I Kind Of Want To Start A Saltwater Tank

[fatheadminnow]

I want to start a salt water tank, like 6 gallons.

What do I need to know?

RO water is readily available for me, so no worry there.

If there are any DIY things I can make such as skimmers and what not, I would love to make them over buying them.

Thanks!

-FHM

 

[fatheadminnow]

Anyone?

-FHM

 

[AdAndrews]

so do i

i'm no expert, but for beginners, you would be better off with a larger tank, JennyBugs mentioned its very hard for her to keep her tiny 20 something litre stable, and she has more experience...

 

[Hawkins]

Hi, I do not have any marine tanks, but am also interested in coverting.

From what I know, a tank smaller than 30 gallons is considered as a 'Nano' marine tank, which requires more work. The smaller the tank the harder it is to keep the conditions perfect for the fish. It has been suggested many times to people wishing to convert to have a tank larger than 30 gallons.
(My freshwater tank is 30 gallons so I am quite happy lol)

I am not sure it would be worth setting up a 6 gallon, as it is quite small, and nearly as expensive as a larger tank. You still need the same equipment.

I am also unsure if you are able to keep any marine fish in a 6 gallon tank, as it is quite small. I "THINK" most people would suggest that you keep inverts in a tank of that size.


Hopefully someone can correct me if i'm wrong!

 

[fatheadminnow]

Thanks for the responses!

I read that as well after I posted, that a larger tank is better. So, whatever the case, I guess I will wait until I get a larger tank? Its just that this guy last year had a 6 gallon salt water tank, with live rock and what not, and he never had a problem with it at all. All he had was a filter, not even a skimmer or anything... I think? lol

Anyways, I would still like some advice please on how to get started and what I should do, and yes, I have read the pinned articles!

-FHM

 

[-Nemo-]

6G will require quite a bit of work. Small tanks are very unforgiving. Depending on your stocking, you will need to definitely do weekly water changes, perhaps bi-weekly (it really all depends on a lot of different factors).

Unsure about a DYI skimmer, but I believe I saw a topic about one in the hardware section on here... or it could have been on a totally different forum, but regardless I saw one somewhere!

other than that, what do you want to do? some corals? some fish? Fish-wise, you'll only be able to do small fish, just gobies and blennies (smaller ones). And with the small ones probably just 2, perhaps 3.

 

[fatheadminnow]

6G will require quite a bit of work. Small tanks are very unforgiving. Depending on your stocking, you will need to definitely do weekly water changes, perhaps bi-weekly (it really all depends on a lot of different factors).

Unsure about a DYI skimmer, but I believe I saw a topic about one in the hardware section on here... or it could have been on a totally different forum, but regardless I saw one somewhere!

other than that, what do you want to do? some corals? some fish? Fish-wise, you'll only be able to do small fish, just gobies and blennies (smaller ones). And with the small ones probably just 2, perhaps 3.

Yes, thank you for your response!

This would be nice, a few small fish!

I just need help really on how to set everything up! I am VERY familiar with freshwater, however this is my first time posting in the SW section and I am in need of some help on getting started.

Thanks for your response!

-FHM

 

[Hawkins]

Nemo you are very useful, but I have trouble taking it all in

I think I will be asking the same questions over and over. Maybe I should start writing things down!

I made a thread about the equipment I need, and I kind of understand what I need, then you have to decide which brand to go for, and what price you are willing to pay.. its all hard work.

Good luck FHM

 

[fatheadminnow]

Thanks!

-FHM

 

[-Nemo-]

Glad I'm useful for something!!

FHM: what are the dimensions of the tank?

 

[fatheadminnow]

Glad I'm useful for something!!

FHM: what are the dimensions of the tank?

Not sure of the dimensions at the moment, but the tank looks likes this.

-FHM

 

[-Nemo-]

ohhh so you're getting a tank with everything built in already? That makes things easier...

 

[fatheadminnow]

ohhh so you're getting a tank with everything built in already? That makes things easier...

Well, if I can find one like that for a decent price, lol. If I cannot find one like that then I am going to do a 10 gallon tank and make like 1/5 of the tank the filter by putting a piece of plexi glass in.

I just need to know what should be in the filter, and do I really need a skimmer? I had a friend that did not have a skimmer in one of his small SW tanks.

-FHM

 

[-Nemo-]

Look at Oceanic Biocubes, I believe they come in 8G, 14G and 24G tank sizes. They're really nice, I'm thinking about getting the 8G one myself.

As to a regular tank: If you make a separate filtering section, you'd want to see if you could stick some very small pieces of LR in there for the biological filtering, you'll also want some kind of filter media and some carbon.

If you don't go that route, i'd suggest some sort of filter like this: http/www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4392+3641&pcatid=3641

My work has had one on a 5G and a 10G for years and never had a problem.

 

[fatheadminnow]

Great! Thanks for the info!

What temp should I keep it at?

-FHM