Tropical Fish Keeping banner

Thinking about setting up first saltwater tank

4K views 25 replies 3 participants last post by  BarbH 
#1 ·
I have been interested in doing saltwater for quite awhile now, and reading through the posts here have decided that doing a small saltwater tank would be managable. I want to keep it with something simple and not get involved with setting up a sump especially since this would be my first time with saltwater. After looking at the type of fish that I would be interested in keeping, I have decided that I would go with a 29 gallon fowlr. Here are the things that I have decided that I would need for the tank, let me know if I have missed anything.

Supply list
29 gallon tank with glass canopy and t5 fluorescent dual fixture
submersiable heater 150w thinking of aqueon proheater have one in my 50gal fresh which I like
2 koralia evolution pump 550
refractometer or hydrometer I have seen that a refractometer is recommended over hydrometer what is the benifit of the refractometer over the hydrometer?
40 lbs of aragonite sand
5 lbs of live rock 50 lbs of dry rock, know will probably have extra rock
saltmix, is there any brands that are better than others?
test kit
will eventually add a protien skimmer when have extra $$$ but would like to be able to start on stocking before have read that with a tank this size that weekly waterchanges of 10% would be okay.

Here is a tentative thought on stocking
Jawfish Yellowhead
Court Jester Goby
Tailspot Blenny
Royal Gramma
Coral Beauty Angelfish
and possibly if would work Yellow banded possum wrasse
some snails and maybe some shrimp, would still need to figure out the clean up crew

Any major issues that anyone sees? It is very possible that stocking ideas will change, will be seeing what is also available locally, which is limited. The above stocking would be based on ordering online. This will probably take me at least 6 months or more to gather everything and to be able to setup. Thanks for your input.
 
See less See more
#2 ·
I have been interested in doing saltwater for quite awhile now, and reading through the posts here have decided that doing a small saltwater tank would be managable. I want to keep it with something simple and not get involved with setting up a sump especially since this would be my first time with saltwater. After looking at the type of fish that I would be interested in keeping, I have decided that I would go with a 29 gallon fowlr. Here are the things that I have decided that I would need for the tank, let me know if I have missed anything.

Supply list
29 gallon tank with glass canopy and t5 fluorescent dual fixture
Glass canopy will retain heat, not advisable unless you plan on keeping jumpers
submersiable heater 150w thinking of aqueon proheater have one in my 50gal fresh which I like
:thumbsup:
2 koralia evolution pump 550
Might be a HUGE flow in that tank. 20x turnover is bottom line for a reef tank and it goes up form there. 10x turnover for a fish only. 1100 for a 29 gallon, might be a bit much.
refractometer or hydrometer I have seen that a refractometer is recommended over hydrometer what is the benifit of the refractometer over the hydrometer?
Hydrometer you stick in the tank and it fill it with water, refractometer measures alot more acurately.
40 lbs of aragonite sand
:thumbsup:
5 lbs of live rock 50 lbs of dry rock, know will probably have extra rock
:thumbsup:
saltmix, is there any brands that are better than others?
Instant Ocean, Reef Crystals are very good.
test kit
Reef Masters
will eventually add a protien skimmer when have extra $$$ but would like to be able to start on stocking before have read that with a tank this size that weekly waterchanges of 10% would be okay.
:thumbsup:

Here is a tentative thought on stocking
Jawfish Yellowhead
Court Jester Goby
Tailspot Blenny
Royal Gramma
Coral Beauty Angelfish
and possibly if would work Yellow banded possum wrasse
some snails and maybe some shrimp, would still need to figure out the clean up crew
:thumbsup:

Any major issues that anyone sees? It is very possible that stocking ideas will change, will be seeing what is also available locally, which is limited. The above stocking would be based on ordering online. This will probably take me at least 6 months or more to gather everything and to be able to setup. Thanks for your input.
Looks as if you've thought it out pretty good.
 
#3 ·
Thanks reefing :-D Would koralia nano 240 work, 2 one on each side of the tank? Here is a link to where I am looking at Water Pumps & Wavemakers: Hydor Koralia Nano 240 & 425 From looking through the tentative stocking list the yellow banded possum wrasse is listed as a jumper. If I was not to do this fish than I think the others would be fine for not jumping. Would have to refigure how I would do the lights. At this time I am planning on using a metal stand, unless I can find a good deal on a wood stand that I like.

For my rock and sand thinking about getting it from macro rock, prices look good. Any other places online that anyone would suggest?

Also for stocking looking at liveaquaria.com for getting stock unless I can find a local place for what I would like. Is there any other places online that anyone would suggest?

Thanks :-D
Barb
 
#6 ·
Thanks reefing :-D Would koralia nano 240 work, 2 one on each side of the tank? Here is a link to where I am looking at Water Pumps & Wavemakers: Hydor Koralia Nano 240 & 425 From looking through the tentative stocking list the yellow banded possum wrasse is listed as a jumper. If I was not to do this fish than I think the others would be fine for not jumping. Would have to refigure how I would do the lights. At this time I am planning on using a metal stand, unless I can find a good deal on a wood stand that I like.

For my rock and sand thinking about getting it from macro rock, prices look good. Any other places online that anyone would suggest?

Also for stocking looking at liveaquaria.com for getting stock unless I can find a local place for what I would like. Is there any other places online that anyone would suggest?

Thanks :-D
Barb
For a FOWLR your 2- 240's would be fine. 600gph for a reef minimum, and up from there for your tank.
Macro Rocks are a great deal.
www.saltwaterfish.com
 
#5 ·
If I did not do the yellow banded possum wrasse, I think with the rest of my stock selection I would be fine with out having a lid. Did some more research on lighting ideas and thinking about Nova Extreme T5HO dual fixture.

How often would I need to change the tubes with a fowlr?
Change them when they go bad. No need to keep up on the output of lights with just a FOWLR.
 
#8 ·
marco rock is the best. the quality of it is hard to match.

your jawfish and possibly royal gramma will jump. building a small canopy would help for this. check ebay for salinity refractometers.

your going to also need a source for RO/DI water. i personally like air,water,ice but if youll be making it from home theres plenty of options.
 
#9 ·
marco rock is the best. the quality of it is hard to match.

your jawfish and possibly royal gramma will jump. building a small canopy would help for this. check ebay for salinity refractometers.

your going to also need a source for RO/DI water. i personally like air,water,ice but if youll be making it from home theres plenty of options.
Thanks 1fish2fish will start researching some ideas of building a canopy, will need to be something that is simple enough to make and can sit on top of the tank if I use the stand that I am thinking of. My DIY skills are limited. Along with that have limited access to tools and room for putting something together.

For my RO/DI water was planning on purchasing it, at least to start off with. Could you please explain air, water, ice? New to the salt side of things, have a book coming hopefully this week to help with learning more. Found a book by Michael Paletta The New Marine Aquarium, from what I have seen looks like it should be a good reference.
 
#14 ·
Just a quick question looking at some different protein skimmers and came across this one aquatic life internal mini protein skimmer. I was wondering if any one has had any experience or opinions about this skimmer. Had found a thread on another reefing site while researching when this first came out and seemed it was working well for people. The price seems to be really good especially if it is a good skimmer.

Thanks
Barb
 
#15 ·
Another qucik question, was looking at prices on tanks today at a couple of places and was wondering if with the fish and setup that I am looking at doing would a 30 gallon tank be better for setting up instead of a 29 gallon? With the 30 gallon I would lose an inch on the width and 2 inches on the height but gain 6 inches on length. For the gallon difference would it be better to go with the 30 gal and add the additional length to the tank?
 
#17 ·
Another qucik question, was looking at prices on tanks today at a couple of places and was wondering if with the fish and setup that I am looking at doing would a 30 gallon tank be better for setting up instead of a 29 gallon? With the 30 gallon I would lose an inch on the width and 2 inches on the height but gain 6 inches on length. For the gallon difference would it be better to go with the 30 gal and add the additional length to the tank?
Most of the fish that I've dealt with swim back and forth and not up and down. Thats one reason why my tank is 8' long and not that tall. You have more room for them to hide out in the aquascaping. I'd go with the longer one.:-D
 
#19 ·
:lol: That's okay, I do fairly well on confusing myself :lol: More options and decisions to make. I do like the idea of having an additional 6 inches of length to work with and to give the fish room for swimming, thinking of especially the coral beauty and the wrasse. Just trying to decide how big of a difference the 2 inches less in height would make especially when setting up my rock. It is a good thing that I am not planning on having this set up any time real soon.
 
#21 ·
On the lighting, since I am going to be doing a fowlr tank I was thinking about instead of doing the t5 of doing LEDs instead. From my understanding LEDs use less energy and produce less heat. I also like the idea of the lunar light option, which I have heard of people using the lunars when the lights first come on and before they go off to help give a more gradual change in the lighting. Any negatives of using LEDs that I should know of? Here are a couple of links a some of the fixtures that I am looking at, although will continue to look around more to see what is available.
Aquarium Lighting & LED Lights: Marineland LED Double Bright Lighting System
Aquarium Lighting & LED Lights: Marineland Single Bright LED Lighting System
 
#22 ·
On the lighting, since I am going to be doing a fowlr tank I was thinking about instead of doing the t5 of doing LEDs instead. From my understanding LEDs use less energy and produce less heat. I also like the idea of the lunar light option, which I have heard of people using the lunars when the lights first come on and before they go off to help give a more gradual change in the lighting. Any negatives of using LEDs that I should know of? Here are a couple of links a some of the fixtures that I am looking at, although will continue to look around more to see what is available.
Aquarium Lighting & LED Lights: Marineland LED Double Bright Lighting System
Aquarium Lighting & LED Lights: Marineland Single Bright LED Lighting System
LED is the top of the lighting chain right now. You can't go wrong with those. In a FOWLR, either would do ya. Double bright LED and you could easily keep some LPS and Softies.:-D
 
#25 ·
Doing more searching came across another skimmer that I am thinking about, reviews that I have seen seem to be good on it. Was wondering if anyone has had any experience about this skimmer or heard anything about it Hydro Koralia Nano-Skim Internal Protein Skimmer.
Good skimmer. One of the best out there for Nano. Also:
TUNZE GmbH High-Tech Aquarium Technology: Catalog[predid]=-infoxunter050
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top