Thinking Of Getting 30 Gallon

[Redstratplayer1]

I really want a nano reef tank but i want some advice before i start that kind of thing.

I want a 30 long and the folowing are some of the things im looking at for it.

power head

heater

thermomiter

I am also looking at back up parts.
back up feeder

air pump

timer for lights



I have checked out salt mixes and test kits to

salt mix

test kit for calcium


test for every thing else







I am confused by lighting so can anyone help me with that .
I looked at live rock and i am fine on that subject but i am lost about test kit quality ,coaral and fish choosing and almost every thing else.
Help me !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

 

[SkiFletch]

Well, Seachem makes good kits, but they're my second choice. I prefer salifert to all others. Most accurate (and expensive). You'll need tests for calc, alk, pH, and perhaps phosphate from salifert. You can get away with seachem or any other liquid kit for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. A refractometer is ideal for measuring your salinity (aka specific gravity).

Lighting depends a lot upon depth. Because a long tank is usually shallow, your task in lighting is much easier. 30 or 36 inches? And does it have a center brace?

The general rule of thumb is softies can be grown under most any marine lights. T5 or Power Compact are usually reccomended for LPS, and Metal Halides should be considered for SPS. If you plan on going SPS in the future, you might want to start the tank with metal halide lighting while you try some beginner corals. Then when you're more familiar with your tank and the aquaria you keep, consider getting some LPS or SPS and you wont have to change your lighting . The only difficulty in that is if your tank is an odd dimension which is not suitable for metal halides, then a bank of 4 T5 tubes might be in order

 

[Chac]

What a refreshing change - A newbie doing a bit of reasearch

I only use Salifert Test Kits as they are concidered to be more accurate (bit more finicky to use but defo better)

Have a look at your LFS & internet for the types of coral you would like to keep & give us an idea taht way we can suggest which lighting would be best for you

Personally I would get Metal Halides from the off as in the long run it would save you more if you end up upgrading 1 - 2 years down the line

 

[Redstratplayer1]

Thanks for the addvice im as of now looking itno salifert



As for coaral red sea fan

bubble coarl

brain coral

tree coral


polyp



Any of these look cool but i dont know if they grow to big or are just a bad idea for a beginer with a 30 gallon tank. The sight they are on is not very specific .

 

[SkiFletch]

Most of those corals are just fine. The red sea fan should not be kept by a newb, they are extremely difficult to care for since they are non photosynthetic. Furthermore, they require large amounts of phytoplankton which becomes VERY difficult to conrol in a tank as small as 30 gallons. Liveaquaria doesnt make a tank size reccomendation, but I wouldnt try keeping one in less than a 100 gallon aquarium and I'd make sure the system was mature for 6-12 months before adding it.

Also, the bubble and brain coral are pretty easy to keep, but will probably require T5 lighting

 

[Redstratplayer1]

ok so no sea fan

How about geting a ro filter i was looking at thise one but do i really need one.


ro

Any parts i need that i have not posted about yet.


Is it a good idea to geta protien skimer and if so whats a good one thats under $100

 

[SkiFletch]

30g is right on the dividing line ofr needing a skimmer. Above 30 its reccomended, below its not. At 30g, if you want to keep this tank longterm and stock it jam-full with livestock, then get a skimmer. If you're going more minimalist, avoid them.

That RO unit you posted was good, but if I may reccomend Ebay as a good source for RO units.