Newbie Questions

[jschoon]

WOW! What a great forum. I have been reading thru it for about a week and barely scratched the surface. I have already learned a ton and want to thank everyone for the vast store of knowledge contained here.

I have a few questions particular to my new setup. I hope you can help me or at the very least point me in a direction for help.

That being said, here is what I have so far...

38 gallon glass
Whisper 30-60 filter at about 300+/- gph
2" crushed coral bed
10 lbs LR in tank (10 lbs still curing in isolation)
heated to 79-80 degrees
24" 20w GE Aqua Rays fluorescent light
2 nocturnal blue LED night lights
1 curly cue (found on LR and doing well - eating frozen brime every 3 days)

Questions---
1. For a FOWLR tank is this lighting enough? I see that lighting can be very expensive, is there a DIY suggestion?
2. For this set up is the filtration adequate?
3. Is a sump really needed for this? I really like what MELEV has on his site and would be interested in a DIY. Where in the St. Louis Missouri area can I get the materials? (acrylic?)
4. Will snails and hermit crabs get along well with the curly?
5. Will the curly host a clown or do I need to get a BTA?

thanks in advance,
Joe

 

[Anonymous]

:welcome:

I would recommend a protien skimmer
The whisper filter can be good for flow but dump the media if you have LR.

If its FOWLR you should be OK with the lights.

If you want a BTA you will need intense lighting.

I do not like blue leg hermits because I fould they kill the snails. The emerald crabs I have had luck with though.

 

[Anonymous]

In answer to your questions

1. For a FO your lights are fine
2. I would suggest getting a good hang on back skimmer and a little more flow.
3. You sould be fine with out a sump. I find a sump a good place to hide equipment, but not necessary on small tanks
4. Snails and hermits will not have an issue with and anem. They may have problems depending on the fish you decide to stock.
5. You do not need an anem to have a clown. If you get an anem you should get better lighting first.

 

[jschoon]

Mark
Rob,

Thanks for the insight. I have looked at the SeaClone SCPS 100 and the Super Skimmer Needle Wheel 65. I have read the reviews on both and they seem pretty much equal. Would you recomend one over the other or something different?

Joe

 

[SnowManSnow]

i dont think many would recommend the seaclone... i would steer another direction CLEAR of the seaclones!

Your best HOT skimmer IMO will be the AquaC Remora

b

 

[Anonymous]

:welcome:

I don't think crushed coral is a very good substate. Too much stuff gets clogged up in it.

Louey

 

[Anonymous]

...1 curly cue (found on LR and doing well - eating frozen brime every 3 days)

Be very sure that's NOT a large aiptasia (rather than a "regular" anemone) on your rock! Those things are brutal to get rid of!

 

[jschoon]

I will try to get a good clear pic of the curly for ID. I do not yet have a fast and fancy camera so it might take a few shots to get it right.

Joe

 

[jschoon]

I will try to get a good clear pic of the curly for ID. I do not yet have a fast and fancy camera so it might take a few shots to get it right.

Joe

Here is a pic of the curly...

 

[jschoon]

I will try to get a good clear pic of the curly for ID. I do not yet have a fast and fancy camera so it might take a few shots to get it right.

Joe

Here is a pic of the curly...

This time I will attach the pic :roll: