Starting an 25 G

Hey guys, i am a newbie and havent start my aquarium yet. I have been initiated to cichlid since 10 months so i dont know much on fish at all.

I am preparing for a 25 G and what i got for the moment is the heater, and aquaclear 300, an maxi jet1200 and a fluorescent light. My LFS dont have any small light for tan saltwater aquarium. All he has is an double fluorescent light. I wonder if i put my 3 bulbs will be enough.My LFS told me that it will be enough for soft corals. I want an aqua C remora but all they have is seaclone 100 and 150. Do you guys know where i could have the remora for a decent price? i read that the seaclone need a lot of adjustment and the remora dont need at all... that's the reason why i want the remora...
So what do you guys think?

 

I have a Remora and it's a great set and forget type skimmer, so you are right on about that. Have you looked online for the Remora? There should be lot's of good deals. Heck you can start by clicking the Premium Aquatics banner above., they have it for $163 with MJ 1200 pump - shameless plug!

With lights though you need to start doing math and mutiply your tank volume in gallons by 5 to give you the watts in lights you will need. It's just a good rule of thumb. Not perfect. If you want hard corals down the road and clams, then you could a little bit more if you want.

If you were looking at three 20 watt bulbs, I would say that wasn't enough. 4 20's or bigger watts...

Anway, welcome to 3reef ii2ik. [smiley=2thumbsup.gif]

[flash=468,60]http://www.3reef.com/fish/sitepics/threesteps3.swf[/flash]

 

Greetings ii2ik,

Welcome to 3Reef.

Agree with Matt on "Remora" - rated to 75 gal, so will give you room to "grow"...only additional thought is to make sure to buy it with the "drain" plug "option" initially, I always wished I had with mine.

With a smaller size tank, you are absolutly right in getting a high quality powerful skimmer from the get go. The Remora is a great choice.

Lights next big challenge, but sounds like you are getting that sorted out...

You are asking the right questions, sounds like you are off to a great start.

Keep asking..."Reef on..."

OmarD

 

I looked around a little bit on the net and i found the Remora for 163 most of the time. I will try to find one in Canada with the canadian money .
Ok i havent bought the lights yet, maybe some of you will help me out to find the right light...I am kind of short on money, still a student, so maybe a light that is not too much expensive that will be enough to be able to have almost any kind of corals...

I think the size of the tank is 30''x12''x16''

thanks a lot

There are just so many lights, so many thing to learn that i am not even sure what to do when i will have all my equipment  [smiley=shame.gif]

By the way, is the aquaclear 300 a good filter for a saltwater tank?

 

Jason is from Canada and may be able to help you out there.

Read a bunch of threads in the lighting board to give you ideas. We have a lot of good leads there.

I consider the Aquaclear 300 good for freshwater tanks. But on a small tank like yours, it will help circulation and you can keep carbon in there and count on the skimmer as your main filter.

 

ii2ik,

Too bad you are not closer, I have a "Remora" out in garage I could loan you as a temporary starter...

Am keeping nearby as both a backup and for a possible "seahorse" tank someday...but others must have upgraded from theirs by now...keep eye out on Ebay. --

Check around with your local aquarist's - someone may have something to help you get going...

Jason - Where are you??? - anything on in your "used" pile gathering dust that might help this "youngun" out???

A tank this small does not need much (a "Skilter" will do, for around $50 - ) - but small size is fraught with other problems as you no doubt will soon discover.

But as still a "student" you probably have a few years of transiet lifestyle ahead of you that does not bode well for a larger aquarium.

Lots to learn - but maybe will open up whole new vista of possibilites for you...too late to switch to Marine Science major? - sure wish I had followed that "dream"...

Not to worry, a small tank takes just as much "learning" as a large one. Just will need more "attention" and will not be so forgiving as a larger. "Bad things" can happen very fast in a small tank. - but easy to prevent with a little experience...

Like someone else says around here..."go slow" and you will be OK...

Best wishes,

OmarD

 

thank you for helping me, I really appreciated it. Hmm do you want to sell your Remora? I took a look on ebay for a compact light and i found one at 159$ US
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=46314&item=2395924821&rd=1

I think its a good one. 130 watts. I really think that having good equipment will make it easier. I will sure have problem with the chemical of the water later on because of the tank size.

Going slow is really something that i will do. If i buy this light and the protein skimmer, i will be out of money for sure. So i might just buy the sand and a few live rock to start and make the tank cycle. Adding corals and anemones will be from time to time after that and see how its goes with the tank and the chemical things.

Marine science is for sure amazing. The world of aquatics contain so much mysteries. I am currently in health science but i really like  businness... anyways

I just think that the lights and the skimmer are the 2 most important thing for a reef tank.

Again, your help is really appreciated.

Richard

 

Not a bad price...and probably OK for a 25 gal tank...I had same hood on a 55 gal, but had four 65W 10K PC's and it actually did very well...am still using on current 120 gal.

Ebay can be a good source...but check out seller well and try to verify service and bulb warrenty...

Rgds,

OmarD

 

I use my Aqua Clear 300, 200, and 150 as circulation. I have taken the filter media out, a nitrate trap in my opinion, and filled with live rock rubble for that mini sump effect.

 

i called a lot of place today to see if i can get lights or the Remora in Montreal. They dont even know the aqua C brand
Anyways, i guess i will have to find it on the net.
Or somewhere in Canada ...