Help achieving this: Link inside.

Hey guys, I'm looking to set up my first tank. I want it as primarily a nice little tank to house a couple of Clowns, maybe a Royal Gramma and one or two other small fish. The tank I am looking at buying is a 35 gallon (Long - 24.5", Deep - 16.5", Height - 21").

Here is a link to the tank and what come with it:

eBay Australia: Buy new & used fashion, electronics & home d

As I said, I am looking to set up a small marine tank. Some live rock to grow a little coral (nothing too fancy, see below for an idea of what I'm aiming for).

‪35 gallon saltwater reef aquarium‬‏ - YouTube

I was wondering, on top of what comes with that tank in the ebay link I provided, what else would I need? Obviously I will need some salt, live rock (about 30 pound worth?), but what else? I don't want an overly complicated set up, and it can't be too loud as it will be for my bedroom.

Thanks so much for any assistance!

welcome to reef-geeks!!

There will be lots of opinions about how you can achieve your tank But its totally possible!

Do you think you will want to keep any corals as well, or just the fish?? An anemone would be really nice and give your clowns something to play in

If you are not planning on many corals, and just a few fish like you mention, I bet you could get away with a HOB refugium (which eliminates the need for a sump, which can create noise)

Thanks a lot for the reply! I like the idea of having a few coral (like in that youtube video I linked). I was hoping that with only a few like that I wouldn't need a sump, hence why I want to keep the tank relatively simple A sump seems like a pain to get going for me (I'm just a beginner). I was also thinking of adding an anemone down the road for the clownies to play in.

Any further advice would be greatly appreciated

Welcome Aboard!!

So all 3 of my tanks are 35 gallons or less. I have no sump on any of them. Two of them have built-in refugiums and overflows, and one has a Fluval 405 filter (I would not recommend this - it was our last-minute attempt at a proper filter after acquiring the tank and learning it had an under-gravel filter that was about 15 years old O_o). All my tanks are doing very well. AND I have LOTS of coral in one of my tanks ^_^

I think a HOB fuge, like Joanne suggested, would be just fine Just my two cents ^_^

maybeshewill

Dont let a sump scare you away from a reef tank. They make things so much easier and arent hard to set up.

Whats a ruff budget and what stuff do you want to keep?

Thanks Lady and Chris for the assistance. Well, assuming I get that tank for around $200, I wouldn't want to spend more than another $3-400 or so. In the description, it says it does come with a pump, filter and heater.. though I am unsure of the brands of them and how good they really are.

@ Chris: I wouldn't mind so much having a sump if it wasn't too expensive, wasn't too noisy and it didn't take up additional space (not sure if it can fit under the tank in the cabinet, it's only 24" wide?). I am not very educated in how these work though.

Thanks again guys!

Welcome to the site!!!!

I'm on a budget too. I started out like you and now I don't even want to know what I've spent now lol.

It's something that if you plan it will all work out. I would really recommend a HOB refugium or a sump to help things out with your tank. I've done both and like the sump option.

When are you planning on making the purchase?

Well, the tank auction ends in a few days, so I'll be ready to go out and purchase what I need in a few days if I win it I actually have other hobbies/jobs which I have a lot of money invested in (guitar/audio engineering), so I can't spend too much here unfortunately! I just want a pretty little reef to stare at in my room haha :P

I'm not too sure how much I'll need to spend to get something up and running like what's in the youtube video. I won't need as much live rock as it has, as my tank isn't quite as long.
Would the Aqua Clear 110 HOB refugium be a good choice and would it be adequate?

Any more tips on what I'll need would be awesome.

Thanks again guys!

Those HOB ones are great. Just stuff it full of macro algae and get a little flow into it and you're fine.

Sounds great. Not too expensive Is there anything else that I must buy to add to that ebay listing tank? I mean, I know I'll have to get some live rock, salt, water testing kit, some form of substrate, but anything else I'm missing? Maybe a powerhead, but the tank does come with a pump. Also, I am unsure as to whether the lighting that's on that tank will be enough.

The tank comes with a filter, though I'll use the AquaClear 110 instead. It comes with a heater as well, though I'm not sure what type it is.

As for stocking, I was thinking 1 or 2 clowns, then maybe 2-3 more? I like the look of the Royal Gramma, Blue/Green Chromis, Fridmani Pseudochromis and Six-Line Wrasse, though I am not 100% sure of their compatibility with each other/tank size.

Sorry to be a pain and ask so many questions! I feel silly. I just want to make sure I don't rush into anything uninformed. I would never want to hurt another living creature.

Just getting a pair of clowns is probably best. I have four, but in an 8 ft long tank.

Originally Posted by maybeshewill

...Maybe a powerhead, but the tank does come with a pump. Also, I am unsure as to whether the lighting that's on that tank will be enough....

...As for stocking, I was thinking 1 or 2 clowns, then maybe 2-3 more? I like the look of the Royal Gramma, Blue/Green Chromis, Fridmani Pseudochromis and Six-Line Wrasse, though I am not 100% sure of their compatibility with each other/tank size...

Getting a powerhead depends on how powerful your return pump is. I would wait to buy one until after you've set up your tank and see how forceful your return is. I ended up adding one small powerhead to my 29 gallon because while the return pump was pretty strong, I wanted a little more flow.

Depending on what you decide to put in your tank will determine if your lights will be good enough. If you want corals, most of the time the standard lighting that comes with a tank is not enough. There are some corals that don't need a lot of lighting, but most do, since that is what they need to grow. If you're planning on sticking to mostly fish, then the standard lighting will be just fine.

I would say yes to 2 clowns, but add no more than 2 fish after - maybe the gramma and wrasse?

Originally Posted by maybeshewill

Sorry to be a pain and ask so many questions! I feel silly. I just want to make sure I don't rush into anything uninformed. I would never want to hurt another living creature.

Not a pain at ALL - and always ask lots of questions!! You are going about this 100% the right way! A lot of people - including me - have been guilty of jumping right into things with no knowledge, and paying the price later on. Good on you for doing your homework ahead of time!

Isnt the Aqua Clear 110 a power filter that people turn into a refugium? IIRC those filters are pretty small so i doubt it will do much for you.

Sumps are easy to make and most people just use a standard glass aquarium that will fit under their stand. Then they will either get glass cut or use a plastic cutting board and make baffles for it. If the plumbing is done correctly then they can be silent. If you go this route make sure you use a wide and shallow aquarium as opposed to a tall skinny one.

I looked at the auction again and they dont list much about that tank. Its hard to tell from the photos but it looks to me that this aquarium is one that has the filtration built into the back of it. I dont think i would buy anything for it until you have the aquarium in your hands and know exactly what comes with it.

Originally Posted by LadyOfIreland

Getting a powerhead depends on how powerful your return pump is. I would wait to buy one until after you've set up your tank and see how forceful your return is. I ended up adding one small powerhead to my 29 gallon because while the return pump was pretty strong, I wanted a little more flow.

No problems thanks! I'll test it out if I decide to get that tank.

Originally Posted by LadyOfIreland

Depending on what you decide to put in your tank will determine if your lights will be good enough. If you want corals, most of the time the standard lighting that comes with a tank is not enough. There are some corals that don't need a lot of lighting, but most do, since that is what they need to grow. If you're planning on sticking to mostly fish, then the standard lighting will be just fine.

I do plan to house a few coral, pretty much like the youtube video. Not a huge amount but I do want to add some life to the rocks I'm open to suggestions for a light system for a 35 gallon if anyone has any?

Originally Posted by LadyOfIreland

I would say yes to 2 clowns, but add no more than 2 fish after - maybe the gramma and wrasse?

Sounds good! Such pretty fish. Would the Green/Blue Chromis be compatible if I wanted one of those instead of the Wrasse?

As for the built in filtration on the tank, I think you're right. How is the quality generally on these built in filtration system tanks? If they aren't so flash, is it possible to bypass it and use the Aqua Clear 110 modded into a HOB refugium as a substitute? Would it be better for me to skip that tank and get a cheaper one that comes with nothing and choose everything to put in it?

Isnt the Aqua Clear 110 a power filter that people turn into a refugium? IIRC those filters are pretty small so i doubt it will do much for you.

Sumps are easy to make and most people just use a standard glass aquarium that will fit under their stand. Then they will either get glass cut or use a plastic cutting board and make baffles for it. If the plumbing is done correctly then they can be silent. If you go this route make sure you use a wide and shallow aquarium as opposed to a tall skinny one.

Yes, it is a power filter, but apparently you can mod it to a HOB refugium, link below:

Aquaclear 500 (110) refugium - Tropical Fish Forums at the Age of Aquariums



Thanks!

maybeshewill

Originally Posted by maybeshewill

Sounds good! Such pretty fish. Would the Green/Blue Chromis be compatible if I wanted one of those instead of the Wrasse?

Absolutely! Green chromis are considered the "goldfish" of saltwater tanks - they're a good starter fish and pretty much compatible with anything. I would suggest a school, but no more than 3. I've got 3 in my 35, and while they were small when I bought them, they are HUGE now!

Originally Posted by maybeshewill

As for the built in filtration on the tank, I think you're right. How is the quality generally on these built in filtration system tanks? If they aren't so flash, is it possible to bypass it and use the Aqua Clear 110 modded into a HOB refugium as a substitute? Would it be better for me to skip that tank and get a cheaper one that comes with nothing and choose everything to put in it?



Yes, it is a power filter, but apparently you can mod it to a HOB refugium, link below:

Aquaclear 500 (110) refugium - Tropical Fish Forums at the Age of Aquariums



Thanks!

Quality is generally "meh", which is the best I can describe I have always done mods on any filtration system included in my tanks I purchase for saltwater. Most of them come with media that is really only ideal for freshwater. A lot of it doesn't really work for a reef system.

I would definitely consider buying a cheaper tank and choosing everything you want for it, especially if you're finding more and more things you would modify about the tank you'd buy. You'd be changing all the things that you'd be essentially paying for :P No good!

I love buying naked tanks and dressing them up with my own mods and equipment I'm familiar with or have seen in person It's a lot more fun, and you end up having a better-equipped tank.

Thanks for the tip! It's unfortunate, that was a beautiful tank stand too! Haha. Well, I do wish to keep the total price under $500 if at all possible.

Assuming I can get a nice 3ft or so tank from gumtree (kind of Australia's cragslist) for around $80, that leaves me with just over $400 to work with.

Is anyone able to break that $420 down into items that you think would be best for a 35-40 gallon tank capable of doing pretty much what's in that youtube video. A few fish, some live rock and a few nice coral. Maybe an anemone down the track (6+ months).

I'll probably need around $50-70 for 25lbs of live rock. Not too sure on the cost of a decent heater, refugium, substrate, salt and whatever else I need.

hmmmmmmmm.... Here is my "need list" for a 25 gallon tank I'm building right now:

Tank - $100
DIY Stand - $50
Heater - $30 (50 watt)
Circulation Pump - $30 (MJ1200 or similar)
HOB fuge with light, and pump - $50 (used)
HOB skimmer - $100 (CPR of sorts)
Lighting - $200 (T5s probably)
+ Livestock

To put some perspective on things

Of course, you can get away without a skimmer, thats optional.... and fancy lighting if all you want to keep is fish, they can live in the dark, you just want lights on a fish only tank so you can see the fish

So, you could plan on fish for now, skip the light, and upgrade the lighting later on down the road when you feel like investing more...

you might be able to find your T5s cheaper. I met a sales rep for a lighting company and he gave me two 48" 6 bulb T5HO fixtures. I just had to mount them. It pays off to know ppl.

Thanks guys, really appreciated. I will need decent lighting as I am hoping to add a few coral like in that youtube video. I've seen the T5's mentioned a lot, I guess they are considered the best?

Any recommendations as to what brand/product fuge w/ light/pump to buy that is efficient buy doesn't cost and arm and a leg? The skimmer as well, how necessary is it? Could I last a while without one in a 35-40 gallon until a few months down the track when I may add one?

You've all been a huge help!