starting a new tank (newbie)

[nycsicktank]

First whats up girls and guys!
I want to start a saltwater tank, i was thinking to go for a 10 gal. reef tank if thats possible with a single fish or more if i can. my questions are:
what i do need for reef tank only? i know i need specific light, but what kind of lights?
how hard is it?
can i use my Aqua Clear 50 for filter?
can i get also get a list of reef tank and fish requirement.

remember its a 10 gallon or is it better if i went with 75 gallon.

 

[deelucky]

on that size setup i would go with t-5s,as far as skimmer you might not need one if you do regular water changes,but i would get one anyway,you can use the aqua clear filter to run carbon without the sponge.you can get your self some live sand ,live rocks,and power heads for circulation.a tank that small will only be able to house 2 or 3 smal fish e.g. clown coby,clown fish. i think thats basically it it and if i missed something there are plenty of people that will let you know.oh and most important a test kit,salt.

 

[manyfish]

if you could do it go with 75 gallon, that just me, more room to work with,setup 10 gallon few week later you want to go bigger

 

[thirty5]

IMO it is easier to work on a bigger tank. On a small tank if your levels start to get outta wack you have to "Be on top of it" fast. But with a larger tank the levels will not skyrocket "as fast" I have a 180 gallon an once it is up and running, i only have to do a water change. I dont even clean my glass, snails do that for me.

I would say go with the 75 if you have it already.

If you don't, i actually have a 72 bow that i am looking to get rid of.
Have the tank, wooden stand, Wet Dry filter, UV steralizer, BASIC light strip. So basically all you would need to get my setup runnint right is a new set of lights and a skimmmer. PM me if you are intersted.

 

[crox99]

Welcome to MR.:smoker:

 

[autoponicz]

welcome....the first thing is deciide on what size tank your gonna keep.....then u can look into hang on filters or a sump...lighting...etc...etc.....

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

Small tank is more challenge than larger tanks due to temp controll and water stability. However, it's not impossible to do a 10G reef. For a 75G you can do aquascaping easier but will cause you a lot more money to fill it up. Rocks alone is couple hundreds more and light is another couple hundreds to 3/4 of a thousand more, then the skimmer is hahahaha.

The smallest one I ever built for SW
http://aquaprobuilder.sunsun-usa.com/Gallery/displayimage.php?album=5&pos=0

 

[Awibrandy]

Welcome to the family!:grouphug: Lots of great advice, and people here.
Go with the largest tank you can comfortably afford, you won't regret it.
Tank, stand, sump, skimmer, water pump, power heads, heater, thermometer, test kits, lighting (depends on what animals you plan to keep), chiller or A/C, RO/DI filter, water "Automatic Top Off", doser, that is a small list of equipment must have in my opinion. Then sand, live rock. Tons of patience. You will need to wait before adding any animal until your tank cycles possibly 2 months or more.
Whatever you decide, please put PATIENCE at the top of your list. Without patience you will kill the animals, feel like a loser, and end up quitting.
This is an awesome, greatly satisfying "hobby". Hobby in quotation because to me it is more then a hobby, it is a way of life.

We are not trying to scare you away. We are just trying to let you know what you can honestly expect. Make sure to check out the "For Sale Forum" here. The easiest way to save on money, and still have a decent set up. I for one got my lighting (MH with VHO for $200 not including bulbs) just to give you an idea on the $$ savings.

 

[thirty5]

Very Well Stated!!!!

 

[Dj Orion]

why dont you just go for an all in one nano like an jbj 12 gallon dx or aquapod? All you would have to do is a few minor modifications and you'd be ready to roll. The only setback is that you wouldnt be able to grow SPS or clams in it with the stock lighting. I have a 12g jbj nano and it looks great, and its actually easier to maintain than my 75g fish only tank. I have a ton of mushrooms and assorted softies that more than meet my reef requirements.

Whatever you decide to do, welcome and the best of luck to you!!! And if you have any questions whatever route you decide to take, everone here is always willing to help however they can.

 

[EmilyT]

Welcome to mr! :hug:
dont make a mistake by rushing into it. buy a few books, read around the forums, and ask questions! research alot before you even think about what type of tank to get. theres alot more to know than that. check with us before you do anything. that way you will come into the hobby knowing what you are doing. patience is key! a nano would be a nice fit for you if you aren't into plumbing and DIY stuff. but they do require lots of attention. see you around!

 

[wilrock101]

All well said by the mr members.You should find out how much money you have to spend.That should give you an idea of how big or small you could go.Do look into the market place of MR; for I, have saved alot of money buying things from mr members.This beautiful hobby can become quite expensive.I started out with a 10g then a 20g and now a 37g.Now I, would certainly like to go bigger but I, live in a small apartment.BUt God knows all the money I, spent for not making a budget in the begining.I spent alot of money on lighting systems and so on.........So sit down and really think of how much you want to spend and the space you have for this future tank :biggrin:

 

[reefman]

welcome to MR!
before u decide to spend any $, read this n learn more about this hobby.
don't think getting a small tank will be easier. in some ways, it is but other ways it may be harder. the most important is arm yourself with knowedge n u will succeed. this is definitely not an easy hobby.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Welcome to MR. Glad to see you joined and are asking the right questions.

Small tanks are ok if you know what you're doing. They bill these nano tanks as small and easy to take care of but they aren't. In my aquapod I test my water everyday and do water changes more frequently. The volume of the water change is just smaller in comparison to my old 55. In smaller tanks water parameter fluctuations are more severe because of the smaller volume of water present.

Well good luck with what you decide, grab a few books and do alot of online research and we'll be here to help you along the way.

Just be sure if you are asking for advice that you are ready to hear the truth and accept it.

 

[dabgood21]

If you really want a tank that small (which I don't recommend, the bigger they are, the easier to take care of) you should buy a nano cube setup. It will come with the proper lighting etc.... You can find them all over the internet, maybe even on Ebay. You should just Google it and find the best price. In a tank that small you won't need a skimmer. You just have to do weekly or bi-weekly water changes of 25%.
Have Fun!

 

[nycsicktank]

thanks to all of you guys
now im just thinking which one i should go for.
like dabgood21 said...doing w/c every week or once in awhile wont hurt me.
i would first like to start off with FO cause its easier than reefs, then reef later on, until i get more comfortable with this hobby. I really want angel fishes: Dwarf Angelfish, Blue Girdled Angelfish, Imperator Angel Red Sea, or Majestic Angel. (so far for now.)
of course ill go for my 75 if you guys think i can get in hands of one of them =)

 

[nycsicktank]

If you really want a tank that small (which I don't recommend, the bigger they are, the easier to take care of) you should buy a nano cube setup. It will come with the proper lighting etc.... You can find them all over the internet, maybe even on Ebay. You should just Google it and find the best price. In a tank that small you won't need a skimmer. You just have to do weekly or bi-weekly water changes of 25%.
Have Fun!

doing weekly or bi-weekly w/c of 25% wont hurt me at all.

 

[nycsicktank]

omg this forum messed me up twice already.. i wrote down so many stuffs and now i have to rewrite everything.
To make Long to Short: i want to start FO with angels
heres my list: Blue Angelfish, Blue Line Angel, Blueface Angelfish. Cortez Angel, Flame Angel, Imperator Angel, Imperator Angel Red Sea, Majestic Angel, Passer Angel,

for easy fish in my 75 gal with reef (later on) which one would be the best one for me?

 

[ellebelle]

Have you read up on the angelfish? Most angelfish are MODERATELY reef safe at best. You have a bunch on your list that will happily eat all of your corals if you decide to move from FO to reef (as you seem to want to do.)

 

[reefman]

i'm afraid none r good if your planning to add to a reef. all angels r risky. some more than others.
even with a FO, aggression with similar size, similar color pattern angels n over stocking is a common problem with angels. I've learned the hard way so don't go down my path.