First dive into the salty side!

[Goldfish loach boy]

Ok, so I am probably going to take my first plunge into the salty side! For years
(5) I have been keeping freshwater tanks, and I want to plunge Into the salty side before I go to college
I plan on making a 29 gallon
Sorry, but I am not very acknowledged in saltwater whatsoever, so please, take it easy!
This is what I would like to stock it with
2 clownfish
1 banggai cardinal fish
1 fire fish
1 goby
2-3 cleaner shrimp
Some hermit crabs
Some snails
Is that too much?( sorry, I don't know)
And I also have some questions
How do I even start it?!
What substrate?
What machines?(filter, heater, other things?)
what lighting?
I want to make it a reef
And how much does the lighting cost?
Sorry for all the questions
Thanks!

 

[All_fish]

For lighting I would go with LEDs. Reef breeder brand are fairly cheap compared to others. Or if you have a huge budget, the ecotech marine radions are for you. Substrate it would be aragonite based. Check out bulk reef supply for that. Filter wise would you want a sump?? If not, an aqua clear is good, use the sponge and buy chemi pure.

 

[Goldfish loach boy]

I really don't have a huge bucket
Will that light be good enough to grow easy corals?

 

[All_fish]

Also you would want live rock which is at most lfs. It's usually 4-5$ a lb. you would want 25-35 lbs.

 

[All_fish]

Yes the reef breeders value fixture or photon will grow almost all. Others will help with their recommendations. I think some use marine land. Also check out drs. Foster and smith for lights too.

 

[erichm20]

I think you could do that stock you listed.

You will want an aragonite based sand, 20-30 lbs.

What equipment do you currently have?

For reef lighting I recommend led. you can get one panel for $130 and grow any coral you want.

 

[erichm20]

Lol just saw all fish posts. The reef breeders are the ones on eBay I mentioned. They're dim able as well which is nice.

 

[Goldfish loach boy]

Ok so stock, sounds great
Now this is what I think I need
Tank of course
That coral light for $135( yikes!)
Aragonite based substrate,- 30 pounds
Now here are some questions
Can I use a freshwater heater?
And a freshwater HOB filter?
What's a protein skimmer, do I need one?
What about live rock?

 

[All_fish]

I would say no protein skimmer but it is always a plus. Lr is at your lfs and u would need 30 lbs. yes on heater. Yes on filter just get new media. I posted earlier about media.

 

[Goldfish loach boy]

Ok, so 30 gallon filter, 30 pounds of live rock, gotcha
Thanks for the help! I will come up with a list of what I have and will post it!
There is a LFS that looks pretty reliable, I will ask them for prices and such
Thanks!
Also, how do I make the water salty, I don't suppose I get my table salt and add it to the water
And how do I know how much to add?

 

[All_fish]

No problem. Looking forward to seeing this tank up and running.

 

[Goldfish loach boy]

Thanks!

 

[Goldfish loach boy]

This is what I have for now
29 gallon tank/ hood combo
Live sand-30 pounds
Live rock-30 pounds
30 gallon HOB filter
Heater
Coral light

 

[bribo12]

You need to use ro/di water as well. You can usually buy it at your lfs or get a unit and make your own (cost effective). You can also use base rock over live rock, which is much cheaper. You'll still want a little live rock to seed the tank. You will also need powerheads. Koralias are great and fairly cheap

 

[Goldfish loach boy]

Ok so, I would rather make my water if it is more cost efficient
And how do I hook up a power head

 

[All_fish]

They are magnets. One side is on the inside, one on the outside of the glass.

 

[Goldfish loach boy]

Ohhhhh ok, sounds good
What is the cost of such power heads?

 

[All_fish]

I think mine was 35-40.

 

[Goldfish loach boy]

Oh Jesus Christ, ok
So do you guys think that without the fish, I will make it with $300 bucks?

 

[All_fish]

Sorry. The korelias are 25.