The good, the bad, the ugly!

Saltwater Fish & Invertebrates Discussion
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Sandy
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My SetUp: 180gal saltwater reef, 6-80watt T5 lights, 2 powerheads in tank, 2 return pumps in a 40gal sump, uv sterilizer, gfo and carbon reactor.

The good, the bad, the ugly!

Post by Sandy » Tue Oct 20, 2009 10:01 pm

So I know this girl/person/PG that wants to set up a saltwater tank when she moves back home after college (god help me).
Anyway, she wants to try to set up a ten gallon tank. The smallest saltwater tank I used was a 20 gallon. It was kind of a pain. Nothing fancy, regular fluoresent top, hang on back of tank filter (the kind with the wheel). Only kept starfish found out at horn island in it, so it was not like a reef tank or anything. Also had a 55 gal tank at the same time, oh and a 40gal tall. All saltwater. The 55 was actually easier to take care of and I had nicer stuff in it. I guess my point is that my smaller tanks were much more work and more of a pain to take care of. Does anyone have a different experience, better perhaps? I now have a 180 gal reef/fish tank with a 30 gal. sump. Even less work to me than the 55. I could make more work for myself with my 180, but why, if things are growing and thriving, and I am happy? I know they have those smaller nano tanks out there and I have not looked into those. But what about a simple 10gal tank. Other opinions would be appreciated (cause we don't listen to mom half of the time anyway). Gerwin, maybe you can get her to come to this website to post her questions and to get info. I tried. I think she likes you better anyway. Lets see if we/YOU can help her out. And of course she wants to wait until she moves back home so she can use some of Moms stuff.haha.
But she does like to plan out things ahead. (she will change her mind as to what she wants in the tank several times) And that's okay. A 10gal would be too small for a lion fish right? What kind of things could she do or put in a tank that size if she really has her mind set on it?? I do love her, she is my critter kid! She gets it honest. :D

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Doug
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My SetUp: 1984: 90 gal. saltwater, O'Dell tank, Oceanic Systems cabinet stand, (2) Perfecto 48" strip lights with Vita-Lite Power Twists, Aqualogy Bio-Grade Plus Undergravel filter, (2) Hagen Aquaclear 800 power heads, Eheim 2217 canister filter with Chemi-Pure, Hawaiian Marine Angstrom 2537 UV sterilizer

Re: The good, the bad, the ugly!

Post by Doug » Tue Oct 20, 2009 10:28 pm

I once kept a 5 gallon salt tank for quite some time. It had a built-in UG filter, a piece of decorative coral, about 5 pounds of hair algae harvested from a 225 gallon tank, one bi-color angel, and the best 50 watt heater money could buy. That little bi-color thought he was in heaven.

Having said that, she should set up at least a 75. My favorite tank was always a 90-- 48x18x24. Greater surface area than 48x12, tall and deep enough for show type decoration, but not so tall as to make maintenance a pain.

C-21 USAF
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Re: The good, the bad, the ugly!

Post by C-21 USAF » Sun Nov 29, 2009 9:11 pm

I've had the small ones...take it from me, size matters. I'm happier with my 150 than I've been with any other smaller reef tank.

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