Slicercrush
New member
Hello All!
Its always hard to figure out how to start these posts off, as I can be more than sure there is plenty of them already, but I always find a personal post to bring me some of the most valuable information.
I am not new to the aquarium hobby, having kept freshwater fish for close to about 10 years now, but it is only now that i've decided to start scratching the itching feeling to begin keeping a saltwater tank.
And so, as with all new pet endeavors, begins my usual hunt for all the common basic info I need to begin. Luckily, forums like this one always seem to provide me with he best answers!
I have been searching around the last few days to start getting some info down, and in the least, I can say i've made an ok start, though much of the research led to many more questions. To begin, I have decided that I wanted to convert my 20 gallon tall freshwater over to saltwater, meaning that it will be considered a "nano" saltwater aquarium. I have heard that keeping larger tanks with saltwater can be much easier, but with my current space constrains in my room I don't believe I can do anything larger.
That being said, much of the equipment and new ways of doing things is quite new to me, being a bit different than what is done in the freshwater hobby. I suppose it would be easier to list my wants for this tank followed by the questions, since from what I can tell what I want to keep will determine what I need to run the tank.
My current want for this tank is it to be a 20 gallon nano reef. Looking around, I see my main choice in fish to be clowns, cardinals, and gobys as good starter fish, as well as a few soft corals to try and do something a little more with the tank, preferably Zoas, Mushrooms, or Euphyllia if possible (I love the look of torch corals!)
As for my main questions here:
Filtration: This one seems to be a big one. I have seen posts saying that a skimmer will be necessary, some saying it wont. Alongside this, I have also found conflicting opinions on whether or not a HOB/Canister filter is needed, or if you can just rely on the bacteria in the live rock/sand alongside a powerhead (which seems strange to me, my guess is that I will need one to remove large particulates). With this, what are some nice filters that you guys recommend, and skimmers if you feel I will require one.
Lighting: A big one with the wanting of corals. I want to do this on a budget, but I don't mind having to save for a while to make sure everything goes smoothly. I don't plan on adding corals right off the bat, until I know that the fish are stable, but a good lighting recommendation for a "starter" tank would be a huge plus in my search.
Powerheads: One or two? I suppose thats the main question. What are some simple, affordable powerheads that you all use?
Fish and Coral Suggestions: Don't want to get ahead of myself with the stock, what do you guys recommend? Did I choose ones that wouldn't be good for beginners?
Heater Suggestions: Pretty self explanatory.
Cycling With/Without a fish: I have done both successfully in freshwater, but I am not completely sure how well this would work in saltwater. I do plan to add some of the bottled bacteria as well, which has often worked with this stuff int he past for me. I have heard some recommend a single cardinal/clown to start the process, and slowly add more overtime, which would go with my plans very well.
Other needed equipment/small questions: Do soft corals need calcium? Should saltwater be prepared the night before, or just a few hours beforehand? How often do you guys recommend water changes in a saltwater tank? What other things am I missing here?
Sorry to ask so many questions at once, but I am hoping to get as much info as I can before I make the first purchase! Any and all suggestions are well appreciated, thank you!
Its always hard to figure out how to start these posts off, as I can be more than sure there is plenty of them already, but I always find a personal post to bring me some of the most valuable information.
I am not new to the aquarium hobby, having kept freshwater fish for close to about 10 years now, but it is only now that i've decided to start scratching the itching feeling to begin keeping a saltwater tank.
And so, as with all new pet endeavors, begins my usual hunt for all the common basic info I need to begin. Luckily, forums like this one always seem to provide me with he best answers!
I have been searching around the last few days to start getting some info down, and in the least, I can say i've made an ok start, though much of the research led to many more questions. To begin, I have decided that I wanted to convert my 20 gallon tall freshwater over to saltwater, meaning that it will be considered a "nano" saltwater aquarium. I have heard that keeping larger tanks with saltwater can be much easier, but with my current space constrains in my room I don't believe I can do anything larger.
That being said, much of the equipment and new ways of doing things is quite new to me, being a bit different than what is done in the freshwater hobby. I suppose it would be easier to list my wants for this tank followed by the questions, since from what I can tell what I want to keep will determine what I need to run the tank.
My current want for this tank is it to be a 20 gallon nano reef. Looking around, I see my main choice in fish to be clowns, cardinals, and gobys as good starter fish, as well as a few soft corals to try and do something a little more with the tank, preferably Zoas, Mushrooms, or Euphyllia if possible (I love the look of torch corals!)
As for my main questions here:
Filtration: This one seems to be a big one. I have seen posts saying that a skimmer will be necessary, some saying it wont. Alongside this, I have also found conflicting opinions on whether or not a HOB/Canister filter is needed, or if you can just rely on the bacteria in the live rock/sand alongside a powerhead (which seems strange to me, my guess is that I will need one to remove large particulates). With this, what are some nice filters that you guys recommend, and skimmers if you feel I will require one.
Lighting: A big one with the wanting of corals. I want to do this on a budget, but I don't mind having to save for a while to make sure everything goes smoothly. I don't plan on adding corals right off the bat, until I know that the fish are stable, but a good lighting recommendation for a "starter" tank would be a huge plus in my search.
Powerheads: One or two? I suppose thats the main question. What are some simple, affordable powerheads that you all use?
Fish and Coral Suggestions: Don't want to get ahead of myself with the stock, what do you guys recommend? Did I choose ones that wouldn't be good for beginners?
Heater Suggestions: Pretty self explanatory.
Cycling With/Without a fish: I have done both successfully in freshwater, but I am not completely sure how well this would work in saltwater. I do plan to add some of the bottled bacteria as well, which has often worked with this stuff int he past for me. I have heard some recommend a single cardinal/clown to start the process, and slowly add more overtime, which would go with my plans very well.
Other needed equipment/small questions: Do soft corals need calcium? Should saltwater be prepared the night before, or just a few hours beforehand? How often do you guys recommend water changes in a saltwater tank? What other things am I missing here?
Sorry to ask so many questions at once, but I am hoping to get as much info as I can before I make the first purchase! Any and all suggestions are well appreciated, thank you!
