My Very First Sw Tank!

[ston3]

Hello everyone,

I am pleased to announce that I have just started my first sw tank. Being so, I would like to hear some advice from you guys.

I bought this tank from craigslist awhile back and just got around to setting it up. They listed it as a 30 gallon tank; however, after 25 gallons, about 10 lbs of live rock and a 1.5-2" live sand bed, there's still about 4" to the brim. The tank is about 54"x13"x48".

Out of the equipment included, the odyssa ps75 and coralife light were the only significant pieces of working equipment. Thinking it was 30 g, I figured it'd be ok for now to just skim and flow, while skipping out on other filtration. However, I think it's a little bigger than 30g so I know I should run some other filtration in addition to skimming. I am planning on building a 10g sump in April. So my question is, should I buy a canister filter for the interim or is flow and skim alright for the timebeing? I intend on buying a vortech today for flow. I'm ok with just stocking a couple fish at the moment until I can get a sump up and running. Second part, if I were to buy a canister, what kind of modifications and media do you all recommend?

Another question, the previous owner included all the supplements and test kits as well. They have been sitting in my garage for over a year; I live in Houston so it gets very hot in the summer. Do you think they're still ok to use?

Yet another question, I also got a coralife dual 65 watt light fixture. Does anybody have any good diy ideas for a mount? And I know mh are best for a tank this tall, but do you think it'd be alright to house some nice corals, given I keep them higher up?

And last question I know that pistol shrimp can blast other ocean dwellers for food. I really love the relationship of the pistol and goby. Has anyone had any experience/trouble with the pistol shrimp? I'm intending to stock other inverts as well.

I know this was long, but I really appreciate the help. The tank was cloudy yesterday so I'm planning on posting pics very soon.

Thanks again.

 

[steelhealr]

Hi....welcome

First, my question: A 30 is borderline for going nano. Would you prefer to keep this thread in marine or nano?

Second, no need for a canister filter. Powerheads and live rock should work. A sump would be a great place to put your media.

I would replace your test kits if they were sitting outside in the heat.

Pistols and gobies are great combos. Go for it.

SH

 

[ston3]

Thanks for the reply SH.

I think it's a little bigger than 30 g so this is fine.

I won't start making a sump until a month or so. Where could I store my media in the meantime? And is it neccessary for me to start running media now or can I just wait til I build my sump. I plan on just having a couple clowns and cuc until I build the sump. Is that alright? Can I add more?

Thanks

 

[-Nemo-]

IF you're having liverock, you don't need any filter media. The live rock will do the same job. I would get the sump up sooner rather than later as it will be easier IMO to set it up and move everything down there when you don't have as much yet.

 

[ston3]

Yea I plan on building my sump in April when I'm not working. I think I'm going to get my cuc soon when the water checks out.

Thanks for the reply

 

[steelhealr]

If you are going to wait on a sump, you could always get a cheap AquaClear type filter just to put your media in (eg, phosphate binder, etc.). SH

 

[ston3]

Yea I think I'm going to do that. Another question just came up. How much LR is too much? I figured out my tank is 37g. I'm getting a really good deal off craiglist, but he wants me to buy 125 lbs. Is that too much? I was thinking I could just house it all in the 37g for now while I try to sell some of it off. Is that feasible?

Thanks

 

[steelhealr]

2 lbs/gallon would put you at about 75lbs of LR. 125 would be much. Hey..you need room for fish. LOL. Why hold onto all that rock unless you are sure you know someone who wants it. Shipping is not cheap. SH

 

[ston3]

Yea that's what I was thinking. It's really cheap though. I figured I could house it for now and try to sell it locally on craiglist.

 

[ston3]

Hey, what do y'all think about LR placement? Should it be directly on the glass or a layer of sand?

 

[seffieuk]

Always directly on the glass

Seffie x

ps good idea to buy all the live rock and then sell it on, as long as of course you can store it in a vat or the like with heat and flow there is always a market for it

 

[ben1987]

Yeah pop it on the glass and add sand after, if something burries itself under the sand, it can make your rock structure unstable. A collapse could be pretty nasty. I lost a clown fish to it once.

 

[ston3]

Thanks guys and girls. I bought a bunch of rocks since I got a good deal on it ($250/125 lbs). I think I put in about 75 or so lbs. I know its good to put 1.5-2 lbs X gallon so I'm just about in that range. However, I think I got a little overzealous cause now I fear that it may be a little cluttered with rocks. There's probably only 1/8 of the bottom that is not covered by LR. There's not much of a walk way in the front, just open sand on the sides. I hate to redo it and will not unless its necessary. Do you think that's enough sand exposed or not? I want to get a sand-sifting goby and a couple hermits, but I will forgo them if that's not enough sand for it.

 

[seffieuk]

Lets see a photo, but i bet you change it, if you were Ben you would probably have changed it three times by now!!

Seffie x

 

[ston3]

1st try at uploading, hope it works. and yes seffie, this is after i already changed it =)