New 25 Gallon Hex Tank, Any Suggestions?

[jefejt]

I've been keeping cichlids for quite some time and I'm thinking about trying a small saltwater tank. I have a 25 gallon hexagon tank, and I'm contemplating trying my hand at some salt water fish. Being new at saltwater fish, what suggestions would you have for me. Lets pretend you have a limited budget, but an open mind what would you do...

 

[ASD]

Get yourself about 10-15k of live rock and a decent protien skimmer, something like an Aqua Medic Biostar flotor or any of the Deltec hang on types. Add the sand and saltwater to tank, bring up to temp then add the live rock. At the same time you will need some circulation around the rock, a couple of decent powerheads will do the job, have a look at the Sieo's. Wait a couple of weeks then start to think on what you want to keep. You are going to be restricted on what you keep due to tank size, maybe a pair of clowns with a couple of other small fish. If you are wanting to keep corals then lighting would have to be given some thought.

 

[jefejt]

Thanks. I'm thinking about doing something even simpler than that. Do I need to add liverock? I was thinking about starting with 3-5 fish and a simple hang on back filter. Is this a possiblity? From what I've heard I don't need a lot to start a small tank.

 

[ASD]

You dont need live rock, however, if you decide to use a normal filter, you will get excess algea and you will have to do more water changes. Marine fish in general do not do well in a system without live rock. Years ago poeple used to keep marine tanks with Under Gravel filtration, they were never really successful until the introduction of live rock, now marine fish, corals and even some of the more exotic species like seahorses can be kept for a considerable length of time in an aquarium.

My advice would be to save up and buy some liverock. THE best filter in the marine aquarium.

 

[jefejt]

What type of lighting do I need to keep live rock alive?

 

[hubbard_shark]

Theres really no special lighting needed for live rock, it will flourish and keep your tank healthy by being filtered, thats where ur powerheads would come in. if u were to keep corals/anemones,etc. then ud need strong lighting.

 

[SkiFletch]

Sounds like you're just interested in keeping fish. If so, then I'd get some Live Rock ~10lbs since it really is the best filtration money can buy and suppliment it with base rock of another 10-15lbs, a powerhead, heater, aragonite sand, and decent lighting of a marine spectrum. A T8 tube or two should suffice somewhere in the 10-20k range. Then of utmost imortance will be standard water changes and stocking slowly. Make sure you check out the stickies in the nano section for more info