NEWBI, and boy do i need help

[skippy23]

OKAY
im a newbi, about as newbi as they come i got $500 and want to do a cube
other than that im dumb as to what to do, if never dun a fish tank at all and i love salt water tanks, id like to have something small (just because of money, but the bigger the better) and id like to keep 2 MAYBE 3 fish and mostly soft coral and a clam (love them) i just want it too be viberant and colorful and i noticed soft corals are just that BUT any suggestions ARE appreciated (very much so)

basically i think this is absolutely beautiful and what im looking to achieve (hopefully)

 

[Newreeflady]

Clams generally require metal halide lighting and specialized feeding (live phytoplankton.) Do the research on them before planning your system if that is an absolute must for you. There is a forum accessible from the main page that is dedicated to them.

That said, I wouldn't recommend a clam to you if you are just starting out. But, if your heart is set, do the research and see if you can plan your tank for this. The other species in that picture are relatively easy save the one sps coral, but i've been successful with keeping that species in pc light, they just grow more slowly than under halide.

I would skip the pom pom xenia in the middle of that tank (the pink) it will outgrow everything else and continue to spread on the adjacent rocks. If you really want it, have an isolated rock (one that only contacts sand) for it.)

Most of those corals would do fine in high pc lighting (power compact) and you could easily purchase the equipment to support them for around $300 (you'll have to buy supplies such as salt, meters, heater, test kits, etc in addition to the aquarium. The livestock can cost you nearly the same. The setup for the clam will probably exceed your limit.

-A

 

[skippy23]

thanks
as far as the clams go im not SET on having them
im not really set on anything right now
just looking for good advice i guess lol
but i do want my tank to be "pretty" as to say but im sure thats what everyone wants
but like i said as of right now im just looking for good advice
and recomended tanks and parts and such.
thanks again

 

[Newreeflady]

That's cool. You will have a much better experience and will have a product of your own imagination if you keep an open mind. You CAN have a beautiful nano tank for that price! I am looking to set up a 12g nanocube dx myself here shortly. I've kept a variety of systems (2.5g,10g,29g,40g,65g) before and I agree, these are something special! I have a thread on here that you are welcome to follow to inspire ideas for your own. It takes a while to have a system that is stable enough for coral.

Order of operations:

-You have set a budget, that's more than most people... good!

-Choose what size you want (smaller can sometimes be more difficult. Do you leave town often? Can a friend "top-off" your tank with water while you're gone?)

-Consider species goals and lighting requirements. Most of those would grow fine in something like the nanocube 12g dx tank with stock lighting or the Aquapod 12g system. Can you reasonably forget the clam? There are plenty of other gorgeous corals that you CAN keep in such a system with those other corals. Fish are another consideration, I wouldn't recommend more than 2 small fish in a 12g system. And, make sure they are compatible (find ones you like, then ask here!) If fish are a big part of your goal, you might consider a larger (20-30g) system where you can house 3-5 small or two-three medium fish.

-Look for deals on the tank, or try to find it locally so you don't have to pay shipping if possible. You need a stand for it as well, these can weigh a great deal filled so consider that before throwing it on something like a bookshelf

-Find an online supplier with reasonable prices for:
*hydrometer
*salt
*heater
*thermometer
*test kits
*substrate
and anything else you think you might need.

-You will need substrate for your tank (some type of aragonite based sand is good.) Decide the depth. Find and buy.

This should give you a good start. Keep up with my thread, I will post my purchases, too.

Good luck! You're off to a good start (think/ask before buying!)

-A

 

[randt122]

Try to get drygoods from classifeds forum. Much cheaper than online stores imo as well as getting the livstock. If you want something colorful and hardy, I recommend zoas and/or rics. They don't require mh lighting and do fine under pc lighting.

 

[gundo50001]

Start off slow and dont waste your money.

Read as much info as you can.

Buy frags and see how you do with them.

It a all about PATIENCE.

Good luck!

 

[Hunter_Cal]

as far as what the people above said, for clams you will need expensive lights, as for the rest of it, you can get a 24 gallon nano cube, for about 200, let it cycle for a few months with live rock, sand, and what not...you can probably stock it with 2-3 small fish and soft corals...there are alot of nice corals you can get with basic lights, ricordias, zoanthids, etc... my only advice is get ready to spend all your spare money like the rest of use do...you walk into a pet store, and you will never leave with nothing...good luck

chris

 

[skippy23]

wow thanks guys and ladies, youve been 20X more helpful than what i thought this is awsome

newreeflady - i can definitelly reasonably forget about the clam i dont want to risk the life of an animal because of my stupidity or lack of newbi powers lol
as for leaving town no i dont leave town much if at all (i live a boring life)
as far as tank size ill prob keep it small like under 20g and i like cubes so ill prob try to find a cube (i think ther neato)
and lighting, filtration, and other misc. no clue

like i said before i dont know much so i need u guys need to help me out
and i konw ive said this before but i just want to acheive a tank thats vibrant and beautiful

 

[skippy23]

OH
almost forgot
as far as inhabitants
i dont want to stress my tank so i dont really know what i can safely have
so u guys might want to help me there too

so i guess what im saying is
here's $500 dollars build me a tank lol
(if im $50 or $60 over its ok im not confind to exact amount)

 

[Cutiewitbooty]

you can get the metal halide aquapod set up for $349.99 and then you can keep some more of the higher light corals and clams. The tank you pictured has metal halide over it, thats why the corals look so nice and bright. If i remember right it's rockin's 10 gal tank with 150watt MH over it. Here is the link to the MH Aqua pod, it's still in your budget

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=13976&N=2004+62760

For fish here is a good list of nano fish. But you wont be able to get any fish or corals untill your tank is full cycled.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/scateg.cfm?pCatId=2124

 

[Wintermute]

Alright, no one has addressed the filtration issues you mentioned so here's the deal. Both the Aquapod and the Nanocube have built-in filtration chambers in the back. Basically, water pours over the top of the first chamber, then flows either under or over each additional chamber until it is pumped back into the tank. The only real difference between the two is the Aquapod has 4 chambers and the Nanocube has 3.

What most everyone here will recommend is to remove the included filter media as it usually becomes a nitrate factory over time. At least one of the chambers should be a refugium where you can have some LR rubble and macroalgae (this isn't required, but they sure help). What I recommend for the Nanocube is to have the first chamber contain LR rubble and macro algae (alot of places will give you rubble free if you buy some display rock). The second should house your heater, temp probe, top-off equip, etc. The last chamber will have your return pump and any chemical media you might want to run (i.e. chemipure or carbon if you wish). The Aquapod (my tank) has 4 chambers, so the first one just contains LR rubble, the second will be a fuge, third contains auto top-off/heater, fourth has return pump (Maxijet 900).

Personally, I do not see a need for a skimmer on a small tank like this because you're going to be doing regular water changes (weekly), which will remove lots of nutrients anyway. But I will leave that up to you; just realize it isn't as necessary as with a larger tank. That said, the Current USA Fisson skimmer is designed especially for these tanks and will fit in the filter chambers.

The main thing you really need in a SW tank is LR and water movement. Probably 95% of your water processing capability will come from your LR and sand. The rest will be from water changes, skimming, and chemical media. The rock will remove ammonia, nitrates and nitrites from the system, and your water changes will replenish the vital nutrients and minerals needed to keep your tank healthy. Plus plenty of water motion to keep detritus from settling and to ensure a good oxygen exchange.

Well I think that's about it. Just keep reading and move slowly. I rushed into this and then spent most of my time trying to undo things I did wrong in the first place.

 

[natureboy]

I would urge you to take a close look at your budget. I'm not saying that you won't be able to stay under $500, but to do so I think you'll need to buy some equipment used, maybe from a local reef club.

Take a look at my budget for an idea of costs. Obviously, you can cut out some things...

For more info on my aquarium, check out my blog:
natureboyaquarium.blogspot.comnatureboyaquarium.blogspot.com

 

[Newreeflady]

This is why I recommended he stick with a stock nanocube or pod. You then need substrate, rock, heater, test kits, salt, thermometer and stock. This will probably bring him near to his budget assuming he doesn't go buying everything at the lfs. Try to get involved in your community reef club. Then you can buy one or two things and trade amongst members which will give you a lot of small corals that will grow under the right conditions.

jmo, I would not buy the 300-400 nanocustoms tank. If you really must go custom, go used and upgrade... much cheaper.

-A