New to the saltwater world

[Mimi123]

Hi,
I've recently bought the new fluval flex and have decided to transition over to saltwater after many years keeping fresh.
It's 15 gallons and I've already started the cycle with live rock, I've also added sand but this isn't live (I've read it doesn't need to be since I've already got live rock). Anyways, I was just hoping you all could help me out with the set up.
Being a fluval tank it has an internal filter at the back, look up this tank on google and you'll understand what I mean when I say it has 3 sections, similar to a simp. The middle one is filled partially with the standard fluval sponge and carbon/biorings media. I've opted to keep the thermometer with the return pump.
My questions are:
1) should I use specifically other types of media?
2) do I need a skimmer? And which would fit?
3) I've been told to stick to a FOWLR system because the lights that come with the tank are not suitable for marine. Could I just keep softies then?
(Light specs are 11w, LUX: 2500, temp: 7500k)
4) what sort of stock would I be able to put in there?
5) any other suggestions/advice are welcome

Thanks!

 

[ncaldwell]

You'll be limited but there is some simple corals that should do fine in there. I'd bet some branching hammers or frogspawn would be fine. There are some pretty cool leather corals like lettuce that if you find some nice colors. Also with the size your limited to small nano fish, look into shrimp and goby combos. And of course the ever present clownfish, some of the designer clowns could be a nice showpiece

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

 

[Mimi123]

Thanks so much! Will look into those and I'm sure my lfs has then, they have a huge frag tank.
Yes, I forgot to mention I do want at least 1 clownfish. I'm sure everyone's first SW has one, right? They're so cute!
The store has different types but from what I've gathered I should stay away from the big tomato clownfish? Don't know if that's their proper name but they were labelled as such.
As for the goby, should I only get 1? Like 1 clown, 1 goby and 2/3 shrimp ( will any shrimp be ok? With freshwater you should only keep same species together).
Also is there some sort of sand sifter? I have a thick layer of sand and want it to get sifted through. (Rookie mistake, I know but I'm so used to having a thick bottom for my plants to root in my fresh water that I didn't even think about it until after it was filled).

 

[Mimi123]

Thanks so much! Will look into those and I'm sure my lfs has then, they have a huge frag tank.
Yes, I forgot to mention I do want at least 1 clownfish. I'm sure everyone's first SW has one, right? They're so cute!
The store has different types but from what I've gathered I should stay away from the big tomato clownfish? Don't know if that's their proper name but they were labelled as such.
As for the goby, should I only get 1? Like 1 clown, 1 goby and 2/3 shrimp ( will any shrimp be ok? With freshwater you should only keep same species together).
Also is there some sort of sand sifter? I have a thick layer of sand and want it to get sifted through. (Rookie mistake, I know but I'm so used to having a thick bottom for my plants to root in my fresh water that I didn't even think about it until after it was filled).

 

[Mimi123]

Oops

 

[ncaldwell]

Do you have a picture of your tank? Be good to see how much sand you're working with. Maybe something like a fighting conch would work. Pistol shrimp and a shrimp goby like a high fin, or randalls would add a little life and are fun to watch

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

 

[Scuba_Steve]

My best advice?

Think about cutting the hood for a small fixture. You can make it look clean. Also, a topoff integrated somehow will make your tank manageable. The biggest failure of newbies with small tanks is fast salinity changes due to evap in such a small system.

 

[Scuba_Steve]

Sand sifters in a small tank. Goby will sift plenty, and nassarius snails. One clown, one goby and a few shrimp is a good stocking. At least 2 peppermint shrimp because they eat aptasia, and you will have it.

 

[Mimi123]

Don't know how to put up a pic but it's around 3 inches of sand. I am stirring it myself every so often to make sure there's the least amount of air pockets but that pistol shrimp/ shrimp goby looks like a fun symbiosis! Might go for that. Would I still be able to get the peppermint shrimp too? I've decided I'll get some frogspawn and leather coral for now (or rather once it's time). By the way, should I add them before or after fish?

Scuba Steve- thanks for the advice but there is no way I'm cutting the lid! I would much rather get an appropriate LED strip light and silicone it to the lid or something. I'm not going to do that right now but maybe in the future, those lights are expensive. I'm not looking to get any hard corals just something that doesn't need a lot of fuss.

 

[ncaldwell]

I think the tank would be ready for fish before it's ready for lps corals but leathers can go in right after the fish, they like higher nutrient water (dirtier). Also with that amount of free space in the sand I wouldn't bother with anything specifically for stirring the sand. Doing it by hand should be more than enough. And definitely listen to Steve on the water evaporation. 1.025 can get high fast in a small tank

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

 

[Mimi123]

Ok, thanks. So you're saying it not a lot of sand?
As for evaporation, there is a honeycomb strip at the very top of the tank and I've figured that as long as water levels don't go below that line it's ok in terms of salinity and I am topping it up myself with plain RO water since I have no ideia how to make a top up system. I'm assuming you would need a sump of some sort and I don't have the space for that since the stand isn't meant to have a sump. But I do understand that it would be useful.
Also should I bother with a skimmer? I hear they're quite loud?

 

[[]V[]addog]

I have looked at that tank, the good news is the cover covers everything completely, nothing open, so that should cut down on evaporation.
but what the others are tryign to say is, the evaporation will swing your salt levels quickly, You still have evaporation, it just will show up in the back chambers. you will need to top of with fresh water often. just be aware of that.

I'm with everyone here, try some leathers first, if they are successful, maybe a frogspawn or hammer coral. GPS, devils hand, mushrooms,
Water changes will be so easy with the size of tank.
u wouldn't need a skimmer to start. and just play it by ear, if you see serious film on the top of the water, you may want to grab a micro skimmer.
they can be loud, but normally if tweaked properly, you can quiet them. and with the lid on this tank, it should help quiet it some.
ALso, keep the live stock count (fish) down. this will help the water you have int here last longer.

hope this helps