Starter Tank!

[DEIGNAN14]

Im new and im looking to start small and as painless as possible... I know the smaller the more maint. intensive... but I have a few important questions...


One. Is spending 200 bucks on lighting for a 20 gal reef tank essential?

Id like to have hardy stock along with some shrooms/polyps and cleaners (maybe a fish or two) to learn the salt water hoby...

Do these types require more than flouresant bulbs????


Two. Whats the best route to go with a protein skimmer? They seem to be priced all over the place...

Three. I keep being told diferent stories about filtration... will a bio filter fight the ability for the tank to cycle?? Should I have one w/out the carbon insert?

Thanks!

[Reefland]

Hi DEIGNAN14!

There are lots of lighting choices available to us and yes you could find a lighting set-up for $200 - $300 if you do some shopping. Personally I think you should look at going with a VHO kit or a single Metal Halide fixture over your tank; both would provide more than enough like for the mushrooms and polyps you mentioned, the MH being intense enough to add a SPS coral or clam if you desire down the road. Check out our Sponsors page and see what they have available for you in your price range but look at VHO or MH.

For a protein skimmer, get one that will do what it was designed to do. If you look at good protein skimmers, the prices don't vary a whole lot. The type you get will depend on if you plan to run a sump or will require a hang-on-the-tank design. For HOT, I think Remora Pro's are nice skimmers.

For filtration, stick with live rock and heavy skimming, using bio filters can lead to problems without proper and frequent cleanings. If you want to run some GAC, you can do it inside a mesh bag placed in any high flow area of your system, don't bother getting a little Whisper Filter or anything similar for that.

Regards,
Scott Z.

[saltjunkie]

Deig,


I too started small like you, but with a 10 gallon.

Here is the best way to go, it worked great for me..
Go to your local fish store, buy a hang on the back wet dry type of filter, the one i got was for a 50 gallon tANK, it had a built in protien skimmer.... i paid like 150 for it, but well worth it in the long run. I took out all the bio ball, put in live rock, and thre=u a small light over it,,,,

Next, i went to home depot, biught the Lights of america 65 watt light, dont remember the model number. it is a good light and affordable. then i bought a 9 watt LOA light.
from there i went online to ahsupply.com bought the 2x13 retro kit, that mounted into a normal 20' fixture, at ahsupply, i also bought a 9 watt actinic.. all this i mounted in a tall homemade hood... it gave me 100 watts of light for less than 150 bucks, including the canopy and strip light an timers. mine wasnt pretty, but do that mount a fan..... and you will be all set.. i liked it and would do it again if i went to a small tank again.....

[FishPharmD]

Dieg,

I've only been in the saltwater side of things for less than 2 months, and I've already learned some pretty tough lessons. You might not like my advice, but I swear if I had it to do all over again, here's how I would do it.

1. Save your $$ until you have ~1000. My initial budget was also $200, but after all the cheap schtuff I bought and quickly had to replace, I'm pushing 8-900 so far, without any coral or other nice inverts.
2. This might take awhile, but you will really thank yourself. I've learned that this isn't a hobby you can do halfway. Start with at the very minimum a 30 gal, better a 55 gal.
3. While you're saving, do your homework. That way you'll know what's going on, what to do, and you won't keep shooting yourself in the foot like I have.

Saltwater is a very rewarding hobby....if it's done right. It's my "mission"...if you will...to tell other newbies what I did so they won't make the same mistakes. If I had saved and did things right, I would have saved myself ~$500-600 in the long run in equipment and livestock I've had to replace. Good luck to you!!!!

P.S. Another way is to find yourself a "financial backer" or a sponsor. That's what I did on my 30 gal. at work. My boss agreed to pay for everything as long as he didn't have to take care of anything. Score!!!

[Eryl Flynn]

I am building another tank that will be for just me, first was a 125 for the now ex.

First off, smaller is not better. It is harder to keep the water stable. But it is cheaper over all. Figure about $30-$50 per gallon before the first fish, invert or coral hits the water.

I am not saying to buy the biggest tank you can, feel free to start small. I just would rather you be informed and make a decision you can live with.