Salt Newbie

[hackmaster]

Ok not a problem thanks for all the info...

All the links to everything I need to know are dead and I haven't got that much of a clue...

I'm slowly getting there and I like to soak up as much info as a can before I take the plunge

I want to do it right and right first time rather than have things fluctuating and poor water quality

If I get stuck from here on in I will be making a journal with photos and test updates and such to follow my own progress

 

[fishy55599]

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/HYDOR-KORALIA-NANO-1600-POWERHEAD-EVOLUTION-RANGE-1-/190504917995?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item2c5afa5beb

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/D-D-H2-Ocean-Salinity-Refractometer-/300555427289?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item45fa7fddd9

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/CARIB-SEA-DRY-REEF-SAND-MARINE-CORAL-FISH-15LB-BAG-/280635129214?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item4157283d7e this is what i have but you may choose differently.

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-100W-HEATER-TROPICAL-MARINE-FISH-TANK-AQUARIUM-/290460510347?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item43a0cba88b

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/STYLISH-DIGITAL-THERMOMETER-UK-SELLER-FAST-DISPATCH-/230612652219?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Poultry&hash=item35b195d0bb

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/V2-Skim-120-Nano-protein-Skimmer-Ideal-Nano-tanks-/270738083728?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item3f093f4f90

some links that may be useful.

 

[hackmaster]

I have the heater, thermometer and powerhead on order...

Next is the sand and refractometer...

Protein skimmer..? Are these necessary..?

 

[woody88]

I have the heater, thermometer and powerhead on order...

Next is the sand and refractometer...

Protein skimmer..? Are these necessary..?

Depends on bioload (amount of fish/waste). Skimmers are mechanical filtration (collect debris)

If it's a light stocking then just doing weekly water changes would suffice. If your planning on a heavier stock of fish/inverts etc then personally I'd recommend a skimmer AND weekly water changes.

 

[hackmaster]

Ok so how about a pair of clowns, and a firefish obviously the cleaner crew, but they should have no effect on the bioload should they..?

Could I add a skimmer at a later date if I wanted to add more fish..?

What sort of stocking levels would you advise with and without skimmers on my size tank

 

[fishy55599]

Ok so how about a pair of clowns, and a firefish obviously the cleaner crew, but they should have no effect on the bioload should they..?

Could I add a skimmer at a later date if I wanted to add more fish..? that is what i will be doing, also dont get corals untill you have a skimmer.

What sort of stocking levels would you advise with and without skimmers on my size tank sorry stocking is not my area of experties

 

[seffieuk]

I think you could put in one of the smaller gobies or blennys, I wouldnt put anything more in! Re the skimmer, if you are doing a good 20% water change every day, your size tank should be fine, however, to be honest, I would always suggest using a skimmer - you can get a cheap boyu for now, they do an ok job

Seffie x

 

[hackmaster]

I think you could put in one of the smaller gobies or blennys, I wouldnt put anything more in! Re the skimmer, if you are doing a good 20% water change every day, your size tank should be fine, however, to be honest, I would always suggest using a skimmer - you can get a cheap boyu for now, they do an ok job

Seffie x

ok then skimmer it is i'm watching a few on ebay including 1 of the boyu 1's but a couple of them v200..? i think they are.. what stocking would be suitable with the skimmer..?

next thing is lighting...

it is a jewel tank with only 1 t8 tube, this is no where near good enough for corals is it..? so how would i upgrade it and what to..?

 

[fishy55599]

would always suggest using a skimmer

i was told skimmerless would be fine if you do waterchanges every week of about 25%
but when you get corals you need it

 

[seffieuk]

Skimmerless is fine on a nano, but if the choice is there, get a skimmer, you will have better water quality.

Take a look at the iquatics range of lighting units

Seffie x

 

[hackmaster]

ok thank you seffie...

i'm sure i'll need you in the near future

i'll check them out now

 

[Funkoid]

I think you could put in one of the smaller gobies or blennys, I wouldnt put anything more in! Re the skimmer, if you are doing a good 20% water change every day, your size tank should be fine, however, to be honest, I would always suggest using a skimmer - you can get a cheap boyu for now, they do an ok job

Seffie x

I picked up a boyu one from ebay (wg-310), after a about 14 days it has settled in and started to produce decent quantities of foam, before hand it was pulling in murkey stuff so it has been doing the job well enough for now. I only paid about £12 for it so from me.

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370394599804&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

Also powerhead wise I just went for a cheap sun sun one, as so far it seems to be doing the job for the money.

http/stores.ebay.co.uk/All-Pond-Solutions/_i.html?_nkw=wave&submit=Search&_sid=181000182

 

[fishy55599]

I think you could put in one of the smaller gobies or blennys, I wouldnt put anything more in! Re the skimmer, if you are doing a good 20% water change every day, your size tank should be fine, however, to be honest, I would always suggest using a skimmer - you can get a cheap boyu for now, they do an ok job

Seffie x

I picked up a boyu one from ebay (wg-310), after a about 14 days it has settled in and started to produce decent quantities of foam, before hand it was pulling in murkey stuff so it has been doing the job well enough for now. I only paid about £12 for it so from me.

http/cgi.ebay.co.u...e=STRK:MEWNX:IT

Also powerhead wise I just went for a cheap sun sun one, as so far it seems to be doing the job for the money.

http/stores.ebay.c...&_sid=181000182

didnt think any that cheap would work well.....hmm...

 

[Funkoid]

I think you could put in one of the smaller gobies or blennys, I wouldnt put anything more in! Re the skimmer, if you are doing a good 20% water change every day, your size tank should be fine, however, to be honest, I would always suggest using a skimmer - you can get a cheap boyu for now, they do an ok job

Seffie x

I picked up a boyu one from ebay (wg-310), after a about 14 days it has settled in and started to produce decent quantities of foam, before hand it was pulling in murkey stuff so it has been doing the job well enough for now. I only paid about £12 for it so from me.

http/cgi.ebay.co.u...e=STRK:MEWNX:IT

Also powerhead wise I just went for a cheap sun sun one, as so far it seems to be doing the job for the money.

http/stores.ebay.c...&_sid=181000182

didnt think any that cheap would work well.....hmm...

Neither did I but in fairness both units seem to be doing the job, I'll probably be replacing the skimmer when i get a good buy on a better unit but for the moment it's doing the job.

 

[weezawoo]

I have bought the sunsun 6000lph powerheads for my tank. Not used them yet but heard good and bad things about them, I went for the higher ones as some say they arent as powerful as they are made out to be. Also they have 10% throughout may if you buy anything on the APS website I have a code!