New Setup for 30 Gal Tank

[kronikwisdom]

1st time poster - long time reader...


I'm just starting my first saltwater tank and need some advice on a protein skimmer and possible more water flow. I purchased the tank used and is a 30 gallon with an eclipse 3 hood. The filtration is what came witht he tank including the bio-wheel. I have replaced the bio-wheel and fliter because it has not been in use for some time. The lighting has been upgrade slightly to the Smartpaq 65w (10,000k/460nm) retrofit from current usa. I have looked into different protein skimmers and the bak-pak 2 is one some people have been able to retrofit with this hood. I do have 1-2" of live sand and aprox. 20lbs of live rock - no fish and the levels look good to me. The reviews of this product vary, and I would like a 2nd opinion. Is this protien skimmer worth its price and what kind of water flow should i been looking into.?!? thank you..

 

[Jolieve]

I really highly recommend the aqua c remora skimmers. I've heard good things about the bak-paks, but I think they are too small for you tank. For your size tank, remoras do an amazing job.

Also, there are two things in your tank that are going to be the life's blood of your animals as far as equipment goes. Your lights and your skimmer. Don't skimp on either one. A good skimmer is going to cost money, but in the long run it will be so worth it because you won't waste time or money on a cheaper skimmer that did not do the job, and trust me.. cheaper skimmers don't do the job. I learned that the hard way.

As far as the flow, you'll want to turn the tank over about 10-15 times per hour depending on the corals you want to keep in the future, so you'll probably want a couple of powerheads that will do about 300 gallons per hour between them. You can also include any filters, and your skimmer in that amount of flow. For powerheads, I like the maxijets and minijets. They work very well for the price and I've have mine for three years now, haven't had a break down yet after that much continuous use.

Good luck!
J.

 

[Anonymous]

:welcome:

I've got to disagree with Jolieve on the CPR, they actually are pretty good skimmers for up to 60 gallons, depending on the bioload. But to make up for that I totally agree on not pinching pennies on lighting and the possible need for more circulation.

Before I spew any more recommendations Kronik what are you planning in terms of livestock/corals/fish/inverts for you tank? That'll help us to steer you in the right direction. Always setup a tank's equipment with your "must have" and "most demanding" livestock picked out and build around that requirement.

It saves a lot of grief later when you figure out you needed 'X' to keep what you wanted most in your tank alive.

 

[kronikwisdom]

Thanks for the quick response on the skimmers, I probable end up spending the extra money on the better of those two. What I would like to ultimately have in the tank is as follows:

1-2: clown fish
1: dottyback
1: starfish
1: lawnmower blenny
2-3: decorator crabs
1-2: mushroom coral
1-2: zoos polyps

Now, this is what I would LIKE to have, realistically I'm sure only a few coral's and polyps will fit.

 

[Anonymous]

FWIW, I'd worry about the pair of clowns mixing it up with the Dottyback, I'm not sure I have those two species in a 30 gallon tank. Dottybacks are somewhat agressive and a mated pair of clowns can be nasty! The blenny should be fine, his lil fangs will keep the others away.

 

[kronikwisdom]

Well I would atleast like to have one clown, what mix would your recommend then?!?

 

[Anonymous]

Well I would atleast like to have one clown, what mix would your recommend then?!?

If a pair is what you want, get a pair LOL! But just think about maybe making them your centerpiece fish, and stick with the blenny for comic relief.