Newby im a lil conufsed about my 20 g fowlr

[dgasmd]

The only difference between a RO tank and a reef tank should be lighting and need for Ca/Alk supplementation. Everything else should be equal. It would be extremely nice and useful to ahve a treatment tank where you would put the fish for quarintine and for treatment should they need it.

[BoomerD]

Here kid, go here & start reading. Maybe you can get some of the information you need.
Newbie Stuff

More Newbie Stuff

And I see you've been asking the same questions at RC, and getting much the same information.
Wilson_the_volleyball

[jimeluiz]

Gotta say you are a cutie, wilson. Nice to see the care-taking going on.

Keep reading. And maybe get a second job!

[SaltyQueen]

Originally posted by wilson
o and i dont think i want a skimmer right away mayb after funds are good enough which would b a bit after i got fish. also what should i use to clean out my freshwater to convert it to s/w

Well, as I said in my previous post, you can use a bleach solution to clean the tank out (bleach mixed with water), just make sure you rinse it out VERY well- any bleach residue left on the tank will kill your fish.

After reading your posts here & on RC, I think perhaps it may be a good idea for you to slow down & do quite a bit more research before making any more purchases. I think it is important to ask questions & for feedback from others, but you'll also need to do a LOT of research on your own. Things you should be studying up on are filtration (including the benefits of protein skimming); the nitrogen cycle; the compatibility, food, & space requirements for the fish you want to keep, etc. This is not a hobby you want to rush into- it takes time & patience to keep a successful saltwater aquarium. There is a lot of useful information on this website- if you do a search, I'm pretty sure you could find answers to most of the questions you've posted. I'd also reccommend getting at least one good book about keeping a saltwater aquarium successfully- I'd reccommend "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist" by Robert Fenner- it covers pretty much everything you'll need to know about keeping a saltwater tank, and is very easy for beginners to understand. Nobody is trying to discourage you, but if you ask for advice, you need to be prepared to find out that the best advice you get may not coincide with what you originally planned on doing with your tank. We're all just trying to prevent you from buying unnecessary or low-quality equipment so that you don't waste any money, while at the same time trying to help you to have a successful aquarium with healthy & happy inhabitants.

[Craig Manoukian]

Go slow and let it grow!

[EdgeKrusher]

Honestly Wilson, I would spend the extra $40 bucks and get a Rimora or the CPR Bakpak. I had the same issue when I started my 12 gallon nano. Thanks to some encouragment from people on another board I picked up the CPR Bakpak IIr from ebay for $100 bucks plus shipping. I'm glad I did, cuz man it pulls some of the most vile looking crud out of the water. This hangs on the back of the tank.

[EdgeKrusher]

Honestly Wilson, I would spend the extra $40 bucks and get a Rimora or the CPR Bakpak. I had the same issue when I started my 12 gallon nano. Thanks to some encouragment from people on another board I picked up the CPR Bakpak IIr from ebay for $100 bucks plus shipping. I'm glad I did, cuz man it pulls some of the most vile looking crud out of the water. This hangs on the back of the tank.

[wilson]

k i am going to be taking it slowly becuz i wont even get n e thing started for at least one month mayb even two. like i said im just trying to get info and get stuff together so that way i know basically everything off the top of my head. i still have to get my mom to let me. i think she will because she hasnt siad n e thing about me doing all the research. thnx for the input

[wilson]

EdgeKrusher for ur skimmer is all the other stuff stuff that came with it or did u ahve to buy it. is it necessary do have it with them or not.

[wilson]

will the thermometer i ahve now b fine with a saltwater aquarum. it just floats around.

[wilson]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ive decided if i end up gettin a star prolly months after i get my fish settled it will probably be a chocolate chip starfish
is that good or not with wat i have cuz if i dont get one it wont break my heart i just think they look interesting

[SaltyQueen]

If you ever plan on getting any corals or inverts in the future, the Chocolate Chip star will probably eat them. Plus, they can be pretty disruptive as far as knocking over your aquascaping, etc. A serpent or brittle starfish might be a better choice- but only until your tank is MUCH more mature- if there aren't enough microorganisms on your live rock for it to graze on, ANY star you get will probably starve to death.

[SaltyQueen]

forgot to add- starfish (and almost all other inverts) are very picky about water quality- if you are dead set against having a protein skimmer, you should not attempt to keep a starfish.

[wilson]

if i get a skimmer i was just wondering if it would be chaeper just to amke a skimmer (if possible) and how or to buy one

[SaltyQueen]

it would definitely be cheaper for you to make your own skimmer- I'm not very handy, but if you PM Pro builder, I'm sure he can get you started.