First SW Tank plunge

[Admiral558]

After browsing these forums for a good 2 months and seeing all the useful archives and guides I decided it was time to join. A few good days worth of searching and I wasn't able to find exactly what I was looking for regarding tank specs, so here goes:

Up until now I've done FW only so this is a big salty step for me. I'm looking to set up a shallow SW tank similar to a tidal pool (without the tides of course ). It would be similar to the dimensions of the coral tanks on the Glasscages.com web page (36 x 24¾ x 8 Tall or up to 13") with sand bed and few live rock chunks.

I'm aware that a large surface area on a tank like this is going to lead to lots of evaporation, but what other inherent problems are there?

Being that it is my first SW tank, I'm leaning towards starting it as a fish only with live rock. Once I am confident I can keep perameters under control I'd like to add a few soft corals in, maybe a clam.

---------

After that long winded explanation I'm still unsure of what fish and corals are the best inhabitants for a shallow tank like this. I'm leaning towards blenny and goby, but want to stay away from the 'suicidal jumpers'. There would probably have to be some kind of cover over the top to prevent that. With a tank this shallow I'd also lean towards an overflow rather than drilling as the sand bed could take up a good portion of the height.

Any recommendations or fingers pointing to resources as far as shallow tanks?

[hng]

I don't think you'll really encounter any more problems than any other shaped tank. Like you stated already, one of the biggest issues will be evaporation, but with an automatic topoff device, that shouldn't be a big deal. Lighting will be a bit easier with the shallow depth, you could use simple fluorescent lighting and still get great results. I would recommend you get it at least 12 inches tall though, a very shallow tank makes it difficult to view IMO.

[aquawolf]

Welcome to TRT!

You will also have to watch your fish choices carefully as you stated already. Many Gobies are known base jumpers.

Best of luck with your first set up.

[Loverotties]

Welcome to TRT! Also figure what fish you want and buy the calmest fish 1st and get the most aggressive fish last.

[airman_verde04]

I agree with the height of the tank, but a very wide 12in tall tank would look wicked on a square coffee table. but yeah, unless your putting your tank faily high up, 8 inches might be alittle short. but I can say, it would be different!! I would enjoy looking at it just because of its differernce! good luck!

[ChrisPrusha]

Welcome to TRT!! w00000000000000000t!!!

[OneDummHikk]

Originally Posted by Admiral558

After browsing these forums for a good 2 months and seeing all the useful archives and guides I decided it was time to join. A few good days worth of searching and I wasn't able to find exactly what I was looking for regarding tank specs, so here goes:

Welcome to TRT and the saltwater addiction, errr, hobby

Originally Posted by Admiral558

Up until now I've done FW only so this is a big salty step for me. I'm looking to set up a shallow SW tank similar to a tidal pool (without the tides of course ). It would be similar to the dimensions of the coral tanks on the Glasscages.com web page (36 x 24¾ x 8 Tall or up to 13") with sand bed and few live rock chunks.

Of those two heights, I would go with 13", from my own experience starting with a smaller tank. As with FW, the larger the tank, the more forgiving it will be of variations in water conditions. I started with a smaller tank (12 gallons) and I have regretted since the day I ignored the advice to start with a larger tank (I had a 90 at the time, fw, that I was too impatient to wait to get setup).

Thought: If you are going to setup a second tank in the future, or, upgrade the tank later, what would you upgrade to? Figure that out and then try to start with some kind of tank that could be used as a sump for the bigger tank, and will fit in the stand under that tank.

Originally Posted by Admiral558

I'm aware that a large surface area on a tank like this is going to lead to lots of evaporation, but what other inherent problems are there?

What I have seen on my 90 is that whether I have the canopy on or off has more effect on evaporation than surface movement. The 90 has somewhere between 5500 and 6000 gph of flow, and some very good surface agitation. With the canopy, it evaporates about a gallon a day. Without the canopy, it evaporates about a gallon a week.

Originally Posted by Admiral558

Being that it is my first SW tank, I'm leaning towards starting it as a fish only with live rock. Once I am confident I can keep perameters under control I'd like to add a few soft corals in, maybe a clam.

Leave a clam alone for at least a year. It takes that long, as a basic rule, for the tank to mature and stabilize enough for a clam.

Also, a coral only tank will cause you less headaches than a fo tank. Get some mushrooms and zooanthids, they are very easy to take care of. The lighting requirements on a shallower tank are a lot less than a tall tank and just about anything you want to keep in it is very feasible, as long as it doesn't outgrow the tank.

And, 8" isn't very deep for fish.