Saltwater Tank 26 Gallon?

Question

I'm starting a 26 gallon Saltwater Tank. Fish only with Live Rock. How much live rock, live sand, lighting(as well as type) will i need for the 26 gallon? Preferably I'd like to keep costs down, I've heard of tanks getting by with just biofiltration and not using a protein skimmer. Other's swear by it. I'll only be keeping 2 clownfish in the tank. In all likelihood, no anenome...yet.

A list of what i need for this type of tank would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Answer 1

Most saltwater references recommend 1-2 lbs of live rock per gallon of tank volume for the best filtration. You don't have to buy all live rock (which could get expensive) - I buy the dry reef rock for the base and stack the better quality live rock to the front and top. The "live" is only referring to the bacteria (although you'll get lots of other organisms on good quality rock). After a few months in the tank, the live rock will seed the other rock and the substrate. So no need to get both live rock and live sand. I don't care that much for the live sand anyway - the bacteria needed for the tank are aerobic (living in oxygenated conditions) and there's not much oxygen getting to it sitting in a bag on a shelf for who knows how long, plus I've seen the red slime algae (cyanobacteria) growing inside the bags - not a good thing to add to your tank. The live rock is in tanks with water circulation if you buy it from your lfs. If it's shipped to you, it'll come wrapped in wet newspaper, so expect some die-off. When you add it to the tank, stack it with space in between the pieces - you want "caves" for hiding spots for the fish and good water flow for filtration. You're not supposed to make a solid wall.

You don't absolutely need a protein skimmer for a FOWLR set up, but it is helpful for removing dissolved proteins which would contribute to ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate in the tank. If you know someone with one, or your lfs uses one on a stand-alone tank, take a look at what the collection cup is able to pull out of what appears to be clean water. If you want to keep your costs down, you might want to skip it for now (and use additional water changes to control nutrients in the tank) and plan to get a skimmer at a later time.

Really, a skimmer, hydrometer (to measure salinity), and salt are the only items unique to a saltwater tank. You'll still need a filter and heater, substrate (crushed coral or aragonite shell material preferred as it will help with pH/buffering), thermometer, maybe and added powerhead for water circulation. If you decide to get an anemone, you'll want to use at least compact fluorescent lighting.

You can gets lots more info on keeping a marine tank at this website: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/

Answer 2

How much live rock you need depends on what kind you get (some is more porous and therefore has greater surface area for bacteria to grow), but with only 2 (small I assume) clownfish you can just eyeball it by whatever looks good aesthetically (at least build a wall along the back half way up though, and some substrate on the bottom will also provide biological filtration).
The protein skimmer is really for long term maintenance and won't help much with biological filtration. They do work great though and cut down on the need for water changes. With only 2 clownfish you can get by without but anything more and I'd get one.
As for the lighting, since it fish only with live rock any lighting will do. Anemones however need good (metal halide or high intensity proper spectrum flourescent) lighting. Anemones, even under the best lighting conditions don't do well long term though so I'd avoid it and stick to the stuff that doesn't need great lighting (shrimp, crabs)
Good luck

Answer 3

ok here is going --Saltwater biking a hundred and one-- a million) The cycle. -Fish produce waste (ammonia, poisonous) which water based micro organism consume and convey nitrite(much less poisonous yet nevertheless poisonous). Air respiratory micro organism consume nitrites and convey nitrates(much less poisonous yet nevertheless needs to proceed to be diluted). vegetation(and a few others) soak up nitrates and that i've got faith produce nitrogen yet im not sure on that area the two way they render it risk unfastened. 2)Reproducing the cycle. -You grant sacrificial fish(damsels) which supply the ammonia for the 1st month or so whilst your micro organism culters variety. This seems after the ammonia and nitrites. to eliminate the nitrates theres 3 suggestions. a)Water variations b)Chemical removing c)A refugium -A 2d tank with vegetation in them that has an somewhat sluggish water replace fee with the perfect tank. 3)bounce commencing the cycle -you are able to the two upload play grade sand and a few decorations and then upload some micro organism which will take a whilst longer to end the cycle or bounce start up it using stay rock, stay sand, and products which incorporate bio-spira. Doing this could very much help your commencing fish. Plus in case you employ stay sand youll get some extra creatures like infant huge call fish and issues. That concludes the biking suggestions. issues to remember are canisters do not sell nitrite eating micro organism so look to moist dry filters or bio wheels. additionally salt water fish are in many circumstances regarded as eels, sharks, lionfish, puffers, ect... stand up to the urge at first them. you are able to wish at first damsels fantastically in the journey that your new. have faith me I did it any different way and it fee me over one hundred greenbacks in ineffective fish. finally start up saving on your next tank. as quickly as you get this one going your gonna desire those greater advantageous fish and youll desire the money for the bigger tank. perfect of effective fortune touch me in case you have any questions.

Answer 4

Research, research, research.
Take your time/
Here's a great source, since under 30 gallonsis considered a "nano" tank.

http://www.nano-reef.com/

I personally don't think a skimmer is necessary, it depletes your essential nutrients, and then you have to add them back via supplements.

But research all the views and do what seems best to you.