4 Gallon nano reef

[austinunrein]

Hello I am new to salt water reef keeping, and wanted to get into the hobbie. So I bought a 4 Gallon Finnex capabale of fresh and salt water because I felt it was a good deal for 50 dollars. I then bought a heater, salt, hyrdometer stuff to get it running. I made sure the salinty was in the reef safe around 1.025 let it run for a few days ten went to get live rock its been cycling for 6 days now and I want it to cycle for 2 weeks. Why I am writing this is all the opposite feed back from pet stores for one, on place said to keep the lights on for almost all days and he wants e to grow algae and the other pet store wants me to not keep the light on because he is scared of the alage running over. Another thing one pet store says one very small fish is enough and shirmp, coral and such and the other said I could keep 2 very small fish, shirmp, coral and stuff. Also I have a hang on the back carbon filter with 30 GPH flow and was wondering if that is enough for most corals I would keep in there or should I get a powerhead. Both fish stores thought I had enough flow just wanted to make sure. Last is not really a question, but on my live rock one looks like it has a whole colony of feather dusters, and the other what I thought was some type of sea worm came out and found it to be a red bristle sea star which is very cool, and should I do anything to keep the star alive or will he live by himself just fine. Thank you if you read this long thread and anybit of info would help or sugestion evan if I did't already mention.

 

[Drag Racer]

Wow thats a lot of info in your first post. First thing I would do is start searching this forum and look to see what others have done with your size tank and do what they do but fit your ability and budget. Water changes a must. You dont need the light on while cycling if theres nothing that needs light. That little filter wont be enough IMO. You should step up to an AC70 or so. As far as what you keep will all depend on light. Fish 1-2 small fish. I have 2 small clowns in mine for close to 2 years now and I have same tank.

 

[kylebeano]

+1 to what DR has already mentioned.

You should just get the tank started on an 8 hour day timer, dont run it 24/7. Let the tank FINISH its cycle and establish a system that will move nutrients through.
The stock filter isnt going to cut it if you plan on having any fish (maybe 1 very small fish, like a shrimp goby, for a beginner). And the stock light is good for macro algae and washed out soft corals.

I have the same tank, with an AC70 filter and 2 par30 LED bulbs.