22 gallon possibilties?

[Jack]

hello everyone,

i am about to inherit a 22 gallon formerly freshwater tank from my
sister. I Already have a 10 gallon freshwater tank and would love to
start a saltwarer tank.

my question is im told u have to have a 55 gallon tank, but from
others they say thats bull****. Just wanted to know if having a
sal****er gallon tank is feasible. I just want to put a couple of fish
in it but i dont want it to look dirty and such. Just wanted to know
if it is possible, how much work and what i need to convert.

thanks

[Billy]

Of course it is possible. However, I will be honest with you, the
smaller the tank, the easier it is to eff it up. I have seen
incredibly successful tanks as small as 2 or 3 gallons, so don't let
anyone tell you different. It *is* wise to start with a larger tank
if you're a n00b, but it can be done.

Start with research.
http://faq.thekrib.com/sbegin.html
www.garf.org
www.reefcentral.com
is a start. There are others. Remember that LFS personel aren't gods,
and they are, after all, trying to get you to spend money.

Couple rules to never forget: (1) Start out slow, then slow down
after that. Particularily with a small tank. Things can go to hell
quick in a tank that small. (2) Never skimp when you buy your protein
skimmer. Buy the best damn skimmer you can afford. Sell the wife if
you have to. Now, I know some very skilled nano-reefers are likely to
flame me for some of what I've said, but, take both their advice as
well as mine with a grain of salt. What works for one may not work
for another and vice-versa. Do your own research, come to your own
conclusions and don't take one persons' word for anything.


Welcome to the hobby\obsession. Keep posting!
--
---
billy
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"Jack" > wrote in message
om...
| hello everyone,
|
| i am about to inherit a 22 gallon formerly freshwater tank from my
| sister. I Already have a 10 gallon freshwater tank and would love
to
| start a saltwarer tank.
|
| my question is im told u have to have a 55 gallon tank, but from
| others they say thats bull****. Just wanted to know if having a
| sal****er gallon tank is feasible. I just want to put a couple of
fish
| in it but i dont want it to look dirty and such. Just wanted to
know
| if it is possible, how much work and what i need to convert.
|
| thanks


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[Ed]

"Billy" > wrote in news:y-adnY0GCNIZ0u7cRVn-
:

> Of course it is possible. However, I will be honest with you, the
> smaller the tank, the easier it is to eff it up. I have seen
> incredibly successful tanks as small as 2 or 3 gallons, so don't let
> anyone tell you different. It *is* wise to start with a larger tank
> if you're a n00b, but it can be done.
>
> Start with research.
> http://faq.thekrib.com/sbegin.html
> www.garf.org
> www.reefcentral.com
> is a start. There are others. Remember that LFS personel aren't gods,
> and they are, after all, trying to get you to spend money.
>
> Couple rules to never forget: (1) Start out slow, then slow down
> after that. Particularily with a small tank. Things can go to hell
> quick in a tank that small. (2) Never skimp when you buy your protein
> skimmer. Buy the best damn skimmer you can afford. Sell the wife if
> you have to. Now, I know some very skilled nano-reefers are likely to
> flame me for some of what I've said, but, take both their advice as
> well as mine with a grain of salt. What works for one may not work
> for another and vice-versa. Do your own research, come to your own
> conclusions and don't take one persons' word for anything.
>
>
> Welcome to the hobby\obsession. Keep posting!

they say the bigger the tank the better. Thats because, lets say your
water starts going bad in a 55, you have time to fix it. The smaller the
tank the less time to fix it.

[Cindy]

>
> they say the bigger the tank the better. Thats because, lets say your
> water starts going bad in a 55, you have time to fix it. The smaller
> the tank the less time to fix it.

But if you're careful, go slow, read a lot and learn what to buy and how to
put it together online and DON'T listen to what most fish store employees
tell you, a small tank can be wonderful.

Don't go to a Petco or Petsmart or other chain pet shop to buy marine fish,
live rock or anything but basic supplies. The employees usually (not always
but usually) know little or nothing about what they're selling and the
livestock is often sick. Go to a FISH store and preferably a MARINE fish
store if there's one near you.

Cindy

[Marc Levenson]

Feel free to visit my site, linked below. I had a 29g for 6
years with good success.

Marc


Jack wrote:
> hello everyone,
>
> i am about to inherit a 22 gallon formerly freshwater tank from my
> sister. I Already have a 10 gallon freshwater tank and would love to
> start a saltwarer tank.
>
> my question is im told u have to have a 55 gallon tank, but from
> others they say thats bull****. Just wanted to know if having a
> sal****er gallon tank is feasible. I just want to put a couple of fish
> in it but i dont want it to look dirty and such. Just wanted to know
> if it is possible, how much work and what i need to convert.
>
> thanks

--
Personal Page:
http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[John]

I'm running a 12 gallon tank. No problems as of yet. I added a sump to it
this past week so now I'm running ~20 gallons. They have a saying, "the
solution to pollution is dilution", so there lies the reason why people go with
bigger tanks. If you go slow, dont overfeed or overcrowd, get the skimmer, you
should be alright.

Also check out nano-reef.com, it's the best resource I've found for small
tanks. reefcentral.com also has a nano forum.
~John

[Jack]

Thanks guys for all the help. I have looked ove rthe FAQ's I am just
confused with some of the lingo.

I have a freshwater heater, filter, now i went to the pet store the
other day and they said they can convert the filter if it is not
seated, what does he mean?

I assume once i get the filter seated and i get salt water testing
kits and a protein skimmer thats all i need correct? aside from salt.

also what types of fish would be good, i wanted to do at least one
clown fish and always wanted one of those blue hermit crabs. I was
just going to get fake coral or and maybe a fake anemone cause im told
lighting needs to be great for them. i want to make the tank look very
bright and i heard live rock is good for the tank but the live rock
looks like crap in the pet store near me. i only have a petco and
petsmart near me so as u can tell im a little lost.

Thanks for all the help.

[Squash]

(Jack) wrote in news:6f8d7cfd.0410181201.2a0ecef5
@posting.google.com:

> Thanks guys for all the help. I have looked ove rthe FAQ's I am just
> confused with some of the lingo.
>
> I have a freshwater heater, filter, now i went to the pet store the
> other day and they said they can convert the filter if it is not
> seated, what does he mean?
>
> I assume once i get the filter seated and i get salt water testing
> kits and a protein skimmer thats all i need correct? aside from salt.
>
> also what types of fish would be good, i wanted to do at least one
> clown fish and always wanted one of those blue hermit crabs. I was
> just going to get fake coral or and maybe a fake anemone cause im told
> lighting needs to be great for them. i want to make the tank look very
> bright and i heard live rock is good for the tank but the live rock
> looks like crap in the pet store near me. i only have a petco and
> petsmart near me so as u can tell im a little lost.
>
> Thanks for all the help.
>

Where are you located? If Near Chicago or Rockford I might be able to
assist.

[Billy]

"Jack" > wrote in message
om...
|
| I have a freshwater heater, filter, now i went to the pet store the
| other day and they said they can convert the filter if it is not
| seated, what does he mean?
|

I've never heard the term, myself. What type of filter is it? If
you're going to have Live Rock, you may not need any filter besides
the skimmer.


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[Cindy]

Jack wrote:
> Thanks guys for all the help. I have looked ove rthe FAQ's I am just
> confused with some of the lingo.
>
> I have a freshwater heater, filter, now i went to the pet store the
> other day and they said they can convert the filter if it is not
> seated, what does he mean?

That would be SEEDED, with bacteria. The best filter for your tank is live
rock and live sand. And "seeding" is the term used to put some sand from an
established tank into your system to start the bacteria growing. Did they
talk to you about the biological filter?

>
> I assume once i get the filter seated and i get salt water testing
> kits and a protein skimmer thats all i need correct? aside from salt.

You also need to do more reading so that you know how the biological filter
works and how to optimize it. You don't just buy a bunch of stuff, plunk it
all together and expect everything to live.

>
> also what types of fish would be good, i wanted to do at least one
> clown fish and always wanted one of those blue hermit crabs. I was
> just going to get fake coral or and maybe a fake anemone cause im told
> lighting needs to be great for them. i want to make the tank look very
> bright and i heard live rock is good for the tank but the live rock
> looks like crap in the pet store near me. i only have a petco and
> petsmart near me so as u can tell im a little lost.

The live rock filters the tank. If you don't have it, you better use an
undergravel filter or have a good canister filter. Even if you're not going
to have anemones and corals, live rock is good for your fish. It seldom
looks great when you buy it, especially from a Petco or Petsmart.

Cindy

[CapFusion]

"Cindy" > wrote in message
m...
> > also what types of fish would be good, i wanted to do at least one
> > clown fish and always wanted one of those blue hermit crabs. I was
> > just going to get fake coral or and maybe a fake anemone cause im told
> > lighting needs to be great for them. i want to make the tank look very
> > bright and i heard live rock is good for the tank but the live rock
> > looks like crap in the pet store near me. i only have a petco and
> > petsmart near me so as u can tell im a little lost.
>
> The live rock filters the tank. If you don't have it, you better use an
> undergravel filter or have a good canister filter. Even if you're not
going
> to have anemones and corals, live rock is good for your fish. It seldom
> looks great when you buy it, especially from a Petco or Petsmart.
>
> Cindy
>

Cindy, best are not to recommend undergravel and canister. These will trap
and release extra nutrient to the reef system in the tank. Best
recommendation is simply use Protein Skimmer to help remove any nutrient
that are floating around and have good water movement.

CapFusion,...

[RicSeyler]

You missed one of the MOST IMPORTANT pieces of advise.
Never listen to the Pet Store Drone!!!

Nix the filter and get the most expensive recommended skimmer
you can afford.

And don't do the cheesy fake corals..

Oh and one more thing, Don't Listen to the Pet Store Drone!!!
LOL

Jack wrote:

>Thanks guys for all the help. I have looked ove rthe FAQ's I am just
>confused with some of the lingo.
>
>I have a freshwater heater, filter, now i went to the pet store the
>other day and they said they can convert the filter if it is not
>seated, what does he mean?
>
>I assume once i get the filter seated and i get salt water testing
>kits and a protein skimmer thats all i need correct? aside from salt.
>
>also what types of fish would be good, i wanted to do at least one
>clown fish and always wanted one of those blue hermit crabs. I was
>just going to get fake coral or and maybe a fake anemone cause im told
>lighting needs to be great for them. i want to make the tank look very
>bright and i heard live rock is good for the tank but the live rock
>looks like crap in the pet store near me. i only have a petco and
>petsmart near me so as u can tell im a little lost.
>
>Thanks for all the help.
>
>

--
Ric Seyler

[Cindy]

>> The live rock filters the tank. If you don't have it, you better
>> use an undergravel filter or have a good canister filter. Even if
>> you're not going to have anemones and corals, live rock is good for
>> your fish. It seldom looks great when you buy it, especially from a
>> Petco or Petsmart.
>>
>> Cindy
>>
>
> Cindy, best are not to recommend undergravel and canister. These will
> trap and release extra nutrient to the reef system in the tank. Best
> recommendation is simply use Protein Skimmer to help remove any
> nutrient that are floating around and have good water movement.
>
> CapFusion,...

It doesn't sound like he wants a reef tank, so I figured it was safe to
recommend UG. I kept a 50-gal. fish-only tank with an UG and a canister for
4 years with no problems, years ago before reef tanks were heard of. But I
agree, not for a reef tank for sure.
Are people not using UGs at all anymore, even for fish-only tanks?

Cindy

[CapFusion]

"Cindy" > wrote in message
...
>
> >> The live rock filters the tank. If you don't have it, you better
> >> use an undergravel filter or have a good canister filter. Even if
> >> you're not going to have anemones and corals, live rock is good for
> >> your fish. It seldom looks great when you buy it, especially from a
> >> Petco or Petsmart.
> >>
> >> Cindy
> >>
> >
> > Cindy, best are not to recommend undergravel and canister. These will
> > trap and release extra nutrient to the reef system in the tank. Best
> > recommendation is simply use Protein Skimmer to help remove any
> > nutrient that are floating around and have good water movement.
> >
> > CapFusion,...
>
> It doesn't sound like he wants a reef tank, so I figured it was safe to
> recommend UG. I kept a 50-gal. fish-only tank with an UG and a canister
for
> 4 years with no problems, years ago before reef tanks were heard of. But
I
> agree, not for a reef tank for sure.
> Are people not using UGs at all anymore, even for fish-only tanks?
>
> Cindy
>
>

This suggest sound like contradicting from my previous reply. FOWLR w/UG is
somewhat acceptable in a way of fish only. Since fish can tolerate nitrate
but if you can help it or control it, why put in or produce nitrate in the
first place.
[General example.]
General people can tolerate some smog in the city that XXXX item or thing
produce. Eventhough general people can tolerate it, does not mean they like
it or confortable with it. Eventually, these inhabitant may get use to it.
It also may affect their health by shorten it ... etc.
[/General example]

Since your the god of your fish tank, knowing UG may cause nitrate, why not
just do not use it.
You did not know from the past but now you know today.

Maybe there something bad that is in the tank now but only future may tell.

CapFusion,...