My first saltwater tank.

[Pigpen17]

Anyone else have light or protein skimmer suggestions?

I didn't see if you had a sump or if you were looking for HOB skimmer.

 

[Stephen Hiatt]

I didn't see if you had a sump or if you were looking for HOB skimmer.

I traded some stuff on craigslist that I didn't want for the tank. The bad part was that it was a lobster tank, but I can't complain because it was basically free. I took out the chiller, and after I clean out the tubing and the tank it should be water ready. Since it is a lobster tank it came with a sump, but it is closed off and the only openings are for the intake and outtake. I was planning on putting the skimmer in the overflow, and if that doesn't work I'll get a hob skimmer.

 

[mets17127]

I newly got 3 of the 165w ones and like them. Not a lot of bells and whistles but strong, cheap, and look nice.

 

[Pigpen17]

I traded some stuff on craigslist that I didn't want for the tank. The bad part was that it was a lobster tank, but I can't complain because it was basically free. I took out the chiller, and after I clean out the tubing and the tank it should be water ready. Since it is a lobster tank it came with a sump, but it is closed off and the only openings are for the intake and outtake. I was planning on putting the skimmer in the overflow, and if that doesn't work I'll get a hob skimmer.

Well, I have no advice for that. I guess you'll be limited by what will fit. Are you thinking of having the intake and output in tank and just have the skimmer body in the overflow?

 

[Stephen Hiatt]

Are you thinking of having the intake and output in tank and just have the skimmer body in the overflow?

Yes. Spot on.

 

[Stephen Hiatt]

As I mentioned before, the tank is a lobster tank. I just water tested it and the tank seems good along with the plumbing. I'll paint it black next and then hopefully get it in the house and once my Dad gives me some money I'll go buy some salt and sand. Once I do that I will try to get it cycled and put some lights on that I have until I need the coral lights. Then I'll get some fish to keep the cycled.

 

[Stephen Hiatt]

Are these corals okay? This was about 3/4 of what I want because I still want toadstool or some others that can substitute an anemone. I'd also like advice on Starfish, if I should or shouldn't get them, and why or why not. I don't mind spot feeding them if I have to, because I easily have the time. The Starfish I plan on getting is in the screenshot. (I hope I did the pictures right)

 

[mets17127]

That all looks fine. Easy care/lower light corals. That star is also good. They eat junk. But hide most of the day. Most other types of stars either eat coral or die easily from starvation.

 

[Stephen Hiatt]

That all looks fine. Easy care/lower light corals. That star is also good. They eat junk. But hide most of the day. Most other types of stars either eat coral or die easily from starvation.

Since then I've decided on a Harlequin Serpent Star rather than the Brittle Star.

I was going to try and do zoanthids, frogspawns, hammers, toadstool, and mushrooms, and xenia for my coral. From what I've seen they are all beginner corals.

 

[mets17127]

True

 

[Stephen Hiatt]

True

Any other beginner corals I should look into?

 

[mets17127]

Green star polyps

 

[Stephen Hiatt]

Green star polyps

Somehow I forgot about those. The lady at my lfs even recommended I get some. Memory shouldn't be going bad while I'm so young.

 

[mets17127]

There are different levels of green. They grow fast, so hold out for the really bright green ones