Salt water project start

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Greez

Greez

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 18, 2010
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Ilinois
So, I've been into aquariums for years and all that time I have always admired the salt water tanks especially those ones with a lot of coral and the blue light :drool:
So I decided sell/trade my Purple Spilo and transform his home into a salt water tank. It's a 29g tank I believe the blueprint is 30"L x 12"W x 18"H
I have a HOB filter which is a Marineland Penguin 350 and a heater able to heat the tank very well as a fresh water tank. ( I forgot the wattage)

So I was walking around my LFS and checking out prices for things like:
Lighting, substrate, skimmer, coral, and fish.
As I was looking around I was asking some kid some random questions about things, some I knew some I had no clue, to try and get a grasp on what I would need and how much the kid knows.
Any way he ended up saying that with a tank as small as mine I wouldn't need a protein skimmer but not having one may require me to do more water changes... That raised questions and I only trust this forum when it comes to my fish, so here are my questions...

1. Is that correct could I be fine without one for a while or ever, I would like to get this set-up as soon as I have the money and if the protein skimmer isn't necessary it would move my plans up a few weeks.
2. I was also wondering what are some things you guys have needed for you salt tank that you wish you had bought before setting up your tank?
3. Is there anything I should do before adding live rock, should I add live rock and fish together, or separate them?
4. How long does it take before coral will attach itself to live rock, or is it instant, Is their something I can buy to help it grow and do well?
5. I was going to only add one fish for now(most likely a clown fish) is that wise or should I wait till I can afford more fish and add them together?

I'm very new to salt water tanks and I'm apologize if my questions are asked a ton. I just want to have all my answers in one place so that when I go to spend the large amount of money on this tank I wont mess up and be wasting it.
 
1. Is that correct could I be fine without one for a while or ever, I would like to get this set-up as soon as I have the money and if the protein skimmer isn't necessary it would move my plans up a few weeks.

I would definitely not recomend excluding the skimmer. They are an essential part of saltwater aquariums, without them you will find your aquarium much harder to manage.

2. I was also wondering what are some things you guys have needed for you salt tank that you wish you had bought before setting up your tank?

Can't say anything here, except maybe a better background :ROFL:

3. Is there anything I should do before adding live rock, should I add live rock and fish together, or separate them?

Get the tank running with filtration etc, then add your live rock. Get some "cycling" fish e.g. damsels at the same time (or right after) you get the live rock.

4. How long does it take before coral will attach itself to live rock, or is it instant, Is their something I can buy to help it grow and do well?

Varies between corals. Different corals will have different needs, some will thrive with light only, others will need additional "food".

5. I was going to only add one fish for now(most likely a clown fish) is that wise or should I wait till I can afford more fish and add them together?

Adding fish slowly is always a good idea. Adding them all at once will cause a spike in ammonia...
Click to expand...

^ HTH
 
BlackShark11k;4045273; said:
^ HTH
Click to expand...

Only thing I have to say about this is the Damsel thing. IMHO It's best to let the Rock do the cycle alone. The LR should have enough dead stuff to get the cycle going without having to add a fish. Once you're about a little more than half way done with the cycle you can add in a clean up crew. The reason for this is ammonia spikes are stressful for any fish, and can be dangerous to their heath and even in some cases kill them. You don't want to harm a fish to get the cycle going.
 
I am no tree hugger but....

I personally, prefer to cycle without a live fish, I just hate killing needlessly. A Damsel would likely survive though.

The more I read the bigger fan I am becoming of the AG or algae scrubber concept. It looks to me like a scrubber could replace a skimmer all together. More research is need to quantify this statement though.

If you learn nothing else from this thread learn this; It is gooder to go slower!

Take your time and be prepared to spend some time and dough, in the end it is worth it though.
 
-skimmer is not nessecarry but highly recommended what you spend on the skimmer you will save on aggravation and livestock

-don't skimp on live rock get a nice size pile in your tank (you really can't have too much) with a small powerhead or two

-don't add any livestock for at least two weeks then add inverts if you want I would put 5-10 hermits (i know what people say about them being predators and stuff but they will scavange and help with your tank) a day or two later add a fish or two slow stocking is best for a new system

- if you want to add fish and livestock quickly, get the live rock then use bio spira you will be able to put crabs in the next day and fish in the day after that

-corals will grow onto the rock and most that you will buy will already be attached to a rock

- you don't need to put damsels in, a captive bred clownfish is just as hardy I would still suggest adding inverts first

-recap
get a skimmer, but it is not nessecary, especially not immediately
use as much liverock as possible a large mountain gives you plenty of places to put coral
cycle minimum of two weeks or use bio spira
best of luck
 
Well first off thanks for the advice I really appreciate the help, especially since this project will have a few paychecks going into it.
So I was thinking what if I waited till I put the fish in to get my protein skimmer and just ran the tank with live rock, corals and a few inverts like s200g said. I figured that would mean it would run for about 3-4 weeks without fish and a skimmer...

This is all plans for the future and the quickest I'd be able to start buying things for it would be in a month but it may take a bit longer depending on finances.
About how much live rock do you think I could have in the 29g the kid at the LFS said around 25pounds, does that sound about right to anyone else?
Also he said that I would have to buy most of my coral separate because I would only get a very small amount of coral like things that grow from the live rock... does that sound right or should I look into buying from someone online... if so where and do you have a link?
 
There are so many ways you could go about setting up this tank........

Lets start with the important questions here. I don't know why you people are telling him he needs these things when you don't even know what kind of tank he is going to be running.

First of all.....

Full out reef?
Predator?
FOWLR
Community with minimal corals?

If you do corals then are you going to attempt all corals? soft ones? hard ones?
This will play into need of skimmer, amount of live rock, lighting, and your setup can totally change.

This would play a big role on your tank.

Also the people who suggested a skimmer isn't the best idea if he plans on corals. Skimmers remove essential food for corals and living live rock that is removed. These elements stunt your corals and remove necessary things.

So what are you plans for the tank?
 
I would say let me know what your plans are for the tank and I can assist u with proper equipment choice and lighting

mr.reef24
 
TheCanuck;4046356; said:
There are so many ways you could go about setting up this tank........

Lets start with the important questions here. I don't know why you people are telling him he needs these things when you don't even know what kind of tank he is going to be running.

First of all.....

Full out reef?
Predator?
FOWLR
Community with minimal corals?

If you do corals then are you going to attempt all corals? soft ones? hard ones?
This will play into need of skimmer, amount of live rock, lighting, and your setup can totally change.

This would play a big role on your tank.

Also the people who suggested a skimmer isn't the best idea if he plans on corals. Skimmers remove essential food for corals and living live rock that is removed. These elements stunt your corals and remove necessary things.

So what are you plans for the tank?
Click to expand...

I'd like to have a full reef tank with maybe a couple random fish in it(nothing big, just some ones that will not fight and look nice with the corals that will be in there.)
I believe I want soft corals but I'll make sure to find out 100% tomorrow.
 
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