New to Reefland

[rdouglas]

I've had a number of fresh water aquariums in the past--specifically with African Cichlids. I've been out of it for a few years and am looking at starting into salt water. I've enjoyed reading the discussions....I still have a lot of questions. I was looking at a package deal on a 30 gallon aquarium set-up for salt water and wasn't sure what corals would grow, or, if any would grow in that kinds of a system. I've have seen a number of people discuss the MH bulbs but don't know if those are only needed in 'hard coral' situations. Any thoughts?
Also, what equipment would be the basic that would be required for this system to function well? I know that I don't want it to be 'fish only' but would like some live rock in it as well with feather dusters, anenomes, etc.

Thanks!

[Reefland]

Hi rdouglas, Welcome to Reefland!

Typically when buying a "kit" your buying a lot of stuff that would not be recommended by anymoe, typically because it's not needed. For a basic saltwater aquarium that is going to house soft corals and some large polyp stonies, here would be my recipe for a new hobbyist.

First, determine what kind of animals you would lie to keep and research their captive requirements. This will either dictate the size aquarium that is needed or dictate a need to change what you would like to keep. For instance you mention that you would like to keep hard corals and anemones. Well if your talking about large polyp stony corals (brains, frogspawn, plates, etc.) then I would suggest that using VHO, PC or T-5 lighting would be fine. However you mention that you would like anemones which would require more intense metal halide lighting and just as important, a very stable and mature enviroment. Besides, it would not be advised to keep on in a 30 gallon aquarium so I would remove this from your list and stick with the others. Also know that you will be limited on the fish you can put in this size tank. Knowing some of the species that interests you would be helpful.

Anyhow, you will need the aquarium. I would suggest intially setting it up with a sump which means you need a drilled tank or external overflow, a smaller aquarium to use as the sump and a return pump. Here, you can place a submersible heater (I use Ebo Jager but there are others that are fine) and a protein skimmer, an AquaC Urchin is hard to beat for a small aquarium. Lighting as mentioned could be a 2 or 4 bulb VHO, PC or T-5 kit, depending more on what type of large polyp stonies you are wanting to keep. Lastly, a couple of powerheads (Maxi-Jet's are great) for additional water movement in the display.

This leaves you with substrate. Lots will suggest livesand at a depth of 4"+ but a bare-bottom is also doable for this size tank. I recent published an article in RHO that lists some of the pro's and con's of each. About 30lbs or quality liverock, a quality sythetic sea salt and purified water and your ready to begin. During the intial phase of setup all you will need is your liverock, no need to add any fish at this point. Get some good test kits, Salifert, for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, calcium and alkalinity and your ready to start cycling.

[rdouglas]

Scott,
Thanks for the input. Very helpful. I think I'll make a list of some of the things that I like at the store and then figure out what they would need to be healthy. I really appreciate the input...Definitely saves me from just going out and purchasing a setup without thinking through the other parameters. I am definitely enjoying seeing what's out there. It's been awhile since the aquarium bug has bitten...

Rob

[Reefland]

Rob,

This hobby can be very exciting and gratifying when the efforts are put forth. The efforts I speak of aren't only in maintaining the tank but researching all the possibilities for equipment and better yet, livestock. This will be much more fun if you are attempting to keep only animals that your environment is capable of sustaining.

[rdouglas]

Scott,
You had mentioned the aquarium being drilled. I am assuming that this is to get the water to the sump. How do I go about getting the aquarium drilled?
Rob

[zhenya]

Scott,
You had mentioned the aquarium being drilled. I am assuming that this is to get the water to the sump. How do I go about getting the aquarium drilled?
Rob

Rob, depending upon where you are purchasing your aquarium from, some stores will drill them for you at a small fee. I know that my LFS will drill tanks for 25.00 per hole. Another possibility is to locate a local glass shop, they also may be willing to do it for you. Drilling a 30g tank is little tricky due to glass thicknes( and you can only drill sides as bottom glass is tempered).

[kevinpo]

Most glass shops will drill holes in tanks up to 2" diameter and some up to 3". Many of them will do it while you wait. Prices usually run from $10-$30. They will not replace the tank if it breaks but I have sent 30-40 customers to have tanks drilled and none of them have been broken.

HTH,
Kevin

[drlowz]

Rob,

This hobby can be very exciting and gratifying when the efforts are put forth. The efforts I speak of aren't only in maintaining the tank but researching all the possibilities for equipment and better yet, livestock. This will be much more fun if you are attempting to keep only animals that your environment is capable of sustaining.

You forgot to say that this hobby is much more expensive too...