What should be my first purchases?

[jimrawr]

I am about to get started with my first tank, and I am looking at a 30 gallon bowfront tank from the local Petco.

After I have the tank, what should be my first purchases? I am thinking the filter, lighting, substrate, protein skimmer, live rock, IO salt, testing equipment.

Is that enough to get started or am I forgetting something? Then once its up and running I will start to research the fish/coral i would like to add but I dont think I will have more than 2 fish and couple coral since the tank is pretty small..

 

[jimrawr]

Also, is 30 gallons OK without having a sump? How often will I need to be doing water changes and what kind of problems could I run into with this size tank?

 

[Illuminati]

Don't forget the heater, salinity reader (might be in your testing equipment section) and any powerheads or pumps.

 

[jimrawr]

The tank will be in my room which is usually around 70 degrees, so I am not sure that I need a heater. I could be way off though.

What is the temp the tank should be at? I havent really started to research all the parameters yet for the tank

Also what exactly is a powerhead/pump?

 

[jamynsdad]

get a heater

 

[jimrawr]

Is there somewhere I can read reviews for all thr different equipment? I dont want to buy stuff that doesnt work very well, but as I am new to the hobby I dont know much about the name brands andd products..

 

[Illuminati]

Check out drfostersmith.com
They have great info on products.

You need a heater, I keep my setup at 82, some keep it closer to 80.

A powerhead is a water circulator. You can do a few things like get 2 and setup a wave timer so they create some random flow throughout the tank.

 

[jimrawr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8780678#post8780678 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by colinadam
Check out drfostersmith.com
They have great info on products.

You need a heater, I keep my setup at 82, some keep it closer to 80.

A powerhead is a water circulator. You can do a few things like get 2 and setup a wave timer so they create some random flow throughout the tank.

Doesnt the filter work as a water circulator? Is this definantly needed in 30 gallon tanks or is it something that some people use and others dont?

 

[Illuminati]

Yeah the filter will move some water but I doubt it will move enough. Might need 1 more powerhead in there for flow.

 

[Cshradr7]

I'd say skip the filter and spend the money on getting a better skimmer and a heater. you'll definatly need a heater and in comparison with the entire cost of the hobby, its worthwhile to get a nice one. they really aren't very expensive if you buy one online. if you have a petsmart near you they'll match their online price for salt if you print off the website thing with price on it. it'll save you like $10 per bucket or more from the store price. you should look into either getting an RO/DI water unit or figure out where you can buy RO water and how to get it home. Oh yeah, petsmart has better prices on tanks also, or at least in minnesota they do. depending on the corals your looking at, the lights can get pretty pricy. I'd recommend getting a good book and reading it cover to cover and doing as much research as possible before buying all the equipment and getting the tank going.

good luck and cant wait to see it

 

[jimrawr]

is a protein skimmer really needed from the get-go? I think at first I will only have 1 or 2 fish max, and maybe 1 or 2 coral but no more than that.

Is the protein skimmer needed to sustain good water quality with such a low bio-load? I mean eventually I will get one but I am not sure its one of the things I should be looking to buy right from the begining.

Thanks again guys, really appreciate the responses

 

[Reef5]

You can always get one later, when you decide to add more fish. I have seen many tanks W/O skimmers. Just LR and powerheads

 

[AVALover5498]

How long have you been researching saltwater aquariums?

 

[phenom5]

How long have you been researching saltwater aquariums?

exactly...my suggestion for a first purchase would be a good reef book. taking your time & planning will pay off in the end...or come back to bite you in the *** if you don't spend enough time researching/ planning like i did on my first tank.

JMO cheers. :beer:

 

[jimrawr]

Just a few weeks now but I am not in a rush to buy a system yet.. Wont even have the available funds for another month or so.. will keep trying to learn more in that time