Looking for recommendations....

[Cuadata Chic]

I haven't yet kept a saltwater tank yet, so I'm in the process of research.
My boyfriend bought me a 29 gallon octogonal tank with an under gravel filter and under-tank lighting.

It's going to more or less be the centerpiece of our living room, and as such, I would like to stock it with a vibrant variety of animals. I would certainly like to make it a reef tank, though I've no experience with coral, and am worried that under-tank lighting would be a problem. I was hoping for recommendations of coral that can be maintained in this situation (preferably species that are easy to maintain)

Thanks,
-Hel

[Ninong]

Hi Cuadata,



Under-gravel filters have not been used in reef aquariums in decades. And I have no idea what you mean by "under-tank" lighting?

[callahans4]

there are some great guys here to help you along. salt water tanks are alot of work as i have found out over the last few months. i love it, i hate it, i love it, i hate it. if you really want to do this give them all the info they ask for and they will drown you with great info. start with size and mfg of tank, read the forum and it will answer alot of questions. be patient it is a slow process but worth it. my wife and i spend more time looking at and working together on the tank.

[Leetch]

Welcome and good luck on your tank - I'm pretty much a newbie to this whole thing (just about a year now) but can tell you the folks here have been extremely helpful and have provided a ton of information.

From experience I would tell you the following.

1) read all the stickies in these forums
2) Determine how you would like it to look before you try stocking it. It's a pain and can be stressful on the creatures if you are constantly changing things when it's stocked.
3) Undergravel filters don't work in reef tanks as substrate will be your base (basically sand) and that would just clog up your filter.
4) read all the stickies in these forums
5) Know the basic rules of your aquarium (i.e. the amount of fish your system will be able to handle, the lighting requirements of your tank, the filter requirements, water parameters,etc)
6) Patience - read up on tank cycling and understand that coral and anemones and such have needs. (newer tanks don't have the algae and nutrients necessary to sustain certain creatures)

Just as a start I would suggest you tell these folks what you would like to stock and they will help answer some of the other questions. For example, if you plan on using a reef tank with anemones, coral etc. you will need certain lighting requirements for your system to be happy.

Some basic parts you will need.

Good filter (mechanical and chemical)
Good protein skimmer ( I recommend AquaC Remora)
Good lighting (depends on creatures but should probably be a minimum of a 96 watt T-5 lighting system)
Good amount of substrate (differeing opinions here but 2" of live sand on the bottom has worked for me)
Good amount of live rock - this is your biological filter (I've been told approx 1.2lbs of live rock per gallon of tank so 29g tank = approx 35lbs live rock)
Sump tank (not required but will certainly help stabilize the system as there is more water volume for your system)
Good water (read the sticky on water)


It's a lot of work up front and there is a fair amount of maintenance that has to be done but once you've got it set up and have a routine, it will become a lot easier.

Good luck - hope this helps.

[Leetch]

A few good books -

"The Conscientous Marine Aquarist" by Robert Fenner
"Corals" by Eric Bornemann (Basically a textbook)
"The New Marine Aquarium" by Michael Paletta