I've been in the FW side for a while and am finally ready to take the plunge into marine tanks. I would like to start relatively affordable with an all-in-one type setup like a biocube. I have seen the 28g biocube, and the 34g Red Sea Max, but is there anything just a little bigger? I plant to start with a FOWLR tank but eventually go reef. What do you suggest?
Looking for a decent first marine tank
- Thread starter clawlan
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As far as for a first time reefer?
Well, considering that is -exactly- what I am...I would have to recomend a biocube. I was able to get one from a friend, and could -not- be happier.
You can run a successful biocube without a skimmer (I run my 12 skimmer free ,and have heard of up to thirty gallon tanks doign the same), but you need to keep up on water changes. Once a week, 20%. No exceptions.
Teaches good discipline, though...
As for the Fowlr to reef? Its' a good idea, that's how i started...Grante,d for months later i'm looking at upgrading lights, and keeping mushrooms, zoanthids, and Nephtia...But yeah. Start out with a way that doesn't kill your wallet.
And a word to the wise, use RO water...I originally just used purified tap water (Conditioned it myself), and had such major problems with diatoms it wasn't even funny...
Well, considering that is -exactly- what I am...I would have to recomend a biocube. I was able to get one from a friend, and could -not- be happier.
You can run a successful biocube without a skimmer (I run my 12 skimmer free ,and have heard of up to thirty gallon tanks doign the same), but you need to keep up on water changes. Once a week, 20%. No exceptions.
Teaches good discipline, though...
As for the Fowlr to reef? Its' a good idea, that's how i started...Grante,d for months later i'm looking at upgrading lights, and keeping mushrooms, zoanthids, and Nephtia...But yeah. Start out with a way that doesn't kill your wallet.
And a word to the wise, use RO water...I originally just used purified tap water (Conditioned it myself), and had such major problems with diatoms it wasn't even funny...
+1 to what andrew said. I think he is right on. You might be able to set traditional 29g a little cheaper, but the "plug and plays" work good.
I mentioned using RO/DI water before and was told that can be a real hassle because that water has all the trace elements removed and all that. Though that was in the a freshwater forum. Is it OK to use RO/DI water in a marine tank because the salt mix will return the necessary trace elements?
There's definitely no concerns with using RO/DI water for a saltwater tank. The salt mix will provide the necessary elements.
Just be sure that when you top off the tank because some of the water has evaporated, you want to add fw back to the tank, not sw, to keep from continuously raising the specific gravity level. The water evaporates, the salt does not.
Just be sure that when you top off the tank because some of the water has evaporated, you want to add fw back to the tank, not sw, to keep from continuously raising the specific gravity level. The water evaporates, the salt does not.
Right I understand that. I have done a good amount of research and have read The Conscientious Marine Aquarist cover to cover...