newish to marine hobby

Hi


I just joined here and have posted in the hello section.

I just need some advice to be pointed in the right direction and as most LFS want to make £$ then I decided here was the best place to get some knowledge.

I have read through a lot of the posts here and got some great info. but here we go .

I have kept tropical freshwater fish for 18 years and currently have a 190L corner tank fully planted and a few fish in it - I have a 404 external fluval filter as well as a uv filter - twin lights - the tanks own filter / air pump and co2 system.

I would say I would be right and clued up on keeping fish and know all about the cycle - filter maintenance / water changes and water chemistry for keeping tropical. I have not lost a fish due to disease or poor water quality for many years now.

I did have setup a small marine tank years ago - but the LFS did not give me enough good advice and I ended up with a monster anemone that died and polluted the whole setup - so being frustrated I gave that up./

I can get the salt water mix right , know about protien skimmers and filtration and lighting as most of its basically the same as tropical.

now I want to set up a marine tank with a few bits of rock and the common clown - maybe a few shrimps / tubeworms and a few other bits a pieces - I dont really want to go full blown reef and I know you will all say I will get the bug and go that way eventually - At this time finances are not great and I dont have the money to pour into it.

One of my friends gave me a hang on red sea prizm skimmer for free as he used to keep marine and then sold up everything but this. I also have a few canister filters and a uv filter from my tropical fish keeping hobby.

The last time I set up the marine tank with basic coral sand and tuffa rock - then after reading here I am confused as everyone is talking about the need for live sand and live rock ?

1. first question is what size of tank for clowns ? would something round 90L - 100L do ?

2. could I keep more than one common clown like maybe 4 of 5 ? or could I only buy a mated pair ?
(also I read someones post about anemomes should be left in the sea - I would really like a small one but is this wise ?

3. would the equipment I have be ok - or do i need a better filter ?
(what else would I need )

4. do i need live sand and live rock - or will tuffa rock and coral sand do ?

thanks for the starting info - appreciated.

Dave

 

Good luck and welcome to the addiction! Key is to go SLOW, do not try to make it your dream over night

 

thanks for the info - greatly appreciated.

I got myself a free red sea prizm skimmer off a friend and getting a 25 gallon tank with t5 lighting (which I hope to change the bulb to a marine one - I also have a small internal uv filter.

So If I get say a few kg of tuffa rock and say a few bits of live rock and coral sand with a few cups of live sand .

And then get some ready made water from my new LFS which is the best in Northern Ireland - then after I cycle for 8 weeks I will be go to go with my first fish ?

If I have the live rock and sand would a canister filter be good to have running as well ?

or do I need a filter ?

thanks again

Dave

 

just to update

I am now getting a Juwel 120 Litre tank.

coming with all the necessary bits and pieces - so when I get set up I will have a read at cycling the marine tank and go from there.

thanks