Questions For Future Idea

[SBL]

Well, I'm only 14 and in 2-3 yrs, I hope to work at my LFS. I want to start a Reef tank but I can't due to very little funds until i get a job. Just gonna gain up info on the topic before I jump in.
So,
1)Do I NEED a RO Unit?

My LFS has RO water but, I don't wanrt to pay $1 a gallon of water to keep my tank stable.

2.) What size tank should I start with?

I have 2 29USG and hope to get a 55USG. I can have bigger but, can't be more than 4ft x 20in in area.

3.) What bulbs should I get?

I don't want to order bulbs, but if I have to I will. My 29g planted has 3 18" T8 Hagen Powerglos. each 15watts, and says 18,000k on the light specs.

4.) What are easy corals to start with?

I know Zoas, Mushrooms, and leathers are easy but, any others?

5.) What are easy, coral and invert safe, fish?

I like look of Damsels but, read they are aggressive unless single or in groups of 5+.
Also Foxfaces catch my eye. I like Clown Fish, but I want them to have an anemone with them and will wait a year after stable set-up before adding anemone.
I see alot of gobies available but, want to know which are safe. Also like Cardinals too.

 

[the biffster]

Well, I'm only 14 and in 2-3 yrs, I hope to work at my LFS. I want to start a Reef tank but I can't due to very little funds until i get a job. Just gonna gain up info on the topic before I jump in.
So,
1)Do I NEED a RO Unit?

My LFS has RO water but, I don't wanrt to pay $1 a gallon of water to keep my tank stable.

2.) What size tank should I start with?

I have 2 29USG and hope to get a 55USG. I can have bigger but, can't be more than 4ft x 20in in area.

3.) What bulbs should I get?

I don't want to order bulbs, but if I have to I will. My 29g planted has 3 18" T8 Hagen Powerglos. each 15watts, and says 18,000k on the light specs.

4.) What are easy corals to start with?

I know Zoas, Mushrooms, and leathers are easy but, any others?

5.) What are easy, coral and invert safe, fish?

I like look of Damsels but, read they are aggressive unless single or in groups of 5+.
Also Foxfaces catch my eye. I like Clown Fish, but I want them to have an anemone with them and will wait a year after stable set-up before adding anemone.
I see alot of gobies available but, want to know which are safe. Also like Cardinals too.

hi my name is the biffster
and i did this for just less than
£100 i don't know how that much works
out in dollars but you could always start
out small then get bigger as you go along
here is the link http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/341044-the-biffster-micro-tank/page__pid__2854479__st__80&#entry2854479

 

[SBL]

I'd rather start of big because of variety and also bigger tanks are easier to maintain than small tanks.

 

[-Nemo-]

Well, I'm only 14 and in 2-3 yrs, I hope to work at my LFS. I want to start a Reef tank but I can't due to very little funds until i get a job. Just gonna gain up info on the topic before I jump in.
So,

Hello there!

1)Do I NEED a RO Unit?

My LFS has RO water but, I don't wanrt to pay $1 a gallon of water to keep my tank stable.

For corals... yes. Look at buying an RO unit instead. Expensive, but definitely pay off in the long run and saves you going to the store as well.

2.) What size tank should I start with?

I have 2 29USG and hope to get a 55USG. I can have bigger but, can't be more than 4ft x 20in in area.

Bigger is better Definitely wouldn't do under a 20G... a 29G or 55G would be great starters.

3.) What bulbs should I get?

I don't want to order bulbs, but if I have to I will. My 29g planted has 3 18" T8 Hagen Powerglos. each 15watts, and says 18,000k on the light specs.

Wouldn't be woried about bulbs, rather than a fixture. That depends upon what kind of corals you want to keep. T8s can support some soft corals, but nothing else. Growth will also be minimum.

4.) What are easy corals to start with?

I know Zoas, Mushrooms, and leathers are easy but, any others?

Any softie, like those you named, are generally fairly simple. Yellow polyps, star polyps are also good ones.

5.) What are easy, coral and invert safe, fish?

I like look of Damsels but, read they are aggressive unless single or in groups of 5+.
Also Foxfaces catch my eye. I like Clown Fish, but I want them to have an anemone with them and will wait a year after stable set-up before adding anemone.
I see alot of gobies available but, want to know which are safe. Also like Cardinals too.

I'd stay completely away from any damsels... All are nasty little things.
Be aware that clownfish don't NEED an anemone and many will host other things besides anemones. Anemones also need good lighting so if you want to keep one, your T8s will not be able to support one... You would need at least several T5s. Most also get a foot or more in diameter, so I would greatly encourage a large tank for one. They can also be tricky with corals, as they like to sting them.

Nearly all gobies are going to be OK. Cardinals are great, PJ's can be kept in groups, Banggais can ONLY be kept as individuals no matter what your LFS might say.

In addition these fish are great: Firefish, various blennies, Reefsafe Wrasses (flasher... fairy...), royal gramma

 

[SBL]

Thanks.
How would I get corals out of the bag and also do complete water changes if I ever need to with corals in the tank? I read that corals and inverts shouldn't be exposed to air.

Also, would I need reflectors to increase growth?

 

[-Nemo-]

You should never have to do a complete water change... ever. Should never have to do more than 50%.

Regardless, corals can be exposed to air... that's how they are fragged. Most inverts are OK in the air temporarily as well (EXCLUDING starfish and clams and sponges).

 

[SBL]

Ok, what kind of crabs should I look out for? I saw Teddybears are bad, but want to know more kinds and how to identify them.

 

[-Nemo-]

Too many crabs... Majority are bad honestly. I would never personally keep any crab that came as a hitch hiker.

http/www.chucksaddiction.com/hitchcrabs.html
Decent resource

 

[SBL]

Ok, How would you attach corals to rocks?

 

[-Nemo-]

MAny corals come already attached to a piece of rock. Those that aren't can either be superglued, epoxy puttyed or tied to a rock.

 

[SBL]

Do corals need a photoperiod to grow well?

Also are Damsels just fish aggresive or will destroy corals too?
Just wondering because a tank full of 8 Damsels would look good.

 

[-Nemo-]

Do corals need a photoperiod to grow well?

Also are Damsels just fish aggresive or will destroy corals too?
Just wondering because a tank full of 8 Damsels would look good.

Recommended photoperiod is generally 8-10 hours.

Damsels are just very aggressive... A group of them will likely end in just having one. They will most likely eventually kill each other off.

 

[SBL]

Ok. Then I need to buy a timer for lights then? because I have school for 7 hours, sometimes stay after and want to see my fish.

 

[Harry1996]

yep timer would be best. what time do you normally go to bed? i know its sound weird saying that, but the lights could turn on a hour or 2 before you get home from school?

im also 14 and i have a marine tank its a nano and i find it easy to look after

 

[SBL]

So I could have it on from 1 o' clock to 9? I go to bed at 9, and schools out at 2:30.

Also, since I am in the US, what product brands would I use, like test kits, powerheads, skimmers, etc.

Would I need a sump if I got the 55? Would I have to drill it to move to the sump, or could I just run PVC pipe from tank to sump?