Help Me

[Nix]

Ok, So I'm in school right now and we are starting our senior year projects. We have to have a product at the end, and do something we can learn with, and present it infront of a panel of judges ext.

Anyway, I am planning on doing my senior project on ecosytems, in this case a saltwater tank. I'm going to buy a 20 gallon with saltwater coral lighting for about 70 dollars from my friend.

Anyways, I've never had a saltwater tank, ever. I was wondering what kind of set up should I go for? I was thinking something simplistic, a few pieces of live rock, couple small corals and an aniemie (sp).

What equipment do I need, and suggestions?

I'm hoping for strong fish that won't die very easy, as well visually pleasing to a panel of judges for photography.

So...clownfish and blennys'? Any thoughts, ideas, suggestions, stocking, equipment, what to do and not do? Everything is welcome.

Hopefully I can keep all of you updated and keep getting assitance as i progress!

 

[Miss Wiggle]

the pinned topics should answer all your questions.... here's a good place to start

how long do you have until the end of the project? slow and steady is the key to sucess with marine tanks, so if your on a tight timescale corals won't be possible.

and anemone's are far from easy!! definate no go area i'm afraid.

 

[Ter]

an anemone need good light buddy... $$
maybe ur setn' up this tank for the wrong reasons...
Ter

 

[SkiFletch]

Agree with Miss Wiggle, nems have no place in a hastily setup tank. If you want that "look" of an anemone and you have significant enough lighting, consider torch, hammer, or frogspawn corals as they have tentacles that look just like nems in many cases. You can do a lot with a marine tank on the ecosystem, chemistry, and symbiosis category, its a great tool for school projects, TONS to learn. Also, clownfish are great hardy fish, blennies are neat too and exhibit some cool behaviors. Another good option might be smaller gobies or pseudochromis.

Last but not least, what lighting exactly does it come with as this has a huge impact on coral selection

 

[Ranger]

Ur tank is too small for any anemone over a long period of time. However, you can get various corals that look like anemone's like a torch of a frogspawns. For your tank to sustain livestock it needs to have about 1 pound of liverock per gallon.

How long do you have to complete this project?

Your tank will need about a month to cycle before you can add livestock.

With a tank your size you can get away without having a protein skimmer. On the other hand, you want corals, so will will need one in that case. Stay away from the Prizm skimmers. I use a coralife super skimmer on my 25 gal. Its reasonably priced, and is one of the best.

You'll need powerheads to circulate the water in your tank.

A heater to heat the water.

Water test kits that will test ATLEAST pH, Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates. I recommend getting an Alkalinity and Calcium test kit by Salifert as you will be keeping corals. And I can tell you I am having trouble with my corals due to water chemistry problems.


Hmm, for your stocking... You could do the two clowns(i reccomend Occellaris (False Percula)), maybe a smaller goby or blenny. Don't forget a cleanup crew (cleaner shrimp, hermit crabs, snails).

Thats all I've got for now. If I forgot anything let me know.


EDIT: Dang... you beat me to it Ski...

 

[Ter]

yeah he does that 2 mean about once a week
lol
Ter

 

[Lynden]

My advice; do not start a saltwater tank at school! I tried it before, and it resulted in disastrous failure; luckily, the only causualties were a pair of Hermit Crabs.

If you are determined, I would reccommend a non-photosynthetic tank full of long tentacled Tubeworms and Small Shrimp, and possible a Cerianthus (?) anemone and Gorgonians. Perhaps you could also culture Mysid shrimps and have them be the main food source. Hardy Starfish such as Protoreaster could also be incorporated, though they do grow large and are very predatory of sedentary organisms, including stinging Cnidarians. Best do research before even considering this project.

-Lynden

 

[Nix]

Oh sorry, I should have been more clear. I have the entire year to set up the tank (until around May), so no worries about rushing.

Also, I'm not setting it up at the school, it's going to be in my house.

My friend said the lighting is really good stuff (hes got a really nice 80 gallon reef) and i trust him, I think he said somethin about compact (or something) as being the brand..but I'm probably wrong, I don't remember.

Ok, so I was thinking a few easy corals and clownfish, plus gobies/blennys'. Anything else? (hopefully on the cheap side)

And yeah, I plan on getting some cleaners too, snails, crabs, and stuff.

 

[SkiFletch]

Compact something probably means power compact How many tubes does it have?

 

[Nix]

Compact something probably means power compact How many tubes does it have?

Yeah, thats it power compact! I do know its got more than one, because he said hes gunna have to replace a burnt out bulb, but he didnt make it clear how many were actually in there.....

Do you think now until EARLY May would be enough time to have something presentable running?

 

[n3ont3tra]

Early may of 2007 or 2008? 2008, definately. 2007, you'd best get cured live rock. If you really aren't sure, though, then DON'T do it. Tanks take lots of patience.

 

[Nix]

Wait, explain to me what cured live rock is? At the store the liverock they have is in large tubs of water, and look like they are good to go, and yes of 2007.

 

[Ranger]

Are you in highschool? Or is this for college? To most of the people here (many of whom are older and have jobs) fish tanks cost a moderate amount of money. To me (i just entered college) it costs alot. So be prepared to spend some big bucks. Don't cut corners or it will hurt you in the end.

 

[Nix]

Yes, i am in high school, and i realise its going to be a lot of money. I'm willing to put down a few hundred (maybe 3-4 even 5) for a minimal tank, maybe even one piece of live rock, and a tiny coral, plus a few fish...


I was thinking I'd have half the tank with the liverock in it, and the other half open space, save money, and hopefully more efficent.

What about mushroom corals? Too difficult? I also like the idea of frogspawn corals or something similar.

I'd assume those corals plus live rock would run about 200-ish total, plus 70 for my tank and power compact lighting, 270, and spend around 50 on fish.. and we'll say another 40 on cleaners. 50 on a filter, and 30 on a heater, and i havent a clue how much skimmers cost.


So um, can anyone explain to me what instant ocean is? Just salt right? Or does it help with the cycling?

 

[Nix]

Do you guys think I should just do a fish only tank, with live rock?