[steveb_25]

Im getting a 30 gallon hexagon tank this week and would love a small salt water set up.

can u guys please help me out with what i need??

Im probly getting the 600Maxi-Jet filter, a normal fish heater (150W), and i have fine fine white gravel for the bottom. what else do i need? im clue-less guys!! if u have a link to steps for seting up a tank, it wud be awsome
thanks!!

[Samper]

First you need to do a little research. Gravel = bad. It will end up being a huge deitritus trap and contribute to poor water quality over time. I would use a fine particle deep sand bed or leave it bare bottom. A hang on the back protein skimmer will help you with water quality. A prizm will work fine for that tank unless you have the money to burn on a better one. Instant ocean is a good salt mix to consider. A refractometer will help you get your salinity correct. Salifert and Lamotte make the best test kits....or you could buy digital stuff if you have the cash. A few maxi jet powerheads will help circulate water unless you decide to use a sump and then your return pump will circulate for you. If you go the sump route you will need a hang on the back overflow.
Research sump systems and see if you have room for one. They help eliminate clutter in the display from equipment hanging everywhere.
Also think about what type of animals you want to keep and run those ideas by us. You will be limited in your livestock with that size tank but that's ok.
Also the type of animals you want to keep will determine the lighting that you need. Keep in mind there is a cycle process and that we don't recommend cycling with living organisms so please look into the proper ways to cycle a new setup.
That should get you started.

[Samper]

Also this site has a search feature and very helpful people. Anything you need to research you can find.

[Freddy Twotimes]

Saltwater Aquariums 101 - Getting Started

You should know what you want to keep in the tank so you know what kind of system to build. A reef is much different than a fish only tank as far as the equipment required to run it. Reefs equipment on the tank can vary between the type of corals you keep.

[Freddy Twotimes]

marineandreef.com/ Aquarium Reef Lighting Chart--Find the best aquarium hood lighting for all sizes of reek tanks

If you wanted to keep corals this could be helpful too. Never under estimate the importance of the skimmer. Find one that is rated for a tank 2+ times larger than your own.

[rjs5134]

If you haven't purchased your heater yet, I would recommend buying 2 smaller heaters so if one fails the other will compensate and if one runs hot, it won't boil your inhabitants. A digital thermometer with an alarm and high/low memory will be useful also.

Good luck,

Rob