[katen]

Hi All, Keith Here. Ok so we have had a fresh water tank(s) and think we are ready to move on to salt water. Have done some research and have just a few ? for you. Ok we have a 29 tall tank now should we go bigger? for a substrate i plan on using sand over crushed coral. should i mix some coral in with the sand or just the sand? under the sand as in thefresh water system do i use the underwater filtration system (grid )under the sand? and if not how are the power heads hooked up just hang for circulation purpose. I'm sure i will think of some more ? soon but that should be it for now.

Thanks Keith

[BubbaWPB]

Keith,

[BubbaWPB]

I *HATE* when that happens! It sends the message when I push the dang TAB key.

Anyway, Keith, welcome and good luck. Undergravel filters in saltwater cause disasters a few months to a year or so down the road, and they are pretty much not used in saltwater tanks. I think you need to do more research on filtration - specifically, plan for physical filtration, and biological filtration. How much and what type will depend on what you put in the tank. Read all you can about the nitrogen cycle, live rock, protein skimmers to start.

Is your tank big enough? That depends on what you want to put in it. Fish only? Corals? Invertebrates? I don't mean to be a P.I.T.A., but it really does matter what you want to put in it to advise if your tank is appropriate.

So, what do you want to keep in yoiur tank?

Bubba

[SKRIZ]

WELCOME!

I used to have a 29g reef and it was really tough to keep. The main thing to remember is that on a small tank, a small mistake is HUGE (%)!!! The larger the tank, the smaller the mistake becomes (diluted).

I would definately not mix cc with sand. I would think eventually the cc would rise to the top. I would use sand only.

If you plan on doing fish only with live rock (FOWLR), then th 29 might not be too bad.

Ask a ton of questions and get ready to be bombarded with info!

[showfish]

Welcome Keith,
I agree, do not mix sand and coral. I would go with a fine agronite substrate, thats MO. Do not go with the under-gravel filter, for like Bubba said it will lead to trouble. You might want to look at using live rock for your filtration, of course a good protein skimmer will be needed for this method. Like everything else in this hobby do lots of reading on the subject. As far as the tank goes, like Bubba has wisely advised, it all depends on the type of animals you wish to keep, for the type of animals will determine all other requirements.

[Steven Pro]

I agree with many of the sentiments expressed above.

I wrote this article shortly after Finding Nemo came out with the express intention of helping beginners setup a relatively small aquarium. Hopefully, you will find it useful.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/nemoproart.htm

[katen]

Thanks for all tha advise, 3 hours reading last night! Few more? where to pirchase items? Is it better to go to a lfs or online for LR and LS and if online any recommendations?. what is the best skimmer to get? If i understand from my research last night time table should be 1 set up with LS and LR wait 3 weeks no fish. 2 add few fish waitfew weeks Add few more. 3 after 1year add coral and inverts.

[zhenya]

Hi Keith,




For your purchases, if you wish to do online route, check out our sponsors page.
http://www.reefland.com/sponsors.php

Premium Aquatics has exellent reputation and sells live rock and other dry goods for reasonable prices. Of course, if your LFS can match prices you may be better off inspecting the rock in person before purchasing.
Time table will depend on what type of live rock you'll get. Generally speaking, cycling period with fresh, uncured rock can take anywhere from 6-8 weeks. So, patience will be very important along with doing as much research and reading as possible.

[BubbaWPB]

When you get your live rock, don't forget a testing kit. There are some reasonable kits that include the basics: pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate... calcium and alkalinity may be important later on after curing. You'll know when you're ready to add organisms....your tests will tell you! Ammonia will go up, then drop, then nitrites will go up and drop, then nitrates will go up.... but your reading should have told you that already!

[johnny gray]

Hi Keith,
I agree with the sentiments above. there is a lot of good advice here and on reef central