Starting a saltwater tank?

[The King Crabb]

Hi, I'm completely and totally new to saltwater fish; but not to fish keeping. I've kept Cichlids for years and consider myself experienced.

But where saltwater is involved, I know basically nothing!

I was thinking of maybe setting up a saltwater tank, but I've got more than a few questions!

1) Is a surface skimmer and a protein skimmer the same thing?
2) What is the rule of thumb for the number of times the water is turned in an hour?
3) What is a good beginner size?
4) Is a sump necessary? I don't have a problem with having one, just wondering
5) Stock suggestions for the tank (for the size you suggest)?
6) What is a list of all the equipment needed?
7) What's the rule of thumb for the lighting requirements?

Thanks in advance!

[Reefing Madness]

Hi, I'm completely and totally new to saltwater fish; but not to fish keeping. I've kept Cichlids for years and consider myself experienced.

But where saltwater is involved, I know basically nothing!

I was thinking of maybe setting up a saltwater tank, but I've got more than a few questions!

1) Is a surface skimmer and a protein skimmer the same thing?
No. A surface skimmer is a device that just takes water from the surface, then into a filter or skimmer.

2) What is the rule of thumb for the number of times the water is turned in an hour?
Fish only starts at 10x and a Reef starts at 20x.

3) What is a good beginner size?
30g

4) Is a sump necessary? I don't have a problem with having one, just wondering
Nope, its not a necessity.

5) Stock suggestions for the tank (for the size you suggest)?
Nano Fish
Beginner Fish: Tropical Fish for Beginners in Saltwater Aquariums

6) What is a list of all the equipment needed?
450gph powerhead. Heater. Refractometer. 2-3" Sand Bed. 40lbs Live Rock or 10lbs Live Rock and 30lbs Dead Rock(lace rock). Skimmer not needed if you keep up on weekly 10% water changes. Reef Master Water Test Kit.

7) What's the rule of thumb for the lighting requirements?
4x to start with for a Reef. Normal output flourescent for a fish only tank.

Thanks in advance!

Hope I didn't miss anything.

[The King Crabb]

Thanks a ton! 30 Long tank or just a regular 30G? Is a Fish Only tank the easiest way to go? If the protein skimmer isn't needed if I keep up on weekly 10% water changes, will it still help to buy it?

[Reefing Madness]

Thanks a ton! 30 Long tank or just a regular 30G? Is a Fish Only tank the easiest way to go? If the protein skimmer isn't needed if I keep up on weekly 10% water changes, will it still help to buy it?

I'd go with the 30 long, more swim room for the fish, they go more back and forth than they go up and down. Yes, the protein skimmer definately will be a bonus there.

[The King Crabb]

30G longs seem like their not the most abundant tank... Is a 55G (could find a nice setup for $100 dollars and add on until it's suitable) too hard for a beginner? What size sump (or flow rate of filter) do you suggest for a 55G - if I did that? Also, are water parameters easier to maintain in larger tanks like they are in freshwater?

[Reefing Madness]

30G longs seem like their not the most abundant tank... Is a 55G (could find a nice setup for $100 dollars and add on until it's suitable) too hard for a beginner? What size sump (or flow rate of filter) do you suggest for a 55G - if I did that? Also, are water parameters easier to maintain in larger tanks like they are in freshwater?

55g is a good starter. The more water volume the more stable the water. Eaiser to manintain? Hmm, no, the smaller ones are easier because you don't have to dose as much, the water changes are smaller, stuff like that. I change 55 gallons at a time in my tank. ;). Water parameter easier to maintain than fresh water, no. You have to watch Calcium, Alk, PH, most freshwater guys don't watch those. Also, Nitrates for a Reef are dangerous, so those need to be kept at 0.
55 set-up. Sump could be 20g and up. Petco just came out with the 30g long. Should be able to get one. Flow rate would be 600gph to start with then up from there, so 2 300gph powerheads or a big pump split into 2. I like the 55, you can do alot and its relatively easy to maintain. Then again, once your into saltwater, its really not that tough to maintain, its just watching the parameters and adjusting. Oh, you'll also need a skimmer in a 55g.

[The King Crabb]

Thanks so much for all the help! I'll let y'all know how it goes!

[leebca]

There is a post here that tells you everything you have asked and explains why and also may have things in it you didn't ask about. Make sure you look at the sticky with the title: Setting up a FOWLR.