Protein Skimmer

M

madavies65

AC Members
Jun 21, 2005
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I havent set up my marine tank at the moment... its currently fresh water. I have been purchasing the extra hardware as I progress so there is a huge amount of filtration necessary for a freshwater tank. Here are my details and would like any ideas on getting it up to speed....

Its a 180ltr tank, think thats 48Gallon (US conversion)?
Has an internal Fluval 4 filter
Has a Eheim Aquaball Powerhead as well, Pump output: 56-172 gph
Has an Eheim Ecco External filter (suitable for 200ltrs)
Heater - Tronic Heater
Has a sand bottom, with a few freshwater plants in at moment (tho i know these will not survive in salt water).
Light Glo double light canopy with 2 x 36in Fluorescent tubes (one is aquaglow, the other is sunglow.

I was wondering if it would be best if i got a protien skimmer or some live rock (or both)? What other equipemtn will i need?

I will be keeping a couple of clownfish (juvenilles) and a regal Blue Tang (tho at a later date).

Would appreciate your input.
 
I would get both the skimmer/live rock, the regal tang will outgrow that tank.
 
Hmm may consider skipping the Regal Tang then if it grows up to 17inches? is this right? Could anyone recomend a surgeonfish that would suit my tanks size?

Ok live rock and skimmer will look into the different models. Which is best co-current or counter current skimmers?
 
Just had a quick look, the powder blue tang is smaller (grows to around 10 inches) would this suit my tank?
 
powder blue is worse, it needs a buge tank. Tangs are big fish and need big tanks. The blue and powder blue are the worst becuase they are white spot magnets. you WILL get white spot and everything will get it, it is a pain. get another type of big fish. Tangs that you could have would be purple and yellow
 
A 48 gallon tank is WAY to small for any tang. Tangs NEED room to swim they will be very stressed if they don't have it and stress leads to disease . There are some very beautiful , smaller fish out there take your time and research what fish you want

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/categ.cfm?siteid=21&pcatid=15

Look here for starters it is a usefull guide for fish and what their requirements are
 
with that in mind, you can certainly band the stuff that the websites posts. Yellow tangs can be kept in a 50g until it gets to big, and that may take a while. My foxface is ment for a 70g according to websites but they set those requirements according to MAXIMUM size, not small size. Keep that in mind.
 
I think one of the reasons people (and websites) state the tank size based off of the adult grown size of fish is because when you buy a fish that WILL outgrow your tank; you are left with either buying a bigger tank, or getting rid of the fish. Too many people say they will get a bigger tank, then life happens and they dont have the room, money, time to get a bigger tank. Also if you plan on giving it to someone to returning the fish you run the risk of becoming attached to the fish and wanting to keep it (in too small of a home) just because it is your pet. Im sure most of the warnings are meant to make sure these fish dont die needlessly, not to ruin any of our fun.

Rick
 
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