Need information in setting up a fish only salt tank

[Phishman1]

I originally wanted to do a reef tank but now believe I'll just try a fish only tank. I have a 46 gallon bow front. Do I need live sand for the substrate or can anything other than that do the job? I'm planning to just get rocks n cured coral from my local fish store for decorations. I understand the cycling process, patience, patience etc. The lights are a simple strip light that came with the tank so may upgrade that a little. I will need a larger hang on the back filter for it, thinking of a large whisper. Obviously in a 46 probably a few smaller fish of course, my wife wants a sea horse but I understand they might be too much for a semi beginner.

 

[Philly Reefer]

You can use dry rocks if you want fish only tank. But if you do use dry rocks and dry sands, you will still get the "ugly phase" no matter what

 

[Phishman1]

You can use dry rocks if you want fish only tank. But if you do use dry rocks and dry sands, you will still get the "ugly phase" no matter what

Just starting out here, not sure what is meant by "ugly phase"? Sorry

 

[Sebastiancrab]

The "ugly phase" is when you get algae as part of the long maturing of the tank. I have a 29 gal FOWLR that runs with an Eheim canister filter. I purchased Fiji pink live sand and my LFS gave me a small bit of live sand and rock. They will help the tank go thru the cycle much quicker. I used Seachem stability and a pinch of fish food every day for 2 weeks. My tank was ready for one fish after that. I also use a Tidal Filter HOB occasionally. Highly recommend it because you can choose the materials to put in it - like Poly Filter.

Tidal 55 HOB Power Filter (Up to 55 Gal) - Seachem

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[Philly Reefer]

Just starting out here, not sure what is meant by "ugly phase"? Sorry

In this article, ugly phase is starting on Stage 4: Diatom phase

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[xxkenny90xx]

I originally wanted to do a reef tank but now believe I'll just try a fish only tank. I have a 46 gallon bow front. Do I need live sand for the substrate or can anything other than that do the job? I'm planning to just get rocks n cured coral from my local fish store for decorations. I understand the cycling process, patience, patience etc. The lights are a simple strip light that came with the tank so may upgrade that a little. I will need a larger hang on the back filter for it, thinking of a large whisper. Obviously in a 46 probably a few smaller fish of course, my wife wants a sea horse but I understand they might be too much for a semi beginner.

What is your reasoning for wanting to do fish only? Are there certain fish you want that aren't reef safe? Or?? I ask because if you like corals but aren't ready to take them on it may be best to buy equipment that can sustain then in the future. Otherwise in a few months you might end up buying new equiptment again. This is especially true for lights.

 

[dbowman5]

welcome Phish! there is a lot to learn and you are in the right place to learn it. look at the differences between all in one and sump systems. i have a 30 gallon bowfront and thought about using a HOB but decided to use a sump with it. i wish you and your wife much pleasure and fascination as you enjoy what there is in this hobby.

 

[Hugh Mann]

Unless you are planning on sand sifters, you don't actually need sand, lots of people go bare bottom. However, no you don't actually need to buy live sand, or live rock. Can buy both dry, I'd honestly actually recommend that over live. Cycle with bottled bacteria. I suggest this because it eliminates the possibility of introducing hitchhikers. From the single piece of live rock I purchased, I ended up with turf algae, bubble algae, bryopsis, Aiptasia, a small crab and a pistol shrimp. Let alone the risk of introducing parasites from live rock. It takes longer to cycle, and you'll have to deal with a diatom bloom at some point, but worth it I think, to avoid pests.

For lights, if you're just going FowLR, you can use anything, don't need fancy lights. A single Chinese black box led should do just fine.

Seahorses as I understand it, don't really do well in community tanks, often get out competed for food and starve. Can be kept in species specific tanks though.

Fish I'd recommend for a 46, coral beauty angel, Flame hawkfish, pick your flavour of clownfish, gobies. I'd stay away from tangs, unless you're okay with rehoming or upgrading tank size.

I am personally using an aquaclear 110 filter and Reef octopus 1000 on my 55 gallon, both work pretty good, if a tiny bit on the noisy side.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Unless you are planning on sand sifters, you don't actually need sand, lots of people go bare bottom. However, no you don't actually need to buy live sand, or live rock. Can buy both dry, I'd honestly actually recommend that over live. Cycle with bottled bacteria. I suggest this because it eliminates the possibility of introducing hitchhikers. From the single piece of live rock I purchased, I ended up with turf algae, bubble algae, bryopsis, Aiptasia, a small crab and a pistol shrimp. Let alone the risk of introducing parasites from live rock. It takes longer to cycle, and you'll have to deal with a diatom bloom at some point, but worth it I think, to avoid pests.

For lights, if you're just going FowLR, you can use anything, don't need fancy lights. A single Chinese black box led should do just fine.

Seahorses as I understand it, don't really do well in community tanks, often get out competed for food and starve. Can be kept in species specific tanks though.

Fish I'd recommend for a 46, coral beauty angel, Flame hawkfish, pick your flavour of clownfish, gobies. I'd stay away from tangs, unless you're okay with rehoming or upgrading tank size.

I am personally using an aquaclear 110 filter and Reef octopus 1000 on my 55 gallon, both work pretty good, if a tiny bit on the noisy side.

Very informative post but how about posting the downsides of dry rock and bottled bacteria? Dinos, ugly stage, waiting on a cycle, more diseased/vulnerable fish (this one is a stong opinion, not a proven fact), less diverse/healthy ecosystem, ect

 

[Hugh Mann]

I honestly wasn't aware there were potential issues regarding fish/ecosystem health using bottled bacteria. Good to know. Could you possibly go more in depth on that?

But most definitely yes, I mentioned briefly but did not go into much detail on the ugly stages. I only experienced a few weeks of diatoms when I started with primarily dry rock, nothing overly problematic. Maybe because I cycled my tank with old media from a friend's filter. Others may be able to provide more information in case my tank is an oddity. One thing to say is rinse the heck out of any dry rock or sand that you buy. And when you think it's rinsed, do it again. I couldn't believe the amount of dust and junk that came off. I have heard people mention curing their dry rock for several months prior to use. I didn't do this and am therefore unfamiliar with the process, but I believe it involves letting the dry rock sit in a sealed tub of saltwater with a heater and powerhead for some amount of time.

Speaking of which, that is another option, if you know someone with a tank, guaranteed clean of parasites/diseases, you can always ask for some of their dirty old filter media and chuck that into your filter, pretty much instant cycle as long as you don't overdo the bioload. This does however, pose the risk of transferring some sort of infection that may be laying dormant, which ich is infamous for.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I just set up an Oceanic fish only tank.
I went with what I would call basic. basic LED lights, Resin rock pieces and a simple sump setup. It IS bare bottom and has algae but clean up crew does get to it. The sump has One sock with run into mid section with live rock from my 660G and return pump is Sicce 4.0
There is an Ai Nero 5 powerhead on each side of the tank for flow at low turbulence. I utilized a sump for ease of maintenance as well as a place for bacteria and addition of media. I utilized bacteria in the beginning to assure breakdown of waste as the tank progressed.

 

[Phishman1]

What is your reasoning for wanting to do fish only? Are there certain fish you want that aren't reef safe? Or?? I ask because if you like corals but aren't ready to take them on it may be best to buy equipment that can sustain then in the future. Otherwise in a few months you might end up buying new equiptment again. This is especially true for lights.

Sort of on a limited budget right now to be honest. Had a reef tank back in 2004/05 and it was fun for sure, but got burned out after hurricane we had here in Florida knocked power out for 9 days, kept fish alive and lost all corals. I have 8 tanks now, all fresh, but have a back room TV tank area where I thought I'd change from cichlids to a fish only salt tank. I need a light bar of some kind however and don't know where to get something on a budget,,,36 inch.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Gotcha. Well for about $100 you could get an ebay black box led and hang it high to light that tank. Then if you want corals down the road get a second one.

Or go to home depot and for $20ish you can get some led blubs set up and be just fine for fish only. Fish definitely aren't picky about lights