very new here

[ladyfsu]

Hi,

I'm going to be teaching marine biology but am VERY new to aquariums. I have 2 55-gallon tanks and about 10 other tanks of various smaller sizes. None of these have hoods, filters, powerheads etc. For one of the 55's I spent my own money and bought an Emperor 400 bio-wheel, live sand and rock, thermometer, and a powerhead (I still don't have a light ) . The purpose of this tank is to display our local critters from the Gulf. I have a collector's permit to keep some things, but its been to chilly to go out...that's all getting ready to change.

So far I have many hermits from the beach, 5 quarter size starfish, 2 pipefish, an emerald crab, a small perch and some little minnow. Hopefully the sea grasses will fill up with cool things soon. Some of the other tanks I'll be setting up though will be a little fancier though. I want a reef tank, a nice salt tank, my local organism tank, a brackish water tank.

OK while we're getting our fundraising going...

PLEASE REMEMBER I'M DOING TANKS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES and aren't trying to make them pretty necessarily. These are some of my questions.

1. Does an HVO light need to have a florescent light with it?
2. Does live rock need an HVO light?
3. What are the BARE neccessities for a reef tank?
4. What eats sea cucumbers?


I've had millions of questions I'm asking the guy I bought my tank cleaners from but have forgotten some now. He's been great but I ask him too much. I'll be posting up alot as they come to me. I really appreciate any advice I can get.

P.S. - If you know any way for me to find cheap or used powerheads and all that other gear I need, please pm/email me! Nets, testers etc. I can use all the help I can get.

Thanks!

 

[tanker]

Re: very new here

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6962044#post6962044 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ladyfsu

1. Does an HVO light need to have a florescent light with it?
2. Does live rock need an HVO light?
3. What are the BARE neccessities for a reef tank?
4. What eats sea cucumbers?

Thanks!

1) HVO is a florescent light (think it is VHO), just one type.
2) No, all it realy needs is SW and flow.
3) Tank, SW, a skimmer, LR (FO you can use a filter instead), test kits/equipment.
4) Aside from people...not sure.

 

[AngeloM3]

for powerheads and other "drygoods" you can try:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=2

also marinedepot.com and liveaquaria.com have pretty good prices on drygoods

also if your doing fish only tanks... you dont need strong lighting. you could use the lights that come with hoods for tanks

 

[Paintbug]

this article will help you get started. http://www.reefcentral.com/modules.php?s=&name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=1

now for your questions:
1. i think you mean VHO (very high output). they are a type of florescent light. they come in different Kelvins thou. for most setups you will want to have balanced white(10,000K) and Actinics (blue 420nm). if you use a 2 bulb setup you would want 1 of each.

2. LR doesnt need VHO lighting to remain LR. it really doesnt need much lighting at all. they corals, and algaes do however.

3. bare minimum:
1. for a 55g would be some good PC lights, cheaper up front but more expensive in the long run. other options for lighting would be VHO, Metal Halide, and T5 setups. all are more expensive up front but much better lighting, and cheaper in the long run.
2. about 60-75lbs of LR
3. a decent skimmer. a Coralife Super Skimmer Needle Wheel 125g skimmer will do the trick, and they are not the most expensive.
4. test kits. first just a basic kit with ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and PH. you will also need something to check the salanity of the water. i recommend getting a refractometer vs. a hydrometer. a little more up front but much more accurate.

4. i dont know of any natural preditors of sea cucumbers, other than some other seacucumbers. most release toxins when being attacked that preditors dont find tasteful.

you are starting off good by asking questions first!! and you never know how much a fish tank in the classroom may effect a student! my biology teacher set up a SW tank for use to take care of, and study. ever since i have been addicted to aquariums!! its kept me out of alot of trouble im sure LOL