hello again

[Massengill]

I will finally be returning from Korea in a couple weeks and am still interested in setting up another salt aquarium. I plan on keeping it simple, one anemone and a pair of clowns. I do not have any plans on having hard or soft corals. I just wanted to get recomendations of what I absolutely need for success. I use to have a 29 gallon with a BioWheel, powerhead, heater, T-5 (X4) lighting set-up . . . yes, no protein skimmer! I had a green Haddon's Carpet and a pair of SaddleBack clowns that thrived very well. I had about a 3" sand bed and about 15-16lbs of live rock in it. Is it better to have more live rock and a protein skimmer and ditch the BioWheel, or is a BioWheel good enough for my plans. Did I just get lucky with my previous set-up? I am probably going to switch from the T-5 set-up to one 150watt 12 or 13k MH bulb. If I remember correct I kept the tank at 80 degrees and 1.025 specific gravity. I do plan on using bottled RO water this go round, I could never win the war with red slime and hair algae using tap going through a PUR filter. I'd like to do another small tank, under 19" tall.

 

[bassking16]

Hello

Hello

First of all, from one AF member to another, WELCOME HOME! I did the Kunsan thing a few years ago. Had a great time, but I'm glad to be back.

As for your setup, I am relatively new at Saltwater, but from what I have learned over the last year or so, more live rock is better then not enough rock. The rule of thumb is 1 to 1.5 lbs of rock per gallon of tank water.

Again from my readings, everyone who keeps corals swears by using a good skimmer. I'm not too sure about anemone keeping without one, but a small hang on skimmer would probably not be a bad idea. Keep the bio-wheel though. Even if empty, it's good for water movement. I have one hanging on my 75g reef tank for water movement only. No filter media at all.

Your T5 lighting would be just fine for what you are planing, but MH's would make the tank look a little more brilliant IMO. Just make sure that you place your anemone (s) near the bottom at first, and let them move to a spot that is comfortable for them. That will be alot of light for your smaller tank. Just my 2 cents.

I hope this helps you out, and again, welcome back.