Looking At My Options

[ocmsolidsnake]

Hi. I currently have a 25 us gallon eclipse 2 system set up with fresh water. I have an oscar in there who I have had for a few months. I would like to set up a saltwater tank. There is a chance i could get a 50 gallon long with sump from a freind who isnt using it anymore. I dont know where i could put a tank that size in my house though. I currently have about 350 dollars to spend in order to set up the tank. My question is what is the best way I should go about setting up a sw tank? If I wanted to go sw on my 25 gallon eclipse what kind of equipment and costs would I be looking at? i know Ill probably need to get a skimmer powerhead, not sure the gph on my eclipse hood, so Ill probably need a decent powerhead. If I use the eclipse should i still use the carbon and biowheel? Would it be better for me to go with the 50 gallon if I can find a way to fit it somewhere? Would I be looking at alot more expenses? Well any other advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[SkiFletch]

For a 50g you'd be looking at significantly higher expenses, I'd try and stick to the 25. You'll need about 25lbs of LR which will be most of your expense. A powerhead or two, some aragonite sand, water, salt, and fish to start. Little things like test kits and food will also add up quickly so be prepared. Have a look through people's nano journals for an idea of what you might want to do with yours

 

[ocmsolidsnake]

If instead of using live rock I bought regular dry drock and use live sand would the live sand seed the rock?

 

[SkiFletch]

Sadly the only things you'd get on the rock would be bacteria that process ammonia, and nitrite. You'd be missing bacteria that reduce Nitrates, bristleworms, copepods, isopods, amphipods, brittlestarfish, calerous algae, sponges, tube worms, and hundreds of other tiny organisms that live rock carries. Live sand has very few if any of those organisms in it. If it was that easy and cheap, everybody would be doing it

 

[ocmsolidsnake]

So I have come to a decision, I will be getting the 50g tank which will come with a hood filter stand and sump that my firend wont be using again. Now I would be very grateful for any opinions as to what additional pumps/powerheads/heaters ect I will need to buy for a f0/fowlr tank. What kinds of fish do you think I will be limited to with this system. Any suggestions for what I will need to buy tomorrow will be greatly appreciated

 

[SkiFletch]

2-300 watt heater, 20lbs aragonite sand, at least one seio m620 powerhead. if you want to keep corals in the future you'll need a second powerhead. Test kits, hydrometer/refractometer, salt, and for a 50g you'll probably want to buy your own RO unit, prefferably used since carting enough water for a 50g from an LFS gets old quick