Starting A Marine Aquarium

[rabbut]

The only skimmers there that I would consider buying would be the AquaMedic TurboFlotor's at the end, at $250 and $650 respectively... The rest are cheap rubbish, or brands that I have never come across. The Red Sea skimmers aren't worth the plastic they are made with and the Taam's all use the Rio pumps...

I think if you want descent protien skimmers, you will either have to increase your budget, or increase the number of stores you are willing to trade with...

For Koralias, you want either

Three of these

or

Two of these

All the best
Rabbut

 

[omega59]

wow okay, that is not in my budget hehe. the powerheads are tho

 

[SkiFletch]

The Coralife Superskimmer is also OK, but what size is your tank? Might be easier if you have a nano to concentrate on waterchanges as opposed to skimming

 

[kj23502]

Ski, that's what I was thinking!!! On a small tank w/a small bioload you don't need a protein skimmer. You just need to be religous w/water changes. Every week or so. I'm setting up a 29g and I'm going to have a skimmer b/c I'm going to have 5 fish with eventually corals. I need cleaner water due to the corals.


I'm surprised someone hasn't posted this:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=135909 ---FAQ for nano tanks

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=115937 ---I've decided to go nano...what's next?

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=115899 --Nano facts and myths

Dude, my advice is to check out the realm of knowledge and read as much as you can before you do anything else. I can answer all of your questions(except skimmer) and I'm just beginning to set up my first saltwater tank. Not bragging, just trying to point out how much you can learn from good reads. It really prepares you for the future as well as far as anything going awry w/your tank.

Here is the realm of knowledge,
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=29026

Good Luck mate

Kj

 

[omega59]

it is a 30gal with 2 fish, maybe 3 fish later on. but for now 2 fish clown's and no coral.

 

[SkiFletch]

No skimmer required then

 

[omega59]

really?!?! great i just saved me some money to put towards something else woohoo ty!
i will do regular weekly water changes anyhow like usual.

 

[kj23502]

Glad it made your day!!!

 

[omega59]

I'am going today to get the things i need, but i won't be able to setup anything untill my FW fish are all gone

 

[kj23502]

I hear ya about the waiting part. It sux, really. I've been waiting for my hubby to finish the stand for my 29g for a few months now Good thing is it's almost done

What are you going to do w/your fish? Sell them back to the lfs? or to other people?

Kj

 

[Truck]

What are you going to do w/your fish? Sell them back to the lfs? or to other people?

Kj

in my opinion you are not a serious fish keeper, if you sell back your fish to the LFS to make room for new ones.

yeh fair enough if the fish store has told you a load of bull ... but not to make way for new fish, enjoy them whilst you've got them, and in the time your waiting do as much research as possible.

ive got to wait, and in that time its research and thats better than diving in head first
HTH

 

[omega59]

I'am not giving them to my LFS, my friend wants the mollies and i will keep the gourami in the 10gal.

okay i was able to buy 2 Hydor powerheads 400GPH and a meter
I just need the sand, live rock, salt, fish woohoo!

 

[omega59]

i went back to my LFS picked up a big bucket of salt 50Gals i think it is. master test kit for saltwater tanks. The guy said when I am ready i can buy the liverock and fish at the same time cus their rocks have been sitting there for a month, put them together same day without an issue. He said I need a skimmer for my 30gal with 3 fish, he pointed out a $165 skimmer and i said oh crap not today lol. So i need a skimmer?? that's very expensive and it was huge thing over 18 inch lol! what do you think of this idea??

 

[kj23502]

You do NOT need a skimmer. The moderator, as well as others, already told you this. The lfs is there to sell you stuff and we're here to help. With 3 fish you won't need a skimmer. Like as stated earlier, you'll be fine keeping up on water changes. Spend that $ on live rock instead of a skimmer

I would never put a new fish in with new rock and a new tank on the same day. My friend, who is a marine biologist, told me to let my tank sit for a month or so before adding fish. Of course run all your equipment (powerheads and stuff). If you get 0 readings for ammonia, nitrite and nitrates under control you could maybe add a fish after 3 weeks or so.

I forget..are you going to have any snails or anything?

Nothing happens fast in saltwater tank

 

[omega59]

okay i understand ty, just got worried there. no i don't think i want snails at this time. i just want to conentrate on 2 fish atm.