Newbi To Marine!

[garybuk]

Ok 1st like to say SORRY ! you have probley read questions like this 10000s of times! but we all have to start someware

Iv read long and narrow tanks are better but iv been looking at a slighty tallish one? whats so bad about haveing a tallish one?

Salt : how much am i looking to use to start my tank off its 65L ( if i get that one) and how much after its started what messurment will i be wanting to get one a HYDROMETER isit???

I read it needs alot of movement! will somethink like a Tida Wave Maker be any good?

Larstley what sort filterying would i use i have an extnal filter what media shud i use???

Thanks for your time and also again sorry for my spelling mistakes! and sorry if the questions are stuiped!

 

[Revision17]

Is this going to be a FO (fish only), FOWLR (fish only with live rock), or a reef (live rock and coral) tank?

Ok 1st like to say SORRY ! you have probley read questions like this 10000s of times! but we all have to start someware

Yep

Iv read long and narrow tanks are better but iv been looking at a slighty tallish one? whats so bad about haveing a tallish one?

Longer ones give fish more room to swim, and they're usually easier to aquascape. If you HAVE to only get a certain size tank, you should probably get the longer variety... however the tank you get really depends on the location/stand you put it on. A taller tank may be your best option if you've already purchased a stand. So really, it depends.

Salt : how much am i looking to use to start my tank off its 65L ( if i get that one) and how much after its started what messurment will i be wanting to get one a HYDROMETER isit???

The measurements on the bucket of marine salt are usually pretty accurate. Buying a hydrometer or refractometer is recommended for measuring that it is actually correct, and for top offs (I'd really recommend spending the extra money on a refractometer as they're so much nicer and not too much more expensive these days).

I read it needs alot of movement! will somethink like a Tida Wave Maker be any good?

Wave makers are optional. First just try to make sure you have enough power heads to get flow through to everywhere in the tank. 10Xs your tank volume per hour is the generally accepted minimum. 20-25X on a smaller tank isn't bad.

Larstley what sort filterying would i use i have an extnal filter what media shud i use???

If you're buying live rock, the live rock will be your filter.

Thanks for your time and also again sorry for my spelling mistakes! and sorry if the questions are stuiped!

The only stupid question is the one not asked and ends up killing all your fish/inverts

Additionally, I would HIGHLY recommend buying an RO unit. Really. I shrugged it off as an unnecessary expense when I started my 10G nano reef. I eventually gave into peer pressure and got one. My nuisance alge problems then disappeared within a week or two. In the USA you can find cheap ones on ebay... probably the same for UKers.

 

[garybuk]

Is this going to be a FO (fish only), FOWLR (fish only with live rock), or a reef (live rock and coral) tank?

Ok 1st like to say SORRY ! you have probley read questions like this 10000s of times! but we all have to start someware

Yep

Iv read long and narrow tanks are better but iv been looking at a slighty tallish one? whats so bad about haveing a tallish one?

Longer ones give fish more room to swim, and they're usually easier to aquascape. If you HAVE to only get a certain size tank, you should probably get the longer variety... however the tank you get really depends on the location/stand you put it on. A taller tank may be your best option if you've already purchased a stand. So really, it depends.

Salt : how much am i looking to use to start my tank off its 65L ( if i get that one) and how much after its started what messurment will i be wanting to get one a HYDROMETER isit???

The measurements on the bucket of marine salt are usually pretty accurate. Buying a hydrometer or refractometer is recommended for measuring that it is actually correct, and for top offs (I'd really recommend spending the extra money on a refractometer as they're so much nicer and not too much more expensive these days).

I read it needs alot of movement! will somethink like a Tida Wave Maker be any good?

Wave makers are optional. First just try to make sure you have enough power heads to get flow through to everywhere in the tank. 10Xs your tank volume per hour is the generally accepted minimum. 20-25X on a smaller tank isn't bad.

Larstley what sort filterying would i use i have an extnal filter what media shud i use???

If you're buying live rock, the live rock will be your filter.

Thanks for your time and also again sorry for my spelling mistakes! and sorry if the questions are stuiped!

The only stupid question is the one not asked and ends up killing all your fish/inverts

Additionally, I would HIGHLY recommend buying an RO unit. Really. I shrugged it off as an unnecessary expense when I started my 10G nano reef. I eventually gave into peer pressure and got one. My nuisance alge problems then disappeared within a week or two. In the USA you can find cheap ones on ebay... probably the same for UKers.

Hi im home to go for a feef tank with a few fish?

To start off i wont be haveing lots of live rock so what media can i put in my extnal filter to help it along?

and please tell me witch is best tank..

60cm 30cm 30cm
or
50w x52h x35 d

Thanks really greatfull for the help!

 

[WayneVT08]

The 2x1x1 would be good. Even though it is small. So how many gallons is that?

Ok, so it's 14 US gallons. I would get in the neighborhood of 10-15 pounds of live rock. Not sure what that translates to in kilos.

You want live rock because it is your natural filtration and without it where would you put your corals? The sandbed? Not to sound like a jerk, it's just how it is, and for a reef tank, an external filter would be tough on the corals because external filters and bio-balls become a nitrate factory. Meaning they just hold all the bad stuff in.

 

[garybuk]

The 2x1x1 would be good. Even though it is small. So how many gallons is that?

Ok, so it's 14 US gallons. I would get in the neighborhood of 10-15 pounds of live rock. Not sure what that translates to in kilos.

You want live rock because it is your natural filtration and without it where would you put your corals? The sandbed? Not to sound like a jerk, it's just how it is, and for a reef tank, an external filter would be tough on the corals because external filters and bio-balls become a nitrate factory. Meaning they just hold all the bad stuff in.

Ok kool so no extnal filter is needed? i will get more live rock then so do the corals sit on the live rock?

Think im getting it!! so more live rock and a few power heads!

see with the other tank it was bigger 65l the other is smaller but as people said i will get the 2x1x1

 

[WayneVT08]

Do the LFS sell the Hydor Koralia's over there? If they do get a Hydor Koralia Nano. It's a type of powerhead. That should do just fine. Do you know what kind of lights you're going to have?

 

[garybuk]

Do the LFS sell the Hydor Koralia's over there? If they do get a Hydor Koralia Nano. It's a type of powerhead. That should do just fine. Do you know what kind of lights you're going to have?

T5s

Im looking at two times T5s at around 55W a bulb (so 2x 55w t5s) thats to start me off . is this an ok started? what collour bulbs would be best?
Am very very very very greatfull for your time and help!! i reallly am!!!!!

Edit: Yes they do they sell bigger ones too? if i get the nano one how many shud i be getting or shud i get one big one that does 3200-4600 LH

 

[WayneVT08]

For a 14 gallon tank I would only get the nano. Anymore than that may to a little too much flow. A Koralia 1 at the most.

Those T5's should be good. I have 14K's over my 30 cube and it looks really clear, not too blue and not too white.

 

[garybuk]

For a 14 gallon tank I would only get the nano. Anymore than that may to a little too much flow. A Koralia 1 at the most.

Those T5's should be good. I have 14K's over my 30 cube and it looks really clear, not too blue and not too white.

Hi thanks again!!

Just to make sure is any live sand ok? how much for a 14gallon will i need

also can i have too much lighting?? thanks thanks thanks and thanks again!

 

[Crazy fishes]

Yes and no to the lighting question.... sorry but that is the way the world works. If you have no corals in the tank then no, but if there is corals there by changing the lighting you can cause them to bleach ie mostly die. If your lighting is more intense the coral die because the zooxanthellae in the tissue off corals go in to 'hyperdrive' with regards photosynthesis and start producing ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species) which damage the corals tissue. If the lighting is reduced they are unable to make enough food and, do something that seems really stupid, kick out the algae that is producing the food.
Since this is a new tank get what ever lighting is sufficient for what corals you wish to keep. Since your tank is a foot deep you will probably get away with PC lighting maybe something like 2x 36 watt PC bulbs 50:50 white: actinic. With that I believe your tank will be flooded with light. My 24g is about 18 inchs deep and uses the same lighting so it should follow. If as you suggest 2x 55 watt then that is even better and those tubes are 21 inches so will fit across the entire tank. Go with 50:50 its a nice mix. Any live sand should be sufficient.

Regards