Hi,
Although I have kept tropicals for over 30 years I have decided to convert the smaller of my two tanks to saltwater, where I shall be a complete rookie. I have many questions and hope you can all be of assistance.
Tank Size: 72"L x 24"W x 18.5" D
Net Capacity: 440 litres, 97 UK Gall / 116 US Gall
Intended Use: Fish Only System (for 1st year at least)
Maximum Stocking Level: Around 12 fish = 40" maximum
pH: 8.3
SG: 1.023
(Salt at 35g per litre of water)
I intend to use coral gravel as substrate, plus Ocean rock topped with approx 20kg of live (Fiji) rock. I also intend to use a protein skimmer rated for 50% moe than the tank's net capacity. Additional aeration can also be provided via either a 1200plh airpump or an 1800lph airpump.
Lithing via an Arcadia Luminaire 60" quad bulb, two marine white 14,000k and two marine blue 420 actinic bulbs. Temperature proposed is 27C.
This is where I start getting a little confused. I have several items of equipment that I am led to believe shall be of no use, or worse, counter productive. I have two Fluval FX5 canister filters which I am led to believe shall only be good for water circulation and storing a little carbon. Also I have read that water current is critical, and at least 10x net volume per hour.
If I seed the coral gravel with some sand from an established tank, add the 20kg of live rock and provide enough time (at least 1 month) for them to establish prior to introducing my first few fish is it true that no other biological filtration is required? I would as mentioned have a good quality protein skimmer. I was thinking of selling the two FX5's and buying (for water circulation) either one 6500lph current pump or (to have one either end facing each other) two 3500lph current pumps instead. This would equate to approx 15x per hour turnover. I also thought of adding an appropriate sized ozoniser. Water changes proposed would be 5-10% once per week.
My fish list (in order of their proposed introduction) would be;
3x Yellow Tail Blue Damsels
2x Bi-colour Dottybacks
2x Common Clowns
1x Scooter Blenny
1x Mandarinfish
1 x Copperband Butterfly
2x Lemon Tangs (small)
(perhaps also 2 x Cleaner Shrimps)
(There would be 3-4 weeks between each introduction of fish)
I look forward to your critical appraisal and constructive comments.
Thank you very much.
Although I have kept tropicals for over 30 years I have decided to convert the smaller of my two tanks to saltwater, where I shall be a complete rookie. I have many questions and hope you can all be of assistance.
Tank Size: 72"L x 24"W x 18.5" D
Net Capacity: 440 litres, 97 UK Gall / 116 US Gall
Intended Use: Fish Only System (for 1st year at least)
Maximum Stocking Level: Around 12 fish = 40" maximum
pH: 8.3
SG: 1.023
(Salt at 35g per litre of water)
I intend to use coral gravel as substrate, plus Ocean rock topped with approx 20kg of live (Fiji) rock. I also intend to use a protein skimmer rated for 50% moe than the tank's net capacity. Additional aeration can also be provided via either a 1200plh airpump or an 1800lph airpump.
Lithing via an Arcadia Luminaire 60" quad bulb, two marine white 14,000k and two marine blue 420 actinic bulbs. Temperature proposed is 27C.
This is where I start getting a little confused. I have several items of equipment that I am led to believe shall be of no use, or worse, counter productive. I have two Fluval FX5 canister filters which I am led to believe shall only be good for water circulation and storing a little carbon. Also I have read that water current is critical, and at least 10x net volume per hour.
If I seed the coral gravel with some sand from an established tank, add the 20kg of live rock and provide enough time (at least 1 month) for them to establish prior to introducing my first few fish is it true that no other biological filtration is required? I would as mentioned have a good quality protein skimmer. I was thinking of selling the two FX5's and buying (for water circulation) either one 6500lph current pump or (to have one either end facing each other) two 3500lph current pumps instead. This would equate to approx 15x per hour turnover. I also thought of adding an appropriate sized ozoniser. Water changes proposed would be 5-10% once per week.
My fish list (in order of their proposed introduction) would be;
3x Yellow Tail Blue Damsels
2x Bi-colour Dottybacks
2x Common Clowns
1x Scooter Blenny
1x Mandarinfish
1 x Copperband Butterfly
2x Lemon Tangs (small)
(perhaps also 2 x Cleaner Shrimps)
(There would be 3-4 weeks between each introduction of fish)
I look forward to your critical appraisal and constructive comments.
Thank you very much.
