Success without Cash? Hmmmm...

[SnowManSnow]

Hi everyone,

I ran across your board today and just had to jump in! I've been keeping fresh water fish..discus...angels...firemouths for almost 10 years with a great degree of success, but have always wanted to goto a marine tank. So...I've started the pligramage.

I've turned by bedroom tank, a 29 gallon tank into salt water over the last week. I Have a substrate of Argonite, have a good filter (at least in fresh water terms that being a penguine hanging filter that is for up to 50 gallons) a couple of Rena pumps to handle water airation and movement, and of course a good heater. The lighting I have now will certainly NOT be adequate when I eventually goto live rocks then coral and eventually inverts, but I think it should be fine for a fish only tank.

Ive been running the tank with filter and air for 48 hrs now with appropriate salt added to a SG of 1.022 (I think thats the number). Temp is at 77F. The salinity is, of course, whatever the corresponding measurement is at 77F and 1.022 SG.

Ok here's the quardry. Listed above is basically all I have. For arguement's sake it's going to be all I have for some time. I'm thinking that for a fish only tank, as boreing as some of you may believe it is, this should be adequate. But then again I'm new to the marine aquarim

Shouldn't this work? What am I forgetting? What are some good first fish that allow for growth in the future?

Thanks!

B.

 

[Anonymous]

Welcome to RDO, Snow!

One thing I notice in your post is that you have airpump and air stone? You know that is not a good way to aerate the water since the saltcreep (dried saltwater) will be difficult to clean up.

One fish that you can try first is nasty damselfish. They are agressive, but their cheap price and hardiness should give you something pretty to start. Once you feel that you want to do more than a single blue damsel, then we can work with you to get your tank up to something more challengin.

 

[Anonymous]

Welcome SnowMan

My concern is no protein skimmer, you will probably have to change water more often. Damselfish are nice but you will not be able to have a lot of diversity because of how territorial they are.

 

[ChrisRD]

Hey and :welcome:

Maybe you could get a small powerhead or two for better circulation and use that airpump to drive a small airstone skimmer. They're very cheap, and if you're handy it's very easy to build your own.

What do you have in the tank in terms of cover for the fish? Any rockwork? If not, get a few pieces of live rock - gives the fish some hiding places, looks natural and provides some good filtration.

Also, get a book and start reading up on the fish you like (check my sig). Anything by Scott Michael is excellent for fish info...

Good luck with your new setup and HTH.

 

[SnowManSnow]

Thanks guys. I picked up 3 small DFs today to start my tank. I know that the opinions on the efficency of such a thing is a debated topic, but I also hit the aquarium with some storebought bacteria.

So I shouldn't use the airstone. Ok. Only powerheads? I'd love to pick up some live rock, but seens cost prohibitive. The best I've found is around $4 / lb. for Fiji rock from Pet Solutions. Any ideas where I can get some to get me started? Thanks for all your help!

Also, where can I check out an airstone skimmer?

 

[SnowManSnow]

OK one more post. Concerning live rock. Has anyone every bought from an EBay merchant. There are quite a few auctions for live rock, most at considerable savings compared to what I've seen.

Just currious.
B

 

[SnowManSnow]

here are some pics so you know what I'm up against. Yes, those are shells in the tank... that bad? I had them in a freshwater tank for a few years (all clean and such). 29 gallon....3 DFs, Airstone(soon to become powerhead), Argonite substrate, hang on filter. :lol:[/img]

 

[Anonymous]

For small amount of rock for a FO tank, I usually suggest people get it locally instead of having it shipped... just my 2 cents.

 

[mikesroth]

SnowManSnow,

Find your local Marine club and join up. I have found that the clubs in my area a really friendly, have tons of great advice, and are always willing to help out a new member (giving Rock, sand, etc... ).

Good Luck with your tank!!!

 

[SnowManSnow]

I'll do some research today on local clubs. Anyone have an idea? I'm in N. Ga. around ATL.. actually in Cartersville, if anyone knows where that is.

 

[Anonymous]

I'll do some research today on local clubs. Anyone have an idea? I'm in N. Ga. around ATL.. actually in Cartersville, if anyone knows where that is.

There is an Atlanta reef club. Here is the site for their forum. http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisp ... 9&x=10&y=5

 

[Anonymous]

Ebay may be cheaper but shipping would be costly, locally is best especially if fully cured.

 

[CaptainDave]

SnowManSnow, I've had a percula clown and valentini puffer living in a 20H for two years with no more equipment than you have (Penguin 330), and they're both fat and happy. I have a 50/50 bulb running on a regular NO hood. I added one piece of live rock about a year ago, and they did like that. The only problem I see is the lack of surface area in your tank for bacteria to grow on; if you decide against live rock at least buy some dead base rock to give your bacteria something to latch onto.

I'm just beginning my journey into the world of reef tanks, and am finding out that there's MUCH more involved with these types of tanks than with FO.

The main things to watch out for in a fish-only tank are keeping your SG stable and keeping your nitrates down through regular water changes. These two considerations are especially important considering your (and my) small tank sizes.

Good luck!! You already know more than I did when I started.

P.S. I also have some shells in my tank left over from when it was brackish.

 

[SnowManSnow]

I've come quite a way since my last post on this thread...

At this point I'm in a 37g tank (I know less than desireable.. but best I can do for now) with a AquaC Remora Skimmer powered by a MJ1200 pump... about 28 lbs of LR, 3 damsels, a MJ900 for water movement, about 1 inch of substrate (argonite) and a whole head full of ideas. Still learning, but have come a long way since the last post.

B.

 

[tazdevil]

Why would you say a 37 gallon is less than desirable? Yes, the bioload will be smaller than a 75 or 100 gallon, but that doesn't mean it will be any less interesting or "cool" a reef tank. A smaller tank, when money is an issue, is usualy cheaper to light and maintain than a larger one. Especially when your talking about high ligh demanding corals etc.

 

[HClH2OFish]

37 gal isn't less desirable at all!
I've got 3 SW tanks, a 25, a 15, and a 10 and all are doing great (except the 10 has bad cyano I'm fighting...it's a jellyfish tank so can't have high water flow)
My 25 has a clown and a 1/2 black pygmy angel. 25lb live rock, about 25lb live sand, 3 hermits, some snails and got tons of life in there.
Got clams, foraminifrens, bristelworms, hydroids, featherdusters...lol

Get some good LR in there and you'll see a *great* range of biodiversity in your tank.

Good luck! You're starting off on a very enjoyable hobby!

 

[Anonymous]

You are on your way to the ultimate natural high. You will be a God over your inhabitants. Stay the course....keep researching but keep things "simple" for now as you gather new knowledge.

 

[holry7778]

Sounds like your having fun Now

Good Luck and enjoy ever minute of it!

 

[Len]

Thread has been split to the GRD (http://reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=56988)

 

[Baianotang]

with out cash in this hobby? naaaa.