Need Advice

[ilikethesea]

Hello, I am very new to both forums and salt tanks, so I am sorry if I put this post in the wrong area. I am building a twenty gallon salt tank. I bought some base rock at the pet store Saturday. My tank is not ready for water yet. I am still waiting for RO+DI water filter kit.

My first question is: Is it ok to leave the base rock in the plastic bag that it came in or should I take it out of the bag?

The sales man said that with a twenty gallon I could get by with out a protein skimmer. He sold me a thirty gallon bio-wheel that hangs on the back of the tank instead?

My second question is: Should I go buy a protein skimmer instead of using the bio-wheel filter, or will I be ok with the bio-wheel?

Any help I could get on this subject would mean a lot to me

Thanks

Will

 

[MileHighFish]

Hello Will I wouldnt bother with the bio wheel you would be much better off using a HOB (Hang on Back) skimmer. What store did you go to? You can often get some bad advice here in NM from the local fish stores or LFS. I wouldnt keep the rock in a bag, is it dry rock or sitting in water? If it is in water and only "base rock" I wouldnt worry about keeping it wet more then likely its isnt "live" or doesnt have any bacteria. If you have the time and resources I would look at buying live rock through a online dealer, or someone getting out of the hobby (craigs list or the NM oceankeepers here on RC). The LFS here in NM have a very poor selection of live rock and I wouldnt even consider starting a new tank with any of the rock from any of the stores in the area.

 

[wetWolger]

the cheapest skimmer in the world will be better than any biowheel....and will save you lots of money in carbon. Yes you can use a HOB filter if you change the carbon frequently, but a skimmer will do MUCH better. IMO that is

 

[MileHighFish]

Will this is the link to the NM guys..

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=449

 

[ilikethesea]

I went to Southwest Reef CO. The rock is still a little wet. This is my first time with a salt tank, so I was not sure what the correct numbered steps where to starting my tank. I did not realize I was going to need RO+DI water, so I got the rock before I bought the filter. Thank both of you so much. I will go buy a protein skimmer as soon as possible. I will look into buying my rock online. I favorite listed the NM forum and will post there from now on.

Thanks

Will

 

[dancewithethan]

Wow... bio-wheel, that's almost a taboo word to say around here. here is a link to the basic or general tank questions and set-up.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1031074

I would do more reading in the "New to the hobby" forum before making any live stocks or equipments purchases. GOOD LUCK and Welcome to the RC!

 

[MileHighFish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14821331#post14821331 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ilikethesea
I went to Southwest Reef CO.
Will

No pun intended, but take what Southwest Reef has to say with a grain of salt.. I would recommend you post a question here and gather a few peoples thoughts then make a purchase at southwest reef. Then at least you will be informed, otherwise I feel they will just try to sell what they have. They dont seem to really worry about advancing the hobby in this area. We are trying to get a reef meeting started in the area to help one another and exchange ideas. Greg