Setting up 8g tank

[huliostevio]

I've just set up an 8g tank and currently has 6kg of live rock, live sand , heater , flow pump 4 turbo snails , 1 blue leg hermit crab and a red shrimp . I was wondering what coral I can put in as I eventually want 2 clown fish in . I also hear a lot about filters and skimmers and was wondering if I need one for such a small tank ! I'm new all info is helpful

 

[Smitty]

What kind of light do you have right now? That will make more of a determination of coral than anything else. You may also want to get a bit more rock to help with filtration. Not much more, just a bit.

Also, how new is the tank? Have you cycled it yet? If not please read up on that before getting any coral or fish.

 

[huliostevio]

Thankyou I'll do that just looked it up I'll get the test kit at the weekend . And as for the live rock I don't actually think I could fit anymore in . What do you think about a filter or a skimmer ?

 

[Smitty]

I filter could help to remove sediment in the tank and provide another place to grow the good bacteria, I don't think it is ever a bad idea to have a filter. I think with an 8g tank I would prob pass on the skimmer though. You will probably be better off just doing 10% or so water changes once a week instead.

 

[huliostevio]

10% every week ?

 

[Smitty]

Yes. 10 to 15% weekly should be good. Some go every 2 weeks so you could probably do that as well I just tend to over do things.

 

[0o.Kelsey.o0]

I would personally go every week in a tank that small too. An algae outbreak would suck and with two clowns i think the weekly will be needed to prevent this.

 

[huliostevio]

Do I need to have a bucket of water constantly mixing then ? To change all the time ?

 

[Smitty]

I think most do it only 24 hours before to make sure it is the right temp and mixed. They just leave a power head or something in the storage container.