haveing a skimmer is a good thing but if you have some good filtration you can go without one. now dont get me wrong Im not saying its a waste of money, but in some cases they are just not needed. also they WOULD extend the time between water changes. unless you are going to do a reef or a pred tank then i would say you CAN hold off on the skimmer FOR NOW
How to start a Saltwater Tank?
- Thread starter Chrisplosion
- Start date
Does Live rock need special light?
Ok so I have these:
1. Tank 20H
2. Hood/Light
3. Heater
4. Air Pump (not sure if I need or should use it)
List of things to buy:
1. Filter
2. Powerhead
3. Instan Oscean Sea Salt
7. Live Sand or White Sand (Haven't decide because I know the live sand is alive but it looks crappy)
5. Live Rock
6. Hydrometer thing
What else do I need to buy?
Ok so I have these:
1. Tank 20H
2. Hood/Light
3. Heater
4. Air Pump (not sure if I need or should use it)
List of things to buy:
1. Filter
2. Powerhead
3. Instan Oscean Sea Salt
7. Live Sand or White Sand (Haven't decide because I know the live sand is alive but it looks crappy)
5. Live Rock
6. Hydrometer thing
What else do I need to buy?
clowns are pretty easy to keep.
you will need:
Live rock
Live sand
filter- HOB or any is fine, just be sure to clean the mechanical part of it a lot.
heater
wave maker
coral life salt mix is cheaper and better in my experience
Then just do some more reading, simple questions like does live rock need a special light will always be easily answered if you just type that in google.
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=does+live+rock+need+special+lighting
but the answer is no, any light is fine.
you will need:
Live rock
Live sand
filter- HOB or any is fine, just be sure to clean the mechanical part of it a lot.
heater
wave maker
coral life salt mix is cheaper and better in my experience
Then just do some more reading, simple questions like does live rock need a special light will always be easily answered if you just type that in google.
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=does+live+rock+need+special+lighting
but the answer is no, any light is fine.
I just set up my 33 gallon (36"L x 12"W x 18"H) for saltwater. I am running it with a tetra whisper HOB rated for 45 gallons and a C80 mini-canister. With these 2 filters, plus 20lbs. of crushed coral and about 10-15 lbs. of live rock, I should be alright, right? I only plan to have a clownfish or 2 and possibly 3-5 blue chromis? Any experts see a problem with this? I am a complete SW noob, so please hook it up with suggestions. PS - Anyone ever use a mini-protein skimmer? like the Rio nano-skimmer? and if so, think it'll be good enough for my current requirements?
Most of the mini skimmers are pretty crappy.
Canister filters are usually recommended against because they can trap detritus, and therefore be a "nitrate factory".
Hob is fine, but if you go that route, it should be super oversized. It should also be kept clean, so that you avoid the same situation as the one I mentioned with the HOB.
I would recommend just getting a skimmer and some powerheads. Thats all the filtration I need on my 75g mixed reef tank, and everything has been doing good for 8 years now. Its called a berlin system if you want to research more online.
I also recommend 1.0-2.0 grain size aragonite ahead of crushed coral.
AquaC is my favorite brand of skimmer. High quality, acceptable prices, awesome customer service. I think they just made a smaller skimmer. If anyone could make a good nano skimmer, it would be them.
Canister filters are usually recommended against because they can trap detritus, and therefore be a "nitrate factory".
Hob is fine, but if you go that route, it should be super oversized. It should also be kept clean, so that you avoid the same situation as the one I mentioned with the HOB.
I would recommend just getting a skimmer and some powerheads. Thats all the filtration I need on my 75g mixed reef tank, and everything has been doing good for 8 years now. Its called a berlin system if you want to research more online.
I also recommend 1.0-2.0 grain size aragonite ahead of crushed coral.
AquaC is my favorite brand of skimmer. High quality, acceptable prices, awesome customer service. I think they just made a smaller skimmer. If anyone could make a good nano skimmer, it would be them.
