36 gallon fishtank

[domd498]

Hi I am converting my 36 gallon fishtank to saltwater. I am so confused with the equipment i need. I am only doing only live rock no corals. I would perfer if everything would be hang on the back for the tank. Can someone just give me a list of all the equipment i need that would be a life saver because there is so much information it is overwhelming. Thank you!

 

[Super Fly]

sorry but here's another reading material but it will provide many answers to your question.

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is nowhere near simple. This task is going to take patience, a...

www.reef2reef.com

But the basic equipment would be powerhead to move water inside tank around the live rock for bio filtration, don't need a skimmer at this time. Heater, lighting and if u want a mechanical filter (prob can reuse from fresh water after cleaning/disinfecting). As long as you keep up with regular water changes, tank should be good with minimal filtration. As tank matures w more livestock, then you can investigate/look into skimmer or sump filtration. Oh, don't forget test kits, must test for nitrate, phosphate, alk, calc and salinity for tank maintenance.
GL

 

[domd498]

sorry but here's another reading material but it will provide many answers to your question.

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is nowhere near simple. This task is going to take patience, a...

www.reef2reef.com

But the basic equipment would be powerhead to move water inside tank around the live rock for bio filtration, don't need a skimmer at this time. Heater, lighting and if u want a mechanical filter (prob can reuse from fresh water after cleaning/disinfecting). As long as you keep up with regular water changes, tank should be good with minimal filtration. As tank matures w more livestock, then you can investigate/look into skimmer or sump filtration. Oh, don't forget test kits, must test for nitrate, phosphate, alk, calc and salinity for tank maintenance.
GL

Thank you, I have a cascade 1000L/H filter can i use this. Its a external filter. If I also get some power heads am I good to go?

 

[Larry101]

For your setup, I would say the essentials would be having a couple of powerheads, a reliable heater, and a hob filter. I would recommend buying an aquaclear 70 or aquaclear 110 and add your own media to it via media bags and filter floss. I am not really sure how good a canister filter would work since it isn't really a popular method for reef tanks, but it is very popular in the freshwater industry. Also if you have the cash I would consider getting a protein skimmer to help out with removing organic waste from the water column. Protein skimmers aren't necessary as long as you keep up with your water changes, but if you can afford to get a hob protein skimmer I would. Another piece of equipment I would highly recommend to buy but isn't necessary is an auto top off system to automatically top of your reef tank with freshwater since only the freshwater evaporates. An ato will keep the fish happy as there will be fewer fluctuations with the salinity. If you are mixing your own saltwater a rodi system to make your freshwater is very beneficial since it will take out many of the impurities from your water and overall make for a cleaner and healthier environment for your fish. Otherwise, if you aren't mixing your own saltwater you could go to your lfs and buy pre-mixed saltwater.