new 30 gallon fowlr tank

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penguin03

Gambusia
MFK Member
Jan 3, 2016
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Hi all,

I am looking to setup a 30 gal salt and was looking for some assistance on the equipment. I have a rena filstar xp1 I will be using and I plan on buying 40lbs of live sand and around 30 of live rock. Powerheads I was wondering what the standard gph is for a 30 gal. (two smaller ones or one bigger one?). Also, is a protein skimmer necessary? I plan on only keeping beginner fish (clowns, damsels etc..) Also best filter media for the filstar? Any assistance is appreciated.

Thanks!
 
update: protein skimmer purchased (Aquatic Life 115 Mini) still looking for some assistance on power heads and the best filter media for the rena filstar
 
I would think 40 pounds of sand will give you a pretty deep sand bed. There is a calculator somewhere on this site that will tell you how deep of a sand bed you will have.

If you have a canister filter you aren't going to need 30 pounds of live rock. If you want to use it go ahead it won't hurt. For media I would use a filter pad or sponge for mechanical, ceramic rings for so biological filtration (if you use 30# of rock in the display tank you won't need that much) and some carbon and bio pellets. If you already have the rock aquascape your tank, smash the extra rock up if you have any and put it in the filter. Use this instead of ceramic rings.

Powerheads if you are on a tight budget get a sun-sun 600-1000 gph powerhead or a pair 300-600 gph powerhead. If you want to spend a little more get a Jebao wp10 or a pair of wp10s. You will be able to have it change settings constantly changing the flow pattern and feed mode is pretty cool.
 
Would you suggest I layer the media in the filter or mix it together? Does is matter? very beginner questions...but I just want to do it right.
 
To give you an idea. I have a 20 gal. Only like hounds of live rock right now but I will get more this weekend. It has been running for about four weeks. I have a powerhead that I bought at the local fish store a 70 gallon aqua clear filter but I took out the carbon. I have not bought a skimmer yet I will see you later on if I need it. I would go with Argonite sand I used about two 10 pound bags for mine. This is my first live rock tank so it's a start definitely will expand from here
 
Put carbon and biopellets in media bags. Both aren't needed but it is an easy way to maintain good water quality. I am not sure how your filter is set up. I tried looking at a picture but is was a hard to see. But the biomedia could go in a bag or a tray if there is one.
 
yeah three trays I have a filter pad and ceramic rings on the way... leak testing right now and then will start filtering ro water... any issues just using a random bin (cleaned obviously) with a lid as a saltwater mixing/ quarantine tank? I know i will need them an don't want to get carried away setting up a whole new system.
 
There shouldn't be an issue as long as no chemicals were used in the bin. You should use a glass tank for qt so you can better observe the fish. Pick up a 10 gallon tank on craigslist or at a dollar a gallon sale.
 
will do.... so far the RO unit is producing 36tdm from around 470... from what ive read that will be okay to use in the tank
 
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