rDr4g0n
Well-Known Member
hello everyone!
ive had a bit of experience with saltwater aquariums, and a lot of experience with freshwater. im investing money into setting up a FOWLR system in a 30 gallon aquarium. the problem is im being overwhelmed with info from browsing the net and reading about the things you can do with saltwater tanks to ensure that they run well. i understand for the most part what the components do and why i should use them, but i want to know what i should spend money on right now, on a limited budget.
ive already set up the tank with saltwater, an inexpensive hood (i intend to buy quality lighting a little later on), an over the side filter, a small powerhead, and (im ashamed to say) a $40 protein skimmer (berlin airlift 90). i also bought 2 Kent aquarium kits (starter kit and the kit with calcium, iodine and stobidum) as they were recommended on a lot of sites. my wife works at a zoo, so she was able to get us 2 small pieces of live rock from one of the tanks they have in the back. ive put them in the tank just recently to start the cycle.
im planning to order 25lbs of live fiji rock shortly from www.saltwaterfish.com (~$125 shipped). Is this a good first step? Will this be enough live rock? I intend to arrange it in an island in the center of the aquarium with about 3 - 4 inches of sand around it.
My plan was to let the live rock cure in the tank (after reading about 13 different walkthroughs i think i have a decent idea of how to do that), and then add sand after the curing is complete. The more i read though, the more i realized that holy crap there is a TON more equipment that i can use! Sumps with or without refugiums, overflow boxes, UV sterilizers, altenic lighting, krassvatter and the related drip setups, all sorts of crazy plumbing, etc.
My main questions is this: will my current setup be a firm starting place or do i NEED to start off with a sump or additional equipment as well?
ive had a bit of experience with saltwater aquariums, and a lot of experience with freshwater. im investing money into setting up a FOWLR system in a 30 gallon aquarium. the problem is im being overwhelmed with info from browsing the net and reading about the things you can do with saltwater tanks to ensure that they run well. i understand for the most part what the components do and why i should use them, but i want to know what i should spend money on right now, on a limited budget.
ive already set up the tank with saltwater, an inexpensive hood (i intend to buy quality lighting a little later on), an over the side filter, a small powerhead, and (im ashamed to say) a $40 protein skimmer (berlin airlift 90). i also bought 2 Kent aquarium kits (starter kit and the kit with calcium, iodine and stobidum) as they were recommended on a lot of sites. my wife works at a zoo, so she was able to get us 2 small pieces of live rock from one of the tanks they have in the back. ive put them in the tank just recently to start the cycle.
im planning to order 25lbs of live fiji rock shortly from www.saltwaterfish.com (~$125 shipped). Is this a good first step? Will this be enough live rock? I intend to arrange it in an island in the center of the aquarium with about 3 - 4 inches of sand around it.
My plan was to let the live rock cure in the tank (after reading about 13 different walkthroughs i think i have a decent idea of how to do that), and then add sand after the curing is complete. The more i read though, the more i realized that holy crap there is a TON more equipment that i can use! Sumps with or without refugiums, overflow boxes, UV sterilizers, altenic lighting, krassvatter and the related drip setups, all sorts of crazy plumbing, etc.
My main questions is this: will my current setup be a firm starting place or do i NEED to start off with a sump or additional equipment as well?