HELP new to marine tanks and set up help

[whizzmista]

i have just got a 4ft tank and im after some info on what i need to set it up for marine fish, plus how to manage as i have heard they are hard to look after like keeping the salt level correct using proteing skimmers and how many light bulbs and which ones, what filters to use and how many heaters and what watt? how much coral do need and all other bits and pieces also how often to change the water? plus any ideas on fish to get to start the tank off!

plus any websites to get cheap accessories
all info will be very apprecited

 

[kschweer]

Are you looking to set up a reef tank or a fish only tank?

 

[whizzmista]

im not sure at the moment! but probably reef

 

[kschweer]

What equipment do you already have if any? Also a little more info such as is the tank reef ready (is it drilled, does it have an overflow box) would make it easier to give you more info.

 

[whizzmista]

i have a 300w heater and a fluvel filter how do i know if its reef ready it was a tropical tank, not drilled and no overflow box thanks

 

[swannyson7]

The term "reef ready" refers to a tank that is drilled for use with a sump. The fact that it was previously used as a FW tropical tank could be problematic if you intend to keep corals. If copper based medications were used (commonly used to treat ich), they can be absorbed by the silicone in the seems of the tank which could leach out and kill corals & inverts.

The first thing to learn in this hobby is that only bad things happen quickly. Before adding any fish to the tank, it will need to be fallow for about a month to build up the necessary bacteria to complete the nitrogen cycle. One your tank has "cycled," you'll be able to start adding a small amount of livestock. Be sure to slowly add fish because a spike in nutrients caused by several fish at once can lead to the demise of everything in the tank. You should also make sure that you're using RO/DI or distilled water when mixing fresh saltwater to prevent excessive nutrients. As for recommendations on lighting, filtration, etc, we'll need to know the total volume of your tank and also if you intend to use a sump for when we recommend protein skimmers.

 

[kschweer]

I think your first step should be to make a decision if you're going to do a reef or fish only. This will help determine what equipment you will need. I would also decide if you will be using a sump or not and if you want to get the tank drilled. Hope this helps you some.

 

[whizzmista]

i will be using an external filter and not a sump! i will be using it as a reef tank! also what lights do i need? any filter ideas? any skimmer ideas? also how often do i need to change the walter and how much rock do i need cheers

 

[Electrobes]

whizz on top of getting info here, try also looking at tanks in the member section.. you'll get a lot of good info and ideas there. Here's mine as an example: https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/member-tanks/52310-electrobes-sumpless-40br-11.html

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Reef 2 Reef - Checklist of Items Needed to Start a Saltwater Aquarium

 

[whizzmista]

how many bulbs do i need as i went into a local shop and he said 4 is he trying to rip me off?

 

[tike]

First off, the type of lighting you will need depends on what type of corals you plan on keeping.

You really need to do some research and reading before you jump in. Google setting up a reef tank. I say this because you have a lot of basic questions that can be answered with the proper research. get an idea of were you are headed and then we can be of much more help to you.

 

[whizzmista]

it doesnt say anything about different types of coral or do you mean cured? it will be cured if that helps,

 

[robert]

Hi Wizz,

Its 48" long - probably a 55 gal but not necessarily. take the width x length x depth and divide that by 231 to get the number of gallons.

But since your not sure - I'm guessing 55 gallons.

You'll want to get a t5 fixture - 2 bulb minimum - 4 bulb is better. Make sure the spectrum on the bulbs is 10k or higher - 6k bulbs are freshwater. For inexpensive lights you can check out aquatraders online. I've bought several - not top of the line necessarily but they work. Quite adequate.

You can run a successful reef tank without a sump using an external canister filter and a hang on the back skimmer. I ran my 115 gallon that way for quite a while -I'll try to dig up the pictures - I think some would be surprised how well it worked.

Once you get into this hobby you'll learn that there are a lot of choices. Keeping different stuff - means setting up your tank differently. You probably don't know exactly what you want so you aren't sure the advise your being given is for your benefit of the benefit of the seller.

Go slow - set up - keep a few fish - add a few corals... little by little you'll get addicted...

 

[whizzmista]

thanks for the info this may sound very simple but what colour bulbs, does it have any effect on the fish if they are all white or do i need different ones for the spectrum and UV cheers

 

[kschweer]

The term cured or uncured usually is used when talking about live rock not corals. Do you mean live rock?

 

[whizzmista]

yes sorry, do u hv 2 leave uncured rock for a month?

 

[kschweer]

Any new tank will have to go through a cycle. So yes even using uncured rock you will have to cycle the tank for close to a month.