What Do I Need To Get For A Simple Marine Tank?

[springnite]

Hello guys, i'm new to here and i dont know what do i need to get for a simple marine tank.

1)I'm going to get a 3''x18''x18'' tank to be my saltwater tank. And what do i need to get like filter, lightning and others ?

2) What is chiller? do i need to get it for this size of tank?

3) what do i need to care about ? just like ph,temperature and others?

4) what kind of sand do i need to get?

 

[Chac]

Hello guys, i'm new to here and i dont know what do i need to get for a simple marine tank.

1)I'm going to get a 3''x18''x18'' tank to be my saltwater tank. And what do i need to get like filter, lightning and others ?

I take it you mean 3' rather than 3"

Biological Filter - Live Rock
Lighting - Depends what you want to keep - Full Reef or just FOWLR
Skimmer ??
Flow/Circulation - IMO you will require a minimun of 15+ x tank volume

2) What is chiller? do i need to get it for this size of tank?

Just as it sounds - keeps your tank water at a constant temp.- can be very expensive- IMO not required there are many other/cheaper ways to ccol a tank

3) what do i need to care about ? just like ph,temperature and others?

pH
Sg
Ammonia
Nitrate
Nitrite
Phos

& possibly

Kh
Calcium
Mag

4) what kind of sand do i need to get?

Argonite

 

[SkiFletch]

I agree with Chac on all his points. Your tank if my calculations are correct is 50 US gallons for which I would reccomend a protein skimmer.

 

[springnite]

opss.. Sorry.. it's 36''x18''x18''

I will get some corals but not that much and 2-4 fishes then enough. So do i need to get a metal halide for this kind of tank? Can i get a Fluro Tube to be my lightning ?

I will build another small tank to be my custom filter and i will use protein skimmer but i dont know how to build the custom filter and i dont have any concept. Can anyone show me that how to build a small aqua to be my custom filter. I will put the custom filter under my 36''x18''x18'' tank.

What do i need to get so that i can test temperature, ph, nitrate something else.

 

[SkiFletch]

Ok, lighting... MH are not required. You'll get the best results from them, but they are very expensive to buy and run. If I may suggest Power Compact (PC) lighting. It's the newest thing in flourescents. Lots of power, very efficient, not too much heat (especially for a 50g). With PC lighting you can keep most coral types with ease and will only really struggle with difficult SPS like acropora or montipora.

T5 lights are pretty good as well, but slightly more restricted than PCs as far as what you can keep. SPS of any kind are pretty much out in that case.

As for filtration, you want to create a sump . Check out melevsreef.com for a TON of info on sumps.

For testing, a thermometer and liquid test kits for the appropriate chemicals

 

[springnite]

Alright cool, thanks for your suggestion and i wanna know that what can i use to test the ph, temperature, nitrate or something else? Can i get a thing like all in 1 ?

 

[SkiFletch]

There are lots of all-in one test kits with the basic 4 tests, (pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate). Other more advanced tests are usually sold individually although I think salifert or kent might make a larger "kit" selection

 

[springnite]

Oh well, thanks anyway.