Setting up a first time tank

[Hiimscott]

Hey guys, I was inspired by some YouTube videos to start my own tank. I live in Australia 10 minutes from the ocean so I plan to use fresh water for water changes.

to start with I just wanted something small I got a 20l tank with a cheap filter. My lfs told me this is probably too small which some might agree but I was looking at some all on one systems like the Fluval but many recommend upgrading the light and ditching the hood all together, so really all you're paying for is a filter and a tank.

I'm wondering what you guys would recommended for filtration, should I buy a better filter or go straight to a skimmer?
I have bought some live rock from my lfs, it's started to grow gome sponges on it already in a few days so it must be fresh stuff.
Any info will be appreciated!
thanks

 

[gbroadbridge]

Personally, I think you need to rethink the tank.

A fluval Evo 13.5 is around 50 litre and you really shouldn't attempt anything smaller as a first tank, esp if you want to have fish.

You could buy a plain tank for about $70 but by the time you buy lights, pumps, etc the Evo would work out cheaper.

I have an Evo in the office, it is a good tank and the lighting is fine to start with.

 

[Hiimscott]

Personally, I think you need to rethink the tank.

A fluval Evo 13.5 is around 50 litre and you really shouldn't attempt anything smaller as a first tank, esp if you want to have fish.

You could buy a plain tank for about $70 but by the time you buy lights, pumps, etc the Evo would work out cheaper.

I have an Evo in the office, it is a good tank and the lighting is fine to start with.

I would plan to upgrade the tank after 6 months, I've bought a Dymax light that is recommended for up to 50l

I just wanted to make sure I enjoyed salt water as much as I do fresh water.
Hoping I can put everything I've purchased so far into the bigger tank

 

[CoastalTownLayabout]

Hey mate, you can have plenty of success with a little 20L set up. The small Seachem Tidal might be a good match for your tank. Just use it for the surface skimming, mechanical and occasional chemical filtration otherwise you’ll be sweet with the goodness of Aussie natural sea water changes.

Zoanthids would be good in a 20L. You can go fully down the rabbit hole with them.

 

[Hiimscott]

Hey mate, you can have plenty of success with a little 20L set up. The small Seachem Tidal might be a good match for your tank. Just use it for the surface skimming, mechanical and occasional chemical filtration otherwise you’ll be sweet with the goodness of Aussie natural sea water changes.

Zoanthids would be good in a 20L. You can go fully down the rabbit hole with them.

Do you think the Dymax is a good option for a 50l tank?

was thinking of adding another kg of live rock too, I'll look into the filter, thanks!

 

[exnisstech]

Many people run a tank successfully with no mechanical filtration, just flow.

 

[CoastalTownLayabout]

Not sure which Dymax you’ve got? Is it the SpaceX?

If you want to move up to 50L you could get the Waterbox Cube 10 or Peninsula 15. Good little AIO’s. I have a Cube 10 atm and it’s been great. They’re a clean set up, easy to work with and keep your heater, filtration and ATO out of the display.

You won’t really need a protein skimmer for a 50L and there’s not a lot of good options in this size bracket anyway. Surface skimming on the other hand is a definite plus and a built in benefit of the AOI’s. If you go with a standard tank you’re looking at either the Seachem Tidal HOB or Tunze Comline internal to incorporate surface skimming. I’ve used the Tunze Comline in ADA nano reefs. It’s pretty good, takes up a bit of space but holds a heater and ATO which is a bonus. I prefer the AIO’s though.

 

[Hiimscott]

Not sure which Dymax you’ve got? Is it the SpaceX?

If you want to move up to 50L you could get the Waterbox Cube 10 or Peninsula 15. Good little AIO’s. I have a Cube 10 atm and it’s been great. They’re a clean set up, easy to work with and keep your heater, filtration and ATO out of the display.

You won’t really need a protein skimmer for a 50L and there’s not a lot of good options in this size bracket anyway. Surface skimming on the other hand is a definite plus and a built in benefit of the AOI’s. If you go with a standard tank you’re looking at either the Seachem Tidal HOB or Tunze Comline internal to incorporate surface skimming. I’ve used the Tunze Comline in ADA nano reefs. It’s pretty good, takes up a bit of space but holds a heater and ATO which is a bonus. I prefer the AIO’s though.

Yeah the SpaceX. I haven't got it yet it's on back order, I can change it to the Aqua Illumination Prime 16 HD if this is a better light for a bigger Tank?
I looked into those tanks, is the filter built into those better than the Fluval tank? I can get them for the same price here in aus.

thought I'd add that I only really plan on having a lot of clowns, a shrimp, few snails and mayne a star fish with corals, my favourite type is anemone

 

[CoastalTownLayabout]

AI Prime is the better light, more options but obviously more expensive. You won’t be disappointed with it.

I have no experience with Fluval AOI’s so can’t really advise which is better.

Have a look at Simple Aquariums YouTube channel. West Aussie girl who amongst other projects has an anemone tank going atm with some skunk clowns. She uses natural sea water and is pretty transparent about her successes and failures.