put together a list, and we'll pick it apart if it needs to be and explain each type of fish, to the best of our knowledge.
Agree with no filter, and just having live rock, but at the beginning stage of your tank, it would be fine to have a simple HOB filter from petsmart to help keep things in line, while your building up the mass of your rock. Its important to remember that its probably wise to wait on adding fish, untill you have all the rock you want in the tank, to avoid any major ammonia spikes.
I usually suggest to get the best skimmer your money can buy. Its a hard issue, but cheap skimmers usually are worth the cheap price, as in not worth you buying. You will need to decide if it will need to be hang on or in sump as well.
Fish will be basic, but as of right now, the least of startup concerns. Get the tank going, then start researching the fish you'd like, put together a list, and we'll pick it apart if it needs to be and explain each type of fish, to the best of our knowledge.
Agree with no filter, and just having live rock, but at the beginning stage of your tank, it would be fine to have a simple HOB filter from petsmart to help keep things in line, while your building up the mass of your rock. Its important to remember that its probably wise to wait on adding fish, untill you have all the rock you want in the tank, to avoid any major ammonia spikes.
I usually suggest to get the best skimmer your money can buy. Its a hard issue, but cheap skimmers usually are worth the cheap price, as in not worth you buying. You will need to decide if it will need to be hang on or in sump as well.
Ok.I think for skimmers I'll use a hang on to conserve space.How deep should the sand level be?Also,I'm thinking of just using a HOB filter or UGF to help as a backup source if filteration.How long should I wait after I add the sand and rock,becuase I'm having trouble finding an accurate waiting time,so I want to now what works best!
So do you want a FO (fish only) or FOWLR (fish only with live rock) setup then?... as far as FOWLR I just threw my liverock in after I got the correct salinity. Helps cycle the tank faster, and depending on how long your willing to let cycle, you don't really need live sand if you decide to get lots of live rock, as it should seed it, as dead sand will eventually become live so to speak. Also, what do you have for the 55 laying around, just the tank? if so your going to need a heater and hydrometer too obviously. As far as skimmers, your going to have to make due without if you only have 100 to spend, and I agree with getting a cheap hob as a startup.
. I have a UGF and a stealth heater already.Also what about the eels??