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first salt tank/reef start HELP???

2K views 3 replies 2 participants last post by  Pasfur 
#1 ·
i have a 10 gal hob filter 1 pwr head and like 13lbs of live rock 20lbs of sand. i had cycled the tank for idk at least 4 weeks ne ways and after like 2 weeks i think added a molly and hermit crab to help cycle and they've done fine. yesterday i bought a per.clown and an anemone i think the anemone is a condy. . its all purple and my hubby thought it was awsome and bought it on a whim. i had fed it a bit of dry tubiflex worms thinking it was a good source of protien? idk though? ne ways today it has a long yuckie string of what looks like part of the worms i fed him yesterday. and now hes all closed up? we have a reg light on the tank but thought he would be fine until fri when we get the better bulb? and idk what kind of bulb i need to buy? i was origionaly just going FOWLR but my huby and i are facinated with the anemones and corals! so i think well try to go more reef! were going to get a protien skimmer too. . but what should we buy??? i need a HOB skimmer i think because of the little room in my tank? i have a home made on that works somewhat but not well enough. and of course my heater that i didnt mention. please help??
 
#2 ·
You have jumped into the marine hobby without taking the time to properly research and commit yourself to being successful. That is the bad news. The good news is that you have taken a big step towards success by posting on this forum and asking for help.

There is way to much to discuss in response to your thread. The best advice I can give you is to spend a couple of weeks doing research and then begin to post and ask questions. I recommend that you visit the "Pictures and Videos" area of this website and read about the successful aquariums of experienced marine hobbyists. This will give you the standard for what it takes to be successful.

Honestly, not being a jerk, you have not done anything correct at this point. Everything from your tank setup to livestock selection is a recipe for disaster. You need to start over, using this 10 gallon as a Quarantine tank, purchase a larger aquarium, and do the correct research ahead of time before taking the leap into marine aquarium keeping.
 
#3 ·
i did research some and know that a small tank is hard and i cant have really more than one fish in it. but i see many nano reefs out thier and they do fine even the little bitty ones like 2.5 gal and stuff. i dont understand why everything ive done is wrong because everlything ive done was planned and researched except the fact that i have decided to go reef and add some corals and lighting to the tank? i dont want a big salt tank and think as long as i have good filtration and keep up with my tank i should be fine?
 
#4 ·
I disagree completely. Keeping a mini reef is a very advanced challenge in this hobby. A certain level of experience is necessary to visibly recognize problems and be proactive. A beginner is not proactive. A beginner is responsive. You can't respond to problems in a mini reef, and there is no level of reading or research that will provide you with the practical hands on experience you need to enjoy long term success with a 10 gallon reef.

You need a larger tank, at a minimum of 29 gallons, to give yourself a reasonable chance of success with your first aquarium being a reef system. For a 10 gallon aquarium, you need to stick with fish only, a single species, and perhaps a few crabs or snails.
 
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