Hello!!! And so it begins. About a year from now, I will hopefully be moving into my first house. When this happens I will have room for a larger tank. If I don't get a house, I will be re-arranging my apartment to fit a larger tank. Whatever the circumstances, next summer I want to start a saltwater tank. This will be my first experience with a saltwater tank so I am starting early gathering information on what I will need. I have kept freshwater fish since I was in elementary school, I am now 22 and think I can handle a bigger saltwater tank. Tank size will be AT LEAST 55 gallons, I would probably go no larger than 75 gallons.
Lets start off with the basics, my biggest concern is the filtration/sump. I need to know everything, do they sell SUMP/Refugium setups or do you have to design your own. I'm running a 29g, and a 10g freshwater right now that can be sacrificed for the use of a sump when the time comes. Is a Refugium required and what benefits does it provide? Also would the 10g be large enough for up to a 75g tank, and have enough room for refuge, skimmer, etc.
Ok a simple question for most probably. Can someone please describe to me the whole live rock/sand thing? I just can't wrap my head around it for some odd reason. If you put a rock in a saltwater tank, will it become live rock once bacteria/whatever grow on it, or is live rock something completely different, same thing with the sand.
I WANT CORALS!!! Yes I refuse to do a saltwater tank without corals, unless for some reason other circumstances regarding a certain stock fish I want will not co-exist with them. Lighting is key I understand, so what kind of light will be necessary, and what kind of price on lights alone are we talking about.
Protein Skimmer, Power Head/Wave maker. K so protein skimmer goes in the sump and gets bad stuff from bubbles etc. Power Head/Wave maker is essential to keep good currents and flow of water in the system otherwise problems can occur. If someone could just elaborate on these two a little more.
Overflow box is basically the intake to the sump? Is that right or what? So basically it acts as a safety measure and your intake to the sump. Surely I'm missing some vital part to the aquarium system, please tell me if I did.
STOCK!!! I couldn't do a saltwater without a pair of adorable clowns. Would also like to keep a Blue Tang, I've heard mixed suggestions on must have at least 55g for swimming room up to must have at least 125g. What's the final verdict on the BT. I also love the Yellow Tang and his little snout. My girlfriend is in love with some fish at the LFS I will have to get names on the ones she likes to confirm co-existability and how much the tank size can handle. The Flame Angel is beautiful also!! I will get more fish names as time goes on. I want to hear a bunch of suggestions on stocking! The only thing is I really want that pair of clowns and a BT, so anything that will work with them feel free to post! We will start off with what I know and add as we go.
STOCKING LIST
2 x Clown Fish (Not decided on what type, probably the bright orange one whichever that is.)
1 X Blue Tang (If tank size permits)
1 X Yellow Tang (If requirements met)
1 X Flame Angel (If requirements met)
* X What is the shrimp that cleans off the fish?
* X Hermit crabs (Will they work?!)
* X (Your suggestions here! Everyone pitch in)
Can't wait to get some responses! I have my pen and paper ready to start writing down info on everything I will need. Thanks ahead of time!
Lets start off with the basics, my biggest concern is the filtration/sump. I need to know everything, do they sell SUMP/Refugium setups or do you have to design your own. I'm running a 29g, and a 10g freshwater right now that can be sacrificed for the use of a sump when the time comes. Is a Refugium required and what benefits does it provide? Also would the 10g be large enough for up to a 75g tank, and have enough room for refuge, skimmer, etc.
Ok a simple question for most probably. Can someone please describe to me the whole live rock/sand thing? I just can't wrap my head around it for some odd reason. If you put a rock in a saltwater tank, will it become live rock once bacteria/whatever grow on it, or is live rock something completely different, same thing with the sand.
I WANT CORALS!!! Yes I refuse to do a saltwater tank without corals, unless for some reason other circumstances regarding a certain stock fish I want will not co-exist with them. Lighting is key I understand, so what kind of light will be necessary, and what kind of price on lights alone are we talking about.
Protein Skimmer, Power Head/Wave maker. K so protein skimmer goes in the sump and gets bad stuff from bubbles etc. Power Head/Wave maker is essential to keep good currents and flow of water in the system otherwise problems can occur. If someone could just elaborate on these two a little more.
Overflow box is basically the intake to the sump? Is that right or what? So basically it acts as a safety measure and your intake to the sump. Surely I'm missing some vital part to the aquarium system, please tell me if I did.
STOCK!!! I couldn't do a saltwater without a pair of adorable clowns. Would also like to keep a Blue Tang, I've heard mixed suggestions on must have at least 55g for swimming room up to must have at least 125g. What's the final verdict on the BT. I also love the Yellow Tang and his little snout. My girlfriend is in love with some fish at the LFS I will have to get names on the ones she likes to confirm co-existability and how much the tank size can handle. The Flame Angel is beautiful also!! I will get more fish names as time goes on. I want to hear a bunch of suggestions on stocking! The only thing is I really want that pair of clowns and a BT, so anything that will work with them feel free to post! We will start off with what I know and add as we go.
STOCKING LIST
2 x Clown Fish (Not decided on what type, probably the bright orange one whichever that is.)
1 X Blue Tang (If tank size permits)
1 X Yellow Tang (If requirements met)
1 X Flame Angel (If requirements met)
* X What is the shrimp that cleans off the fish?
* X Hermit crabs (Will they work?!)
* X (Your suggestions here! Everyone pitch in)
Can't wait to get some responses! I have my pen and paper ready to start writing down info on everything I will need. Thanks ahead of time!