Setting Up Small Tank!need Help Desperate!

[Chac]

Thanks alot Adam. But, when do you do the water changes whilst cycling, everday? And can you use the same test kit that you use for tropical fish?

Freshwater test kits will not be suitable for saltwater tanks

Salifert are the most reliable kits IMO

You will need Ammonia, NitrIte, Nitrate, pH, - May be an idea to get the a Phosphate Kit as well

You will also need a Refractometer

 

[connorsbala]

YOu know it says that the live rock does the filtering, do you still need a filter?

 

[adam.crouch]

yeah think so. ive got a fluval 304 on mine!

 

[demonmagus]

YOu know it says that the live rock does the filtering, do you still need a filter?

not for biological filteration, thats what the Live rock is for, you may need to use it for chemical filteration (sp?) like rowaphos or carbon e.t.c.

 

[Chac]

You also need to concider circulation ie powerheads

 

[connorsbala]

Would this one be alright?

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...p;rd=1&rd=1

 

[rhysiboy]

looks okay but dont let that pic fool you NEVER put that many fish in a tank that small.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

yeah you need something like 1lb of LR for every gallon in the tank (think that's the rule, please someone correct me if not!) then powerheads to circulate the tank water 20x over..... so powerheads are rated in lph (litres per hr) if your tank is 10litres then you need powerheads totalling 200lph.


that will do all your biological filtration, as others have said you may choose to keep a filter running to house things like carbon or rowaphos if you decide you need them, but it's not essential

 

[JaminRat]

I would deffinetley recommend running a filter but as said before not for biological. I use mine for filter floss and rowaphos. Floss keeps the water nice and clear and the rowaphos reduces phosphate and will help to keep algae to a minimum.

The first mistake I made was not running rowaphos from day 1 so I would advise everyone setting up to get it in their as early as possible.

Miss Wigle is spot on 1lb per usg or 1kg per 2usg (most uk lfs's sell LR buy the KG)

 

[adam.crouch]

I would deffinetley recommend running a filter but as said before not for biological. I use mine for filter floss and rowaphos. Floss keeps the water nice and clear and the rowaphos reduces phosphate and will help to keep algae to a minimum.

The first mistake I made was not running rowaphos from day 1 so I would advise everyone setting up to get it in their as early as possible.

Miss Wigle is spot on 1lb per usg or 1kg per 2usg (most uk lfs's sell LR buy the KG)

you should aim for atleast 1lb per UK gallon or try to get 2lb per Uk Gallon if possable. you need to make sure u leave enough space for you fish to swim