Planning my setup & need help

[amglori]

I'm planning my first "real" saltwater tank. I've kept freshwater planted tanks for about 5 years, and two years ago I did a very simple saltwater setup (10 gal with a blue damsel, a peppermint shrimp, & mushrooms) but I gave it away when I had to move last year.

Anyway... I was lucky enough to have won a 150-watt Outer Orbit pendant light. I just got it in the mail Monday. I decided that this is a great excuse to have another go at keeping a saltwater tank, and this time really do it "right".

As I said, the only piece of the puzzle that I have so far is the light (but it's a great start!). I'm thinking of either doing a 15 gal, 16 gal bow-front, or a 20 gal high tank. I'm heavily leaning toward a 16 gal bow-front if I can find one locally. (I'm just fond of the look of bow-fronts.) Would these tanks be OK for using with the pendant light?

And any recommendations as to what should I be looking at as far as a skimmer/filtration? That's the part I'm the most confused about, so I'm trying to do more research and could really use opinions.

 

[Brian5000]

With just the single pendent, you could definately support up to a 30 gal (30 inch long) tank. I'm not sure about 40 gallons (36 inch long) and I think 55 and up are too long and you would need 2 pendants.

A skimmer and live rock is all you really need for filtration along with a powerhead or two for circulation. I'm not sure what skimmer brand works best for smaller tanks, just don't get a prism or seaclone (I'm sure you've already read that in this forum).
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what is an economic recession?

 

[cindre2000]

Go with a cube! The added depth is so much easier to work with.

As for setup. You need to decide whether to go sumpless or not. I would suggest going with a sump and a larger tank to keep the light from heating the tank to much. Too much heat is a common problem for small sumpless setups- especially with that kind of lighting.

 

[mr_X]

what are you going to keep in this tank?
i don't think a 30 gallon tank with a 150 watt halide above it is a good home for some corals and clams and such. will this be a reef tank?
if you are to keep the more light demanding of animals, you might go with the 16 gallon bowfront.
and i agree, a sump will make your tank more forgiving, by increasing the total water volume.

 

[amglori]

Thanks for the suggestions! Unfortunately I can't go with something as large as a 30 or 40 gallon, at least right now. I live in an upstairs apartment and they don't let us have anything larger than 20 gallons. (Not to mention, I don't really have the space for anything too big right now anyway.) I'm really leaning toward a 16-gallon bow front or a 20-gallon high.

mr_X -- Yes, I'm hoping to do a reef tank. I'm still in the learning stages, so I haven't planned it all out (which is why I signed up with this forum and am researching before I buy the rest of my equipment) but I'd love to keep some corals.

So it looks like I should go with a sump setup? I'm off to research those! Thank you!!