crzysxycooi
In Memoriam
hi, i wanna start a 10 gallon fish tank with just corals and shrimps. what equipments do i need? heater? filter? i dont know what's required for a saltwater aquarium. how do i start a saltwater aquarium?? please help
how do i start a saltwater aquarium?
- Thread starter crzysxycooi
- Start date
Wow, that is a tall order.
First off, if it is your first tank especially, I'd recommend that you get something significantly larger than 10 gallons. Saltwater aquariums are much more difficult to maintain than freshwater, and hte mroe water you have, the more stable the system (because any sort of polutants will dilute more in a larger body of water and thus have less of an effect on the system).
In short, though, you will need a tank, a protein skimmer (a sort of wet filter), some water pumps, live rock (which acts like a biological water filter), and lights.
In a perfect world, you should get a protein skimmer that is overrated for your tank (no problem if you are using a 10 gallon), good water circulation (but not "too much").
You might want to check out nano-tanks. They are designed to be very small closed system saltwater aquariums.
--kravi
First off, if it is your first tank especially, I'd recommend that you get something significantly larger than 10 gallons. Saltwater aquariums are much more difficult to maintain than freshwater, and hte mroe water you have, the more stable the system (because any sort of polutants will dilute more in a larger body of water and thus have less of an effect on the system).
In short, though, you will need a tank, a protein skimmer (a sort of wet filter), some water pumps, live rock (which acts like a biological water filter), and lights.
In a perfect world, you should get a protein skimmer that is overrated for your tank (no problem if you are using a 10 gallon), good water circulation (but not "too much").
You might want to check out nano-tanks. They are designed to be very small closed system saltwater aquariums.
--kravi
crzysxycooi
In Memoriam
do i need live sand? do u by any chance know how to get rid of bristle worms? do bristle worms attack sexy shrimps or corals (i think the corals are called "zoos")
zoltetov
Member
I think the best thing you can do at this point is read. I understand that you're asking for advice, but really, at this point, do a little research first. Get a better idea of not only what people have, but also what things cost. You might find that for the cost of a 10 gallon, you could actually get a larger set up for not much more. This site is a great resource and you made a fantastic first step. Now the best thing you can do is take advantage of it. Remember, it is important that you're patient. Nothing good ever happens quickly in this hobby. Investing your money in the wrong system because you made some bad decisions (like a lot of us), could get quite annoying and expensive.
oh yeah, and:
[welcome]
oh yeah, and:
[welcome]
ttomkat1
New member
Welcome to the forums crzysxycooi,
Well you are on the right track by asking before buying. I would definetly read up a bit on the requirements for keeping a saltwater tank, especially if you want to keep coral.
I second the idea of maybe a nano system, but look at the bigger picture first.
Hope to see you around!
---ttomkat1
Well you are on the right track by asking before buying. I would definetly read up a bit on the requirements for keeping a saltwater tank, especially if you want to keep coral.
I second the idea of maybe a nano system, but look at the bigger picture first.
Hope to see you around!
---ttomkat1
tigerarmy40
New member
if I were you and I was pretty serious about getting into the hobby I would go out and by about three or four books about marine aquariums to read....
AngeloM3
New member
the moderator is gonna hate me for this.... but
www.wetwebmedia.com
probably has EVERY kind of information you'll need to know!
www.wetwebmedia.com
probably has EVERY kind of information you'll need to know!
rivank
New member
Waterkeeper says it best here I think. Good info. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=239848
crzysxycooi
In Memoriam
ok thanks guys!!
Little tank means a little change can be huge in terms of effect.
A 30 gallon is a good medium size---big tank solidity, but not so cranky as a 10, and it will still run on a Penguin filter and adequate lighting if you want to get into the simplest kind of saltwater.
To do the modern way, you want a reef-plumbed tank, a skimmer, a sump, a pretty potent return pump, good lights, live rock if not live sand, and a flock of test kits.
You say you want to keep corals: you can, but corals come in several different levels of what-they-need. Simplest, the zooanthids and mushrooms, many of which will flourish under lower light and basic equipment; a 30 with a Penguin can do those.
Next in requirements: with better lighting, and the sump/skimmer/live rock method, you can keep the large polyp corals like frogspawn, bubble, and others of that type: some of them will eat most anything you give them.
The highest requirements, definitely mh lighting and potent skimmer and sump, the sps, the branching colorful sticks and their type...they're very do-able if you have the right light and a good amount of flow and the right test kits (cal, alk, and mg). You can get sucked further and further into that realm of calcium-hungry creatures that get you into calcium reactors and other automations that can get pricey.
I'd say if you want to start, start with a tank that can become the sump of a bigger tank, because people who get drawn into this hobby end up getting bigger tanks---and get your feet wet, so to speak.
Get mushrooms and the like, trade with friends in the hobby, learn to reproduce those and get expert with the equipment and the water chemistry. You can have your mushrooms, your shrimp, a few nano-fish, and have a lively, colorful tank. Don't start with an anemone, if you'll take my advice: everyone who's seen Nemo wants to try, and they're a special kind of problem. If you want a good-looking tank, and corals call to you, try the mushrooms for a start: they stay where you put them (mostly), they reproduce easily, and there are tons of varieties that will get you started. You can parlay them into a few tolerant stony corals and better lighting, and you'll do fine.
A 30 gallon is a good medium size---big tank solidity, but not so cranky as a 10, and it will still run on a Penguin filter and adequate lighting if you want to get into the simplest kind of saltwater.
To do the modern way, you want a reef-plumbed tank, a skimmer, a sump, a pretty potent return pump, good lights, live rock if not live sand, and a flock of test kits.
You say you want to keep corals: you can, but corals come in several different levels of what-they-need. Simplest, the zooanthids and mushrooms, many of which will flourish under lower light and basic equipment; a 30 with a Penguin can do those.
Next in requirements: with better lighting, and the sump/skimmer/live rock method, you can keep the large polyp corals like frogspawn, bubble, and others of that type: some of them will eat most anything you give them.
The highest requirements, definitely mh lighting and potent skimmer and sump, the sps, the branching colorful sticks and their type...they're very do-able if you have the right light and a good amount of flow and the right test kits (cal, alk, and mg). You can get sucked further and further into that realm of calcium-hungry creatures that get you into calcium reactors and other automations that can get pricey.
I'd say if you want to start, start with a tank that can become the sump of a bigger tank, because people who get drawn into this hobby end up getting bigger tanks---and get your feet wet, so to speak.
Get mushrooms and the like, trade with friends in the hobby, learn to reproduce those and get expert with the equipment and the water chemistry. You can have your mushrooms, your shrimp, a few nano-fish, and have a lively, colorful tank. Don't start with an anemone, if you'll take my advice: everyone who's seen Nemo wants to try, and they're a special kind of problem. If you want a good-looking tank, and corals call to you, try the mushrooms for a start: they stay where you put them (mostly), they reproduce easily, and there are tons of varieties that will get you started. You can parlay them into a few tolerant stony corals and better lighting, and you'll do fine.davidhughes85
New member
First step: Go for a Bigger tank your going to get one later anyways trust me
Second Step: Take out a Loan
Third: Research research research
Second Step: Take out a Loan
Third: Research research research
skeeter_ca
Active member
Don't forget, MONEY!!
skeeter_ca
Active member
So, if the plural for shrimp is shrimp how do you know if your talking about more than one. ROFLMAS!
rustybucket145
New member
aquadw~ I have 3 shrimp ~ 
Just a side note you shouldn't really be worrying about brislteworms right now. Worry about the tank/skimmer/heater/sandbed or barebottom.
Just a side note you shouldn't really be worrying about brislteworms right now. Worry about the tank/skimmer/heater/sandbed or barebottom.
pikachusalad
New member
Actually...shrimps is legal...and for that matter, so is fishes.
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