im a newbie and need help

[bigdave430]

Hi im dave and im very knowledgeable about freshwater tanks but know nothing about saltwater tanks. I recently got a 12 gallon aquapod as a gift and want to start a little reef. I just want to house a anenome with a clown fish. what the heck do i do. I dont know where to start. Oh and do i have to buy a protein skimmer. Oh, and can i use biological filtration material from my freshwater tank to quicken the cycling process. thanks

 

[bigdave430]

im a newbie and need help

Hi im dave and im very knowledgeable about freshwater tanks but know nothing about saltwater tanks. I recently got a 12 gallon aquapod as a gift and want to start a little reef. I just want to house a anenome with a clown fish. what the heck do i do. I dont know where to start. Oh and do i have to buy a protein skimmer. Oh, and can i use biological filtration material from my freshwater tank to quicken the cycling process. thanks

 

[glaudds]

Here's a good start..
http://reefcentral.com/modules.php?s=&name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=1

 

[scrmbld33]

well start off with reading this thread here
http://reefcentral.com/modules.php?s=&name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=1

lots of good info on that thread, a skimmer would be a plus and may stretch out water changes a few days on a tank that size, also search for live rock and about the curing process, as for the fresh water stuff helping im not sure maybe post that in the chemist forum, oh and most importantly post any Q's here and be patient very patient salt takes time and have fun

 

[kisscouple]

Hello If you want a nem youll need to wait awhile. They need a well established tank to thrive. A protien skimmer is a plus but you dont really have to have one but as said above they help stretch out water changes which is a plus . I wouldnt think that the freshwater bacteria would help cure the salt water but Im not positive on that one. Im thinking they are two different animals so to speak Good luck in your adventure Bill

 

[purza_00]

Freshwater bacteria will not help in saltwater. If you want to shorten the cycle you will need freshly cured live rock and live sand. The longer the rock is out water the more time it will take to cycle.

 

[rodgod20]

also, take a listen to www.talkreef.com really good process about setting up new tanks

 

[bertoni]

None of the more common anemones will fit well in a 12g tank. They also tend to require strong lighting, although there are exceptions. This article might be useful:

http://www.carlosreef.com/AnemoneFAQ.pdf

Also, this article covers a lot of the chemistry you'll need to understand:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php