Is this suitable

[Craig]

Hi there all,

I am thinking of moving from FW to SW fish but have limited space for
the forseeable future, so i am limited to my presnt tank, a Jewel 125
31.5x18x13.5 inches. For filtration i was thinking of using the filter
installed in the tank and an Ehime ecco three chamber canister filter
along with another power head for further flow. The Ehime used to
service a 4 foot heavily stocked cichlid tank perfectly well.

So here's what i realy need to know before i go any further..

Would this tank be too small to keep a few fish in ? could i add a
smaller tank below in the cabinet to add extra volume ?

Is the filtration enough ?

Will i have enough light, i can fit two tubes under the hood.

What could i use to landscape the tank, i'm used to bogwood and plants
!!

All help and advise appreciated.

Regards

Craig

[Kelly]

The tank should be ok to start with apx. 35 gals yes you can add a
smaller tank underneath to add more room ( a SUMP )
Depending on what you keep you may need more water movement.
For filtration many who keep sw fish use a DSB deep sand bed or plenum
system it helps reduce nitrate. and provides a habitat for small
organisms who help keep the tank clean.

You may want to read some books on the subject as well as looking at
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/

good luck

Craig wrote:

> Hi there all,
>
> I am thinking of moving from FW to SW fish but have limited space for
> the forseeable future, so i am limited to my presnt tank, a Jewel 125
> 31.5x18x13.5 inches. For filtration i was thinking of using the filter
> installed in the tank and an Ehime ecco three chamber canister filter
> along with another power head for further flow. The Ehime used to
> service a 4 foot heavily stocked cichlid tank perfectly well.
>
> So here's what i realy need to know before i go any further..
>
> Would this tank be too small to keep a few fish in ? could i add a
> smaller tank below in the cabinet to add extra volume ?
>
> Is the filtration enough ?
>
> Will i have enough light, i can fit two tubes under the hood.
>
> What could i use to landscape the tank, i'm used to bogwood and plants
> !!
>
> All help and advise appreciated.
>
> Regards
>
> Craig
>

[JT]

Hey Craig,

The tank is ok, but the size limits you to how many fish you can have and
their size. Small fish would be best (i.e. goby, percular clown, blenny,
basslet or damsel ). I would advise that you add the following items:

Buy a good marine test kit to test the tank for cycling ( ammonia, nitrite,
nitrate, etc. ).
Read a good book on salt water tanks.
Add live rock ( bought locally ) and wait for the tank to cycle before
adding anything living. After it cycles it makes maintaining the tank much
easier and adds landscape value.
Then add algae eaters like hermits and snails. Wait a couple of weeks then
add a couple of small fish.
Get some live Calerpa if you want plants. I grow it well in my tank and it
looks awesome. You might need a better light if you wish to grow the marine
plants - a PC 96 watt works for me
In your filter... it uses carbon - change this media often because it can
cause large growth spurts of algae ( unless you don't care about algae ).
Make sure you don't let the tank evaporate too much. Add water sooner than
later.
Do monthly water changes of 10%.
If you have calerpa and you want it to thrive you need to add calcium about
once a week. You can buy reef calcium supplement in a bottle - follow the
manufacturers directions. The calerpa seems to keep the pest algae from
gaining an edge and over growing the tank.
That would do you fine unless you want larger fish, corals, clams, and
such... I had salt water fish for many years in a 30 gallon with a similar
filter, lighting and all was well.





Craig > wrote in message
...
> Hi there all,
>
> I am thinking of moving from FW to SW fish but have limited space for
> the forseeable future, so i am limited to my presnt tank, a Jewel 125
> 31.5x18x13.5 inches. For filtration i was thinking of using the filter
> installed in the tank and an Ehime ecco three chamber canister filter
> along with another power head for further flow. The Ehime used to
> service a 4 foot heavily stocked cichlid tank perfectly well.
>
> So here's what i realy need to know before i go any further..
>
> Would this tank be too small to keep a few fish in ? could i add a
> smaller tank below in the cabinet to add extra volume ?
>
> Is the filtration enough ?
>
> Will i have enough light, i can fit two tubes under the hood.
>
> What could i use to landscape the tank, i'm used to bogwood and plants
> !!
>
> All help and advise appreciated.
>
> Regards
>
> Craig
>