40 Gallon Starter

[tenxiong]

Well I've been doing a lot of reading and I still have question about starting a salt-water tank. Well first off, let me say this, I'm just starting to get into salt-water and would like to start off something simple with just salt-water. (no reef or live rocks)

Here are my questions
I heard that Marine fish require constant lighting, (like 24-7) is that true?
I also heard that you may or may not need a Protein Skimmer, all I know is that it removes the protein out of your water.
Would I need it for this kind of situation?
Also, how does it help Marine fish compard to Fresh Water?
Would I need a Reverse Osmosis? (Isn't this just a water filter? if so, I already have the best)
Would you really need 2 heaters (why do you need one for mixing salt? how does that work?) reference


Well here's a picture of my 40 gallon right now, (I have it set up to go eaither way with FW or SW)

(More Pictures)

If I decide to go with SW (I'll probably buy more rocks and lose the green plants), would a power head and a protein skimmer is all I need?

I already have a Hydrometer and Marine salt.

Well thanks for reading.

 

[superman]

Reading the threads at the top of this forum will give you most of the answers, so I will keep my answers short and sweet.

NO marine fish do not want 24/7 lighting, they have the same light requirements as freshwater fish.
Skimmers are one of the best ways of exporting crap out of the water. The reason that we don't use them in freshwater tanks is that since the specific gravity is so much lower in freshwater (lack of salt) that you can't get small enough bubble sizes in order to effectively skim like you can in saltwater that has salt and has a higher specific gravity.
Reverse osmosis is a HUGE advantage in any type of saltwater set up.
You need to heat your saltwater when mixing so that when you do a water change you don't shock the fish by putting in cold water, you should already be heating your water change water for freshwater fish, so this is no different from freshwater. Another reason to heat your water change water is because you are using a hydrometer, which is VERY dependant upon water temperature in order to be accurate. In order to get an accurate reading from your hydrometer you will have to have your water change water the EXACT same temperature as your water already in your tank before you can accurately match the water change water to the tank's water using the hydrometer to measure. The use of a refractometer is not temperature dependant and is much more accurate in testing specific gravity (salinity)
If you want to start up the tank with the possibility of moving on to a reef set up with corals and such, you will proabably want an aragonite based sandbed instead of gravel. Fine aragonite sandbeds are what most people go with when using a sandbed in marine aquariums, it helps buffer the water to the correct PH (8.2-8.4)

Do more research.

 

[Navarre]

Superman has just about coevered all the bases there.
I agree with all he has said, lighting is the same for freshwater and reef fish.. (there is a night time in the oceans too ). A tank "Can" operate without a skimmer.. I used to operate one and it was very successful but the addition of a good skimmer makes a whole difference to teh water quality and i recomend the use of one now for everyone.
RO water.. yes extremly important. Its not just a filter, it removes everything.. water purifiers and filters do a good job and you might have the best youcan get be reverse osmosis ir a whole new ballgame. This removes everything. (well about 99.99% of all trace eliments and unwanted products). Water filters are designed to take out very few particles when compared to RO Units. Basically an RO unit is as close as you can get to 100% pure water.

Lastly... I see you have not mentioned liverock. Its a highly important tool for marine tanks as its the best filter you can buy and also aquascapes the tank. Canister filters will work but they cant work as effectively as liverock. WIthout liverock you will get nitrates rising (not good for marines). Mechanical filters can only produce nitreates and go no further. Liverock however can break down nitrates and convert them to nitrogen which is completely harmless in a marine system.

In a 30g tank you will need roughly 15kg or 30lbs

 

[maestro]

I wouldnt start a marine tank without liverock, it really is an essential imo, specially if your not going to have a skimmer.

You maybe be able to cut one or 2 corners but you cant have a marine tank without a skimmer, without liverock and without ro water, these are 3 basic essentials really, you can possibly skip the skimmer and just have a couple of fish and do a water change everyweek.


I echo the above, it doesnt sound quite like your ready just yet, maybe stick with freshwater for a while why you read up and get everything really researched.

 

[tenxiong]

Thanks Superman and Navarre for the helpful tips. And also about the water filter, well mine has a built-in microchip that eliminates micro-organisms using ultraviolet rays (very proud of it... I drink a lot of water)... I'm sure if it's as good or better than the RO. Well anyways, Thanks for all the help, I'll just do some more research about live rocks and such...
BTW, I am planing to get a power head and a protein skimmer.

Thanks all

 

[Aquascaper]

The UV filter in your water purifier won't remove heavy metals and other chemicals, only micro-organisms. Its these heavy metals and other chemicals that cause the problems in the marine environment, not the micro-organisms as the majority of feshwater micro-organisms cannot survive in saltwater anyway and therefore die in the tank.
The use of RO water is a must in a marine aquarium, whether you buy it or make your own is up to you.

 

[RoyalGrammaPrincessHannah]

Just one more thing about live rock. It pretty much makes your tank feel like the ocean to your fish. Otherwise, its just salty water, and it's a lot more than that. It is essential.