Please help with basic questions for new tank?

[lizzie78]

Still have lots of questions. I finally decided on a tank though.

I decided to get a 16 gallon glass bow front. I liked the 7 gallon but the footprint of the 16 isn't much bigger and it offers me more space if I ever decide to venture into seahorse territory. I'll be sticking with seahorse-safe corals when I get to it.

[1] For a 16g, do I need a skimmer? I saw a fuge (?) that would fit on the back of the tank, it has a Bak Pak skimmer included. Would that be good or can I get away without it?

[2] Is UV sterilization necessary?

[3] Is there a "best" filter to use? [4] A "best" powerhead?

[5] What is the point of a spray bar?

[6] What is the best live rock?

Thanks for any help. I tend to over-research everything I do before starting, so I'm just trying to cover my bases. This will be my first saltwater tank after years of freshwater.

[Loverotties]

Originally Posted by lizzie78

Still have lots of questions. I finally decided on a tank though.

I decided to get a 16 gallon glass bow front. I liked the 7 gallon but the footprint of the 16 isn't much bigger and it offers me more space if I ever decide to venture into seahorse territory. I'll be sticking with seahorse-safe corals when I get to it.

[1] For a 16g, do I need a skimmer? I saw a fuge (?) that would fit on the back of the tank, it has a Bak Pak skimmer included. Would that be good or can I get away without it?No as long as you do your WC,but is always helpfull.

[2] Is UV sterilization necessary?No,but also helpfull.

[3] Is there a "best" filter to use?Live rock [4] A "best" powerhead?Micro jet
[5] What is the point of a spray bar?To help move the water on surface and/or behind rock.

[6] What is the best live rock?Curd with alot of nooks and cranny in it.

Thanks for any help. I tend to over-research everything I do before starting, so I'm just trying to cover my bases. This will be my first saltwater tank after years of freshwater.

[crvz]

[1] The smaller skimmer in that fuge would work well, but you could even keep to just water changes and be alright.

[2] Nope, I've never used a UV. Some folks like them, but I never have.

[3] A skimmer. Other filters cause more trouble in my experience.

[4] Tunze nanos

[5] To put flow in the tank in a way that distributes it over a large area.

[6] Anything that is very porous, the dense stuff is not as great. You can even make your own rock if you have the time (it's easy to make, but it can take 6-12 weeks to cure before you can put it in the tank).

[lizzie78]

Originally Posted by crvz

[3] A skimmer. Other filters cause more trouble in my experience.

[6] Anything that is very porous, the dense stuff is not as great. You can even make your own rock if you have the time (it's easy to make, but it can take 6-12 weeks to cure before you can put it in the tank).

Thank you both for your help...

What kind of trouble do other filters cause? Can I use a skimmer without the fuge? (Isn't a fuge just a name for the mini tank type thing that hangs on the back of your main tank? Sorry, I don't know all the terms yet!)

How do you make live rock? I read about buying live rock and "cooking" it - putting it in a rubbermaid type tub with a powerhead and heater and cleaning it out twice a week for 6-8 weeks. Is what you're talking about something different?

Thanks!

[crvz]

Other filters, like canister filters, biowheels, etc., usually trap wastes IN the water column. Without cleaning them frequently these wastes can break down and become trouble. You absolutely can use a skimmer without a fuge, I havent used a fuge for probably 4 years. Just get a nice hang-on skimmer and you'll be good to go.

I am talking about a different process than cooking rock, though I've done that myself. Here's a link from my local club where a guy made some really large rocks. It's a long thread, but I think it goes through the entire process.

http://marshreef.com/modules.php?nam...wtopic&t=25273

[lizzie78]

Thank you once again. I book marked that thread to read tomorrow. What have your favorite skimmers been? My tank will be 16 gallons.

~Lizzie