new to salt

[oakes]

So I just got a tank, 30"x31"x15" and I want to go salt with this one! Plan on doing fish and live rock, don't want to jump into corals yet. Do canister filters work well with saltwater, because it will be hard to get a sump under this tank. So far I'm looking at getting a canister, protein skimmer, and some decent lights just to show off whatever fish I get for it. What else would I need and/or what would you do with this one? I know the rock work will be a little odd since it's not that deep, but I just need a lot of input before I start this thing. I'm hoping to build a stand for it within the next week or so and then start from there. I already know I've got a lot of reading to do, but if you had this size tank what would you do??

 

[dr_sudz]

you can use a canister but dump the media and fill it with small chunks of live rock, as this will have a better filtering media.

 

[oakes]

Never thought of that, will have to look into it, thanks!

 

[RoastReef]

I would ditch the canister all together. If you're going to run a skimmer (hang on the back I assume) and you have enough live rock/sand, you shouldn't need it. Canisters are just a pain to clean and it has to be done pretty often to keep it from becoming a nitrate factory. Detritus will settle in certain spots in the canister and you'll have to break it down and clean it. I only use a skimmer and live rock/sand in my tank. Every so often I'll storm the tank and sump to suspend the detritus and use a filter sock. Other than that, I don't even use socks.

 

[TheCanuck]

with all the live micro organisms inside rubble rock, how would a canister ever become a nitrate factory? Also canisters should be cleaned every 2 weeks, bad husbandry shouldn't ruin a still very useful product.

 

[johnson5585]

From what I have researched, canisters are only issues if you are trying to do a reef tank. Corals and invertebrates are much more sensitive to nitrates than fish. When people refer to canisters being nitrate factories they are actually referring to how efficient they are and they build nitrates quicker than you would like to in a reef tank. I have seen many successful fish only tanks with live rock using canisters and as long as you are performing your regular maintenance they are not an issue. With proper maintenance you can make a hob filter work.

My reef tank has a sump with a filter sock, an ok skimmer and a refugium.

My FOWLR (fish only with live rock) tank has a HOB (hang on the back filter)

No issues on either, but I perform regular weekly maintenance on both.

Go slow and take your time, Stock slowly.

 

[oakes]

Thanks for the input! I might try and see what size sump I can fit under the stand once I build it, or try and build a stand around the sump if it's not too big..

Also, this tank is a rimless and I wasn't planning on putting covers on it, would this be a good idea?

 

[Mazcote Yarquest]

Also, this tank is a rimless and I wasn't planning on putting covers on it, would this be a good idea?

This all depends, I keep my tank in the same room with my pellet stove, the stove creates A LOT of dust when filling it, this dust settles into my tank and causes me problems. I also have popsicle/candy covered fingers running around my house fish/corals don't like popsicles or candy.

You may have figured out, I keep a tight cover on my tank. I wish I didn't have too though as some of the best tanks I have seen have no cover.

 

[oakes]

Are saltwater fish jumpers? I know if I get an eel I would def. need a lid, but might just start out with some smaler community fish. Especially since this will be a FOWLR setup for the time being.

 

[TheCanuck]

gobies have been known to jump, but there are few that jump. Also dartfish have been know to escape. Just ask your lfs they will know.