Recommendations and how to set up a saltwater fish tank???

Question

Hello All,
My family and I are thinking of doing a saltwater fish tank of Nemo(clown fish) fish. We have a fresh water 55 Gallon tank, and was thinking of doing a 29 Gallon (the ones at wal-mart) tank. We want it to be with nemo fish. What equipment do you recomend me to buy, and how many nemo fush could we get? How long should we wait until we put the nemo fish in? When do you put the live rock in? What about shrimp for the tank to? What type of filtration will I need? Can you use the Walmart wisper filter that comes with the tank? Do you have to have live sand? Any other information would be helpful.

Answer 1

Well, do you want me to tell you what you want to hear or what should be done? I think you want me to tell you what should be done.

In a 29 Gallon Tank, you should only get 2-3 (Clownfish) of ONLY ONE SPECIES! Do not mix species because they fight and a 29 gallon tank is a small tank and they will fight. Do not follow the 1" per gallon rule, as that is just stupid. This is the equipment you need to buy.

Tank

Stand

Glass or Acrylic Hood

Canopy

Reflective Lighting Hood

Lights (combo of Metal Halide, Fluorescent, and Actinic) Timers

Powerheads

Sump Tank or HOB Setup

Protein Skimmer

Filter (Berlin style sump works best)

Live Rock

Live Sand

Synthetic Sea Salt Mixes

Heaters

Thermometers / Hydrometer

Algae Scrapers and/or Gravel Vacuum

Background (you tape on the back of the tank)

Test Kits and Supplements:

Ammonia

Nitrite

Nitrate

pH

Calcium

Hardness

Alkalinity

Phosphates

Iodine



For Fish/Electricity

Foods

Nets

Buckets

Extension Cords

Power Strips

Ground Fault Interrupters



You may need:

Reverse osmosis unit

Chiller

UV sterilizer



I will post the other information in edits if I cannot fit anymore. Before you put a "Nemo" Fish in, you must cycle your saltwater aquarium properly. This can be done by adding some cheap damsels, or using some raw shrimp from the store. Just let the shrimp sit in the tank and rot. Or let the damsels stay in the tank (Remember to feed them) you can take the damsels out when you're done and return them to store for some store credit. You can also complete the Nitrogen Cycle with Live Rock. This is the best and most humane way. You can put the Live Rock in at the start. You can add a shrimp, but only after the tank is done cycling, and you have no copper in your water.



For Filtration, if you don't plan on getting a reef tank, I suggest just getting a Fluval Canister filter. They're easy and cheap. If wanting the best for your fish, and you have the money to spend, purchase a Sump (Wet/Dry Trickle Filter). I wouldn't use the walmart whisper filter because that is probably for freshwater and won't cut it. If you want a reeftank, don't skimp on the lighting or protein skimmer either. You don't need to have Live Sand, as the Sand will become alive due to the Live Rock.



If there is anything else I"ll just edit my question.

Answer 2

I am not exactly sure what comes in with one of the Walmart 29 gallon kits. But more then likely it is designed for freshwater, not saltwater.



If you were to get a 29gallon, I would probably only do one Clown fish (one similar to Nemo) and maybe a shrimp or two depending on the species. Clown fish are territorial, especially as they get older and do best by themselves or as a mated pair. Do not put clowns with other damsel fish as they are from the same family and do not generally get along well. If you still want to get more then one clown, get a 55 and get young fish or a mated pair to ensure that they will get along.



As far as filter, get a trickle aka wet/dry system and a protien skimmer. I have that on my 55 and love the set up, just make sure to get good quality equipment, there is nothing more annoying then equipment failure...over and over and over again. Just save yourself the hassle. :) Also, get a heater, and some extra power heads. How many and strength will depend on the size of the tank. Your local shop will able to better fit that together. Lighting will also vary depending on what else you plan to have on the tank. If its fish only, standard cheep lighting is fine. Corals and such will require more expensive lighting, which can affect other equipment you buy (chiller might be needed). Basically do not use the cheep walmart brand filters or whisper, this is not enough filtration for what saltwater demand. Impromper care and filtration will lead to a lot of fish illness and other issues (headaches).



Many people recommend live sand. I would at least use a small amount and let nature do the rest. I did about 50% crushed coral, 50% sand (and maybe about 1/3 to 1/2 the sand being live sand). You will also want to invest in live rock, just make sure to check it for unwanted hitchhikers!



Lastly, find a good book to read on saltwater. It is always good to have a reference book and something to read on the different options of filtration before you buy. Also, DO NOT IMPULSE buy when getting fish. Do your research and your tank will be quite peaceful. :)



Some links to books below..Though you can probably find some online sites that will work just as well.

Answer 3

As some distance and the volume of sand you sould shoot for two" valued at. So if you'll be able to determine up the rectangular photos then multiply that by means of 17 you'll arise witht the quantity of kilos wanted. Sand weighs eight.five kilos consistent with squareft one inch deep. If you what LR as good then simply get up to you desire. Most humans advise one pound consistent with gal. But you'll be able to have kind of relying on the way you desire it to appear and the load of the rock. When I purchase rock I opt for and pick the portions from the LFS. It fee $6 to $10 consistent with pound however it's all curred and capable for the tank. You too can upload a couple of kilos every now and then a couple of later if want be. Just be certain it is all curred first. Other then that I will advise a couple of ebook and internet site beneath which will supply you the entire information that you simply would want. I additionally advise that you are taking a while. Allow the tank to cycle correctly and study the fish and inverts that you simply want to position within the tank earlier than hand. Good Luck PK