Hello everyone, I'm trying to get into the Saltwater setup and doing my homework and research, but I'd like to get the ball rolling before Christmas (I know it'll take several weeks to a month before I can put fish in, and even when I do I need to do it slowly, I just want to get it started before Christmas) so if you guys could tell me what I need based on what I have that would be great!
I previously had turtles plus a feeder tank plus a freshwater tank, so I have:
- 75 gallon tank with heavy duty stand
- 4 filters: Fluval 404 (up to 100 gallons), Eheim 2217 (up to 160 gallons), XP1 (Up to 45 gallons), XP2 (up to 75 gallons).
- no lighting or lid
I'd like to have a setup with some decent saltwater fish, colourful, fancy, but I haven't decided exactly what yet. Honestly I don't even know what changes need to be made to the setup depending on what fish I want to get.
What I'm mainly concerned about is price.
The guys at the local pet store told me I'd need a $450 protein skimmer (Aqua Medic Turboflotor Multi Hang-On With Pump) , 80 lbs of crushed coral ($66), 75 lbs of live rock ($750), plus $100 for the light and $50 for the glass top, then a hygrometer and about $80 in new filter media. $1500 is way above my budget before I even get to stick any fish in there.
So what I'm wondering is this:
- Since I have way more than enough filtration already what benefit will adding live rock have? Can I still have some nice fish without any, or without a lot of live rock? If I do require some how much will I actually need?
- Can I just add a skimmer attachment to one of my filters instead of buying a new protein skimmer?
- If I need a skimmer can I get away with a much cheaper one, like a Red Sea Prizm Deluxe Hang-On Skimmer for $170 instead?
- What is the purpose of the crushed coral?
I am continuing to do my own research but I figured that this would quickly answer my questions so I can figure out if this is even feasible, and if it is to get the process started before Christmas.
Thanks a lot for your help!
I previously had turtles plus a feeder tank plus a freshwater tank, so I have:
- 75 gallon tank with heavy duty stand
- 4 filters: Fluval 404 (up to 100 gallons), Eheim 2217 (up to 160 gallons), XP1 (Up to 45 gallons), XP2 (up to 75 gallons).
- no lighting or lid
I'd like to have a setup with some decent saltwater fish, colourful, fancy, but I haven't decided exactly what yet. Honestly I don't even know what changes need to be made to the setup depending on what fish I want to get.
What I'm mainly concerned about is price.
The guys at the local pet store told me I'd need a $450 protein skimmer (Aqua Medic Turboflotor Multi Hang-On With Pump) , 80 lbs of crushed coral ($66), 75 lbs of live rock ($750), plus $100 for the light and $50 for the glass top, then a hygrometer and about $80 in new filter media. $1500 is way above my budget before I even get to stick any fish in there.
So what I'm wondering is this:
- Since I have way more than enough filtration already what benefit will adding live rock have? Can I still have some nice fish without any, or without a lot of live rock? If I do require some how much will I actually need?
- Can I just add a skimmer attachment to one of my filters instead of buying a new protein skimmer?
- If I need a skimmer can I get away with a much cheaper one, like a Red Sea Prizm Deluxe Hang-On Skimmer for $170 instead?
- What is the purpose of the crushed coral?
I am continuing to do my own research but I figured that this would quickly answer my questions so I can figure out if this is even feasible, and if it is to get the process started before Christmas.
Thanks a lot for your help!