Potential newbie a little overwhelmed

[SillyDox]

Hello everyone, this is my first post!

The wealth of information on the internet is vast and overwhelming lol. I have a 55G tank I just purchased from Craigslist for $20 and I'm making a list of essential equipment for when I go to the LFS. At this time I'm planning on having a FOWLR tank and my first fish inhabitant I'm thinking of getting is a clown fish because they're just too darn cute.

My question for you all is when I go to the LFS what are the bare necessities that I need to get up and running? I'll post my list below, feel free to comment or make suggestions for both necessary equipment I need NOW and additional equipment that I can purchase later to make my life (or the fishes life) easier.

Lights
Heaters
Thermometer
Refractometer
Test Kit
Filtration

With that list in mind I have a few other questions. How much lighting does a clownish need? I do get really bright diffuse light in my apartment - bright enough actually to grow and flower higher light orchids.

I think I have heaters down, I'm planning on getting 2 100W adjustable heaters. Comments? Suggestions?

The thermometer I hope will be the easiest piece of this pie haha.

Refractometer - I'm still not sure exactly what this does but I'm almost positive it's necessary?

Test kit - I understand the importance of a good test kit, suggestions on brands/types?

Probably the most complex question of all for you guys.

I don't have the money for a protein skimmer at this moment, however, I don't believe it will be vital for a clown fish. I'm going to go the route of severely understocking until I get the hang of this.

I want a very easy filtration system, both to install and to maintain. I do not have a sump and to be honest, the thought of flooding from an HOB overflow or drilling the glass to minimize that risk is terrifying to me.

Will a HOB filter suffice? Recommendations?

Lastly... and possibly most important ... does anyone know where I can find some realistic looking fake anemones?? I just love the way they dance in the water but I know they are far above my knowledge to care for, at least at this point in time!

I sincerely appreciate any and all help in lessening my self imposed stress on these matters. I can't wait to just sit back and go for a "swim" in my little slice of the ocean. I may just throw my dog fish in right now and call it good!

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[billdogg]

Hello everyone, this is my first post!

The wealth of information on the internet is vast and overwhelming lol. I have a 55G tank I just purchased from Craigslist for $20 and I'm making a list of essential equipment for when I go to the LFS. At this time I'm planning on having a FOWLR tank and my first fish inhabitant I'm thinking of getting is a clown fish because they're just too darn cute.

My question for you all is when I go to the LFS what are the bare necessities that I need to get up and running? I'll post my list below, feel free to comment or make suggestions for both necessary equipment I need NOW and additional equipment that I can purchase later to make my life (or the fishes life) easier.

Lights - For a FOWLR, it really does not matter what lighting you choose. Think, instead, about what you might want to do down the road and plan for that so that you don't end up buying again and again. As for ambient lighting - it will promote algae growth so as a general rule it isn't used as a primary light source.
Heaters
Thermometer
Refractometer What it does is accurately measure the specific gravity of your saltwater - a number between 1.024 and 1.026 is what you should aim for. You can find one that is plenty good enough for $30-50
Test Kit although starting out with the initial cycle, something like a API or Red Sea master kit will work fine, eventually you will probably want to look at individual test kits. My personal preference is for Salifert - they are easy to use and have very reproducible results.
Filtration For a 55 you can get away with a HOB (hand on back) filter like a Marineland Emperor dual biowheel filter, and of course, the rock in the tank itself. Avoid canister filters if you can - they can become problematic if regular maintenance is not kept up.

With that list in mind I have a few other questions. How much lighting does a clownish need? I do get really bright diffuse light in my apartment - bright enough actually to grow and flower higher light orchids.

I think I have heaters down, I'm planning on getting 2 100W adjustable heaters. Comments? Suggestions?

The thermometer I hope will be the easiest piece of this pie haha.

Refractometer - I'm still not sure exactly what this does but I'm almost positive it's necessary?

Test kit - I understand the importance of a good test kit, suggestions on brands/types?

Probably the most complex question of all for you guys.

I don't have the money for a protein skimmer at this moment, however, I don't believe it will be vital for a clown fish. I'm going to go the route of severely understocking until I get the hang of this.

I ran my 60g cube for 22 years with a HOB filter, a canister, and a reactor for phosphate control. Especially in a lightly stocked FOWLR, a skimmer is not mandatory by any means

I want a very easy filtration system, both to install and to maintain. I do not have a sump and to be honest, the thought of flooding from an HOB overflow or drilling the glass to minimize that risk is terrifying to me.

Will a HOB filter suffice? Recommendations?

Lastly... and possibly most important ... does anyone know where I can find some realistic looking fake anemones?? I just love the way they dance in the water but I know they are far above my knowledge to care for, at least at this point in time!

Anything artificial will quickly become a magnet for algae growth and end up not looking right. IMHO, you are better served by gaining the knowledge and experience you need and getting the real thing

I sincerely appreciate any and all help in lessening my self imposed stress on these matters. I can't wait to just sit back and go for a "swim" in my little slice of the ocean. I may just throw my dog fish in right now and call it good!

Sent from my htc_m8 using Tapatalk

Welcome to the hobby, and KEEP ASKING QUESTIONS! If you haven't found them yet, the stickies at the top of this page contain a wealth of very useful information that I consider to be a must-read.

 

[gallegos]

It's a good start. For a fowlr you don't need any specific lights. Lights are more of a Reef issue. Also for fowlr an API test kit will be fine. You don't have to worry about anything but ammonia, Nitrite and nitrates. Refractometer is to test your salinity which should be 1.025 in a fowlr. For heaters I recommend ehiem heaters they are great and not too costly. As far as filter you will eventually want to get a sump to hide all the equipment. What you will want to do is instead of getting a hob filter, get a hob skimmer. A remora skimmer is what I'd recommend. That will get you going! When you get a sump you can add filter socks for additional filtration

 

[dweber618]

One thing you didn't mention is your water source. Tap water will do you no favors. It's usually worthwhile in the hobby to buy a good RO/DI unit to produce good water. Buying water can get expensive.

 

[heathlindner25]

All you need is good live rock and nice powerheads, the bio wheel or anything on the back filtration is unnecessary, unless it's an HOB skimmer..... that I would suggest

 

[CindyK]

I'm brand new too, so i have no wisdom to add...except that's a very happy looking pug (Ours is 11 years old)

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[SillyDox]

Thank you all for tips and recommendations! One thing I
did forget is salt mix. What would be a good mix for a FOWLR but not be outrageously expensive?

Thanks everyone!

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[Tisbe]

Any salt mix will work for a FOWLR. You only need to be choosey if you are trying to get a mix that has extra elements to help support corals which you do not have in e FOWLR.

 

[ljosh]

The best filter for your fowlr is the the liverock and good flow. Easy maintenance and nothing else required. You didn't have any powerhead pumps on your list.

With some decent fully cycled liverock you will not need any hob equipment for fish only.

 

[SillyDox]

Thank you all for the tips, I sincerely appreciate all your help. I can't wait to get this up and running. Now, I know it's strongly discouraged to use tap water, however, I live in Eugene, Oregon and we have exceptionally good water. I am not new to testing and using water, though I'm used to using the water for orchids rather than fish but even my most water picky of orchids take to my water beautifully. The LFS told me that they too use our tap water for their fish only tanks but they use RO/DI water for their inverts and tanks with corals.

I think I will go with Instant Ocean for salt mix!

Thanks again everyone, I'm going to with on my tank stand so next week I can start cycling my water. Eek!

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[heathlindner25]

Many people use tap.....I never would.

 

[Kentech5]

Instant Ocean is a good affordable salt. Keep an eye out for deals as it often goes on sale online.


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[SillyDox]

The best filter for your fowlr is the the liverock and good flow. Easy maintenance and nothing else required. You didn't have any powerhead pumps on your list.

With some decent fully cycled liverock you will not need any hob equipment for fish only.

Thanks for this tip, I've been putting more thought into circulation. For getting this tank up and running, what kind of powerhead do you recommend? Do I need a few or will one do?

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[heathlindner25]

Check out the rw series

 

[Tisbe]

If you use tap, get the water logs from your water provider, most post them online. This way you will have general idea how clean the water has been for the last year or so.