need help setting up a a salt water tank

[bboykoi]

I need to know what i need to set up a salt water tank

i want to know how to set up a 10 gallon nano tank before i move on into a bigger tank

thanks

 

[CHOMPERS]

Nano's and pico's have unique challenges due to their small size. A 30g is actually a better starter tank because it won't have the evaporation and top off issues. It will be easier to keep the salinity and chemicals stable in a 30g vs. a 10g.

 

[gotrocks]

IMHO I would not try anything smaller than a 55g on your first attempt at salt. And might I suggest that you research and then do more research. If you know someone with a salt then you should pick their brain for all it's worth. oh and ask questions here! My two cents..........

 

[CHOMPERS]

I need to know what i need to set up a salt water tank

There are many ways to set up a saltwater tank. Smaller tanks are generally set up skimmerless and sumpless. The bio-filtration is done entirely using live rock and live sand. Mechanical filtration is either omitted or performed by a HOB filter.

In larger tanks, the mechanical filtration is usually entirely by the skimmer. The Berlin Method uses only live rock and live sand for the bio and only a skimmer for the mechanical. This is typically the method used in FOWLR (fish only with live rock) tanks. There is another variation called DSB (deep sand bed) that uses a deep bed of live sand to help consume the nitrates. It seems that it is falling out of favor because macro algaes need a balance of phosphates and nitrates. In the absence of nitrates, the algaes don't effectively consume phosphates.

Lastly, you can buy live rock and live sand so that you can avoid the cycling process. To start up a saltwater tank cold from base rock and bare sand, it is said to take upwards of six months before it is ready for some fish and corals.

 

[SkiPro]

i have a 15 gallon nano and i agree with everything said so far... it is a constant battle you will spend more money killing stuff in a 15 gallon then you will spend on a nice 55+ gallon tank. Read lots and when you think you are ready read some more then you can set up your tank. What time of tank are you setting up FOWLR, FO, Reef? what type of lighting are you planning on using??? both of those questions will greatly affect the overall price of the tank and maintenance.

 

[tcarswell]

There are many ways to set up a saltwater tank. Smaller tanks are generally set up skimmerless and sumpless. The bio-filtration is done entirely using live rock and live sand. Mechanical filtration is either omitted or performed by a HOB filter.

In larger tanks, the mechanical filtration is usually entirely by the skimmer. The Berlin Method uses only live rock and live sand for the bio and only a skimmer for the mechanical. This is typically the method used in FOWLR (fish only with live rock) tanks. There is another variation called DSB (deep sand bed) that uses a deep bed of live sand to help consume the nitrates. It seems that it is falling out of favor because macro algaes need a balance of phosphates and nitrates. In the absence of nitrates, the algaes don't effectively consume phosphates.

Lastly, you can buy live rock and live sand so that you can avoid the cycling process. To start up a saltwater tank cold from base rock and bare sand, it is said to take upwards of six months before it is ready for some fish and corals.

Could explain why my 55 gallon saltwater tank was not all the successful , but I was 11 and had a panther grouper a clown trigger and ofcourse a red volitans lion fish and fed exclusively goldfish. But hey I was 11

 

[CHOMPERS]

My first SW tank was 110g and skimmerless. I also had a UGF on it. I had a reef wall of dead corals that eventually became live rock but I didn't know the LR concept. I had a porqupine puffer and fed him FW minnows from a bait shop.
It was before the days of the internet so all the information came from people that wanted to sell you something. And if you weren't buying, they weren't talking.

 

[Blake1]

I'd just get an all in on system... Also if you are going for corals go for the easy the hardy ones. check this dudes videos on corals to get some ideas http://www.saltwaterhub.com/Corals.shtml

And make sure you see someone who knows what they are talking about. The guys in this forum seem pretty good though.

 

[krichardson]

Do what I did before I set up my first salt tank,get some good books to get yourself started.There are even books devoted to the whole Nano genre on the shelves now.