Would love some suggestions

sadiej333 · Mar 20, 2021

Hello everyone! So a small background when I first got into saltwater the store told me a 13.5 gallon tank was a great starter . I quickly figured out that wasn’t true I had finally gotten the tank down and had a great little set up when my power went out and I lost everything. I got the heart to try again and as my tank was finally cycling again it sprung a small leak.
I decided to upsize to a 30 gallon long to avoid mistakes I thought I’d get some input from experience. I’m trying to do this with equipment I’ve had (as long as it will work) Right now the tank will have
1 Fluval 306 canister filter
1 current loop 24 inch light
1 nano protein skimmer up to 35 gallons
2 power heads
1 heater
I was reading 1 pound of live rock per gallon so I will need to get more along with sand.

I guess my question is if anyone sees ways I can approve the set up. And then when it is finally ready for fish suggestions there? Seeing as it is limited space I would like some unique fellas. And what kind of clean up crew you guys would use?

Jseimo · Mar 20, 2021

sadiej333 said:
Hello everyone! So a small background when I first got into saltwater the store told me a 13.5 gallon tank was a great starter . I quickly figured out that wasn’t true I had finally gotten the tank down and had a great little set up when my power went out and I lost everything. I got the heart to try again and as my tank was finally cycling again it sprung a small leak.
I decided to upsize to a 30 gallon long to avoid mistakes I thought I’d get some input from experience. I’m trying to do this with equipment I’ve had (as long as it will work) Right now the tank will have
1 Fluval 306 canister filter
1 current loop 24 inch light
1 nano protein skimmer up to 35 gallons
2 power heads
1 heater
I was reading 1 pound of live rock per gallon so I will need to get more along with sand.

I guess my question is if anyone sees ways I can approve the set up. And then when it is finally ready for fish suggestions there? Seeing as it is limited space I would like some unique fellas. And what kind of clean up crew you guys would use?

only upgrade I would consider would be the light of you plan to keep any corals. As far as unique fish, your very limited in a tank that size. There are some cool designer clowns, a pistol shrimp with a goby pair (wait until your sand has matured), a few different blenny species to tackle algae, fire fish. Cuc is comepletly up to you. Hermits are fun but can kill snails, way to many snails to discus but get some of each. Emerald crabs are good choices. Pom Pom crabs, porcelain crab if you have anemones. Sexy shrimp are fun to watch, skunk cleaner shrimp and fire shrimp. Just research anything before you purchase

JAC- · Mar 20, 2021

I feel like your skimmer is too small. I like to oversize them more than 5 gallons. That said, you won't have to worry much about that until your tank gets further along in the process and I'm sure plenty of people run sizing similar to what you have.

For the livestock, I agree with @Jseimo

sadiej333 · Mar 20, 2021

Jseimo said:
only upgrade I would consider would be the light of you plan to keep any corals. As far as unique fish, your very limited in a tank that size. There are some cool designer clowns, a pistol shrimp with a goby pair (wait until your sand has matured), a few different blenny species to tackle algae, fire fish. Cuc is comepletly up to you. Hermits are fun but can kill snails, way to many snails to discus but get some of each. Emerald crabs are good choices. Pom Pom crabs, porcelain crab if you have anemones. Sexy shrimp are fun to watch, skunk cleaner shrimp and fire shrimp. Just research anything before you purchase

Thank you!

sadiej333 · Mar 20, 2021

JAC- said:
I feel like your skimmer is too small. I like to oversize them more than 5 gallons. That said, you won't have to worry much about that until your tank gets further along in the process and I'm sure plenty of people run sizing similar to what you have.

For the livestock, I agree with @Jseimo

Thank you!

KrisReef · Mar 20, 2021

I read this earlier and didn't have a suggestion then. Now that I woke up I had a thought; since you are new on here start a build thread for the new set-up!

Welcome to Reef@Reef!

Glad you joined us!

Jekyl · Mar 20, 2021

I would ditch the canister unless you're on top of maintaining it. A simple HoB is easier to deal with.

sadiej333 · Mar 20, 2021

KrisReef said:
I read this earlier and didn't have a suggestion then. Now that I woke up I had a thought; since you are new on here start a build thread for the new set-up!

Welcome to Reef@Reef!

Glad you joined us!

Is there any specific way to do that? Haha I’m not the best with technology.