New Marine Tank

[FiSh123FiSh]

I no I still have not set up my new marine tank which has been sitting on its stand for almost a year now. Its like this because I am umming and ahring about what to do as it is an expensive accident if it all goes to pot. This is what I have got to so far for setting up my tank. My tank is 30g's

EQUIPMENT:

2x power heads
20kg of live rock as a filteration system
I don't want a protein skimmer because I don't like the tank to be cluttered(its a little pet hate). If I have to have one I will to benefit the inhabitants.
heater
I am still unsure of what lighting system I need but I would like corals rather than anemonies.
If there is anything eles please tell me.

INVERTIBRATES:
Corals
Blue legged hermit crabs
Clenaer shrimp

FISH:
Pair of clown fish


Sorry for the long list please leave comments on what you think, good and bad.


Regards,

Tom.

 

[GShorty1981]

Sounds cool,you can put more fish and shrimp in there to tho mate,just 2 clowns in a 30g will look pretty empty!

T5 lighting for corals,i wouldnt worry about halides as your not interested in keeping Anemones.

 

[FiSh123FiSh]

Thats great. A load off! I will be getting more fish but to start off its got to be the clowns! I am thinking about a pair of fire fish, a jaw fish. Emerald crab, cleaner shrimp x3, turbo snails, blue legged hermits. Eventually.

Do you think I need a protein skimmer?

 

[adam98150]

You can run skimmerless, but you have to do more water changes to make up for it, a water change twice on a weekly basis should do the trick

If you don't mind me asking, what kind of powerheads are you running?

 

[GShorty1981]

I have a 30g and run it skimmerless,i only do a 10% change on a sunday i just feed very sparingly,like every other day.

 

[FiSh123FiSh]

Firstly can I ask you if you have any recomondations for protein skimmers that will do 30g and quite cheap. Also lights would help a lot if you no of any good ones.

I am using Interpet PHD4 Powerheads... well hoping to use.

Tom

 

[FiSh123FiSh]

Sorry forgot to add: what lights do you think are the best option for this kind of tank. I didn't really want to have anemonies but would love some corals.
any ideas?

regards, Tom

 

[GShorty1981]

Sorry forgot to add: what lights do you think are the best option for this kind of tank. I didn't really want to have anemonies but would love some corals.
any ideas?

regards, Tom

T5 lighting for corals,i wouldnt worry about halides as your not interested in keeping Anemones.

Dunno about Skimmers as i don't use them,they are pointless in small tanks IMO.

 

[FiSh123FiSh]

So its ok just to have LR, LS and powerheads as a form of filtration?

If thats right then I am gonna be sooo glad as its saves a bit on the electrical bill! What does T5 stand for? sorry quite slow today.

Tom,

 

[GShorty1981]

Yeah i mean you dotn need LS because LR will seed the sand anyway,just use Argonite sand...i used LS myself before i had any LR which was not ideal but granted it did do its job!

T5 are the small skinny lights not sure what it stands for but your standard fluorescent bulbs are called T8s.

1 T5 is about the power of 2 fatter T8 bulbs so 2 T5s on your tank will be fine for everything.

Just make sure you have loads of flow,lights on for about ten hours a day and use RO water and a good salt miz like Tropic Marin if you want Corals.

But then i only use tap water...always have and have no problems lol although that's my discretion..i wouldn't advise it because most don't have good luck with tap water like i have had.

 

[GShorty1981]

this is my 30 gallon

As filtration i just use 20Kg of LR and 1x Nano Power head and a Air pump and a old filter for extra flow.
i have 2 T5 bulbs running.
I also have around 6Kg of dead coral and 5Kg of Base Rock in there.

I use only tap water mixed with Tropic Marin.

I use no skimmer and i change one bucket full of water once a week on a sunday.

I only do water tests once a week.

No Sump or anything else.

My Current Stock is:
Yellow Tail Blue Damsel
10 Blue Legged Hermits
2 Turbo Snails

plus from my LR i have inherited loads of Stomatella snails and tons on Zoa's.

I did have 2 Clowns but one had a fungal infection when i bought it,infected the other and both died after about 2 months so gonna get some more soon.

 

[FiSh123FiSh]

Thanks glen thats just what I needed to hear!
Do you have any live corals in there?


Tom.

 

[ben1987]

hes got some zoo's that came on his LR i know that for sure

 

[GShorty1981]

Yeh just what Ben says just my zoos/zoas that are flourishing! my set up is a nice cheap one and very simple to look after..just how i like it!

 

[FiSh123FiSh]

Cheap and chearful I go by that aswel!