How To Start

[Human-Fish Hybrid]

Well, i have recently decided that i am very interested in beginning a mini reed aquariam. A local pet shop near my home sells 33 gallon aquariams for just within my price range, and i would like to know what equipment will i need? do i need special lighting, filtration or chemicals? i dont have the tank yet, but i just want to know how much more complicated things are compared to freshwater. I would like to stock with percula clowns and scissortail gobies, how many could i have?



Would like some help and suggestions

 

[SkiFletch]

In a 33, probably 2 percs and 2-4 scissortail gobies. You'll need 30-50lbs of LR either way you look at it. If you want fish only, no need for expensive lighting. If you want corals you'll need 600+gph worth of powerheads, and good lighting. A sump would be a good idea either way.

What are teh dimensions of the 33gal?

 

[Human-Fish Hybrid]

im not sure on the exact measurements, but it is rectangular

i was also planning on putting turbo snails in there because i here that they clean the water, is that a good idea?

LR is expensive, is there any kind of alternative?

 

[andywg]

There are two basic alternatives to live rock.

1) filter as you do in FW and perform a strict regime of 1or 2 10-25% water changes per week. Watch how the cost of salt passes that of the live rock in about a year.

2) Create your own live rock. This makes the set-up process much longer (think a minimum of 3-6 months to get the rock cured and cycled).

 

[Mr Miagi]

i was also planning on putting turbo snails in there because i here that they clean the water, is that a good idea?

LR is expensive, is there any kind of alternative?

Andy said everything that needed to be said about your LR question, but as for the Turbos, they clean the tank glass and rock, not the water as such. You can have hermits and several different types of snails to help keep algae and detritus to a minimum.

These go in later after youve got some algae growth first off though.

 

[Human-Fish Hybrid]

it all sounds good, but how do i go about making my own LR? and i would usually do a 15% a week anywways, i was thinking that might be too much because my freshwaters dont like it

 

[SkiFletch]

Its actually pretty easy. Go to garf.org, navigate to the "How to Pages" then select Aragocrete. You basically mix up 5 parts aragonite sand with 1 part cement, let it dry and harden, then "cure" it in water (toilet cisterns work great) for a month till the pH settles, put it all in your tank, andd a couple pieces of small LR and stock SLOWLY.

 

[andywg]

Crushed oyster shell is better than sand. The rock will be a litlle weaker, but more porous, thus increasing the capablity of supporting bacteria to convert nitrate to nitrogen. If you want large branching pieces, then sand is better, but as with Tongan Live Rock, what you gain in looks, you tend to lose in function.

Some say to add rock salt to cause pockets to appear, but this is not necessary and if anything the presence of the salt at the curing phase will weaken the cement.

 

[Human-Fish Hybrid]

sounds good, thanks everyone