Hi Everyone/Advice/Noobie

This is my first post (and not my last). I've always loved the ocean, but recently I decided that I should create a salt water tank. As a kid I've had freshwater tanks where I've had goldfish (even successfull mating) and grew tadpoles into frogs. Now I'm ready for the big leagues!!

My question is what is a good sized tank for me to start with? I'm currently more interested in having a reef aquarium with a clown fish/gobi and a crab. My main constraint is moving. I am not in a permanent location, so hard would it be to move a salt water ecosystem since they are very fragile. I was thinking of starting with a 20G/30G tank.

Things I will need to start:

1) Live Sand
2) Base Rock

To start the ecosystem correct? I know that this is a long process and I am not in a rush, this is a new hobby and I want to do it right. How long does it take for bacteria to start to grow on base rock? Will moving an ecosystem such as I described be very difficult? What type of maintence is required and how often in this style?

Sorry for all the questions, but I am very excited.

 

Hi lxwarr30, I'm brand new too and in a similar boat. I'm moving in 3 weeks, fortunately only a few blocks away, but it's going to be a pain. I've got a 29 gallon and the tank alone is pretty damn heavy. Draining the water and transporting it back and forth is going to be a blast but I don't care, I really wanted to get the cycling process started!

Good luck to us both, I guess, I look forward to seeing you start yours up too!

James

 

Welcome to 3reef,

If you are not in a permanent residence yet than an ideal tank might be an, all in one tank (AIO). Biocube, nanocube and aquapod all come to mind.

The development of the biological filter varies from system to system, reasonably plan on 6-8 weeks. The biological filter will wax and wane in it's ability to process as you add live stock, hence the reason to initially add live stock slowly.

 

Ok. So I went home and found my old fish tank. My sister had turned it into a lizard's den. Check out the 'glue rings' left on the tank from the thermometer she was using.

Is it problematic to use a tank previously inhabited by fresh water fish/lizards? The tank is 12in x 10 in x 20 in. Not sure how many gallons that equates to but I think it is a nice size. I'm coming up with a list of things I need to purchase, please help me fill in the blanks. Also, check out the cool piece of dead coral I found out a beach once that I can now put to good use.

1) Sand
2) Live Rock
3) Bio-Spira ?
4) Heater
5) Reverse Osmosis Unit
6) 'Water fan'
7) Protein Skimmer
8) Lights

Are these the only things needed to make it functional (along with time)? Does anyone have suggestions for the dimensions of the unit I have?

 

That is a ten gallon tank. If copper was used at any time it would best to make it a Fish Only With Life Rock (FOWLR) tank. Otherwise clean it thoroughly with bleach since the lizard was in there, remove any calcium deposits with vinegar and rinse very thoroughly before using it.

 

Can someone fit two clown fish, a gobi and a small reef in a 10 gallon or is that too much?

 

Its possible, just not reccomended as a first time tank. If you can, maybe use that as a sump/fuge on like a 30 gallon? If its the only tank you can afford right now then things would be difficult. Took me a good 6 months to get my 14 perfect as far as param swings.

 

Too much, unless you have a large sump 20-30 gallons.

 

I think you'd have to choose between the clowns or the goby. I had 2 in my 14 at one point.

 

Hmm. Well I'm pretty sure I might have put a metal toys/statues in this as a kid, not sure if it was copper. If this tank is ok to go with I will probably end up using unless I can get one a little larger (space constraint) off craigslist. I would be ok with two clown fish and taking a while before it ran perfectly. What are some good items I can purchase. I'm worried that between air pumps, heater, filters, etc this whole thing will be filled up with everything except fish.