BRAND NEW to this. Please help me, I need all the info I can get before I start my tank!
After discovering how difficult it is to find Dwarf Cichlids close to me I am going to run with a SW tank for my 30 gallon. Here is what I currently have for it and/or what I want to do.
30 gallon bowfront tank, with stand, HOB Whisper filter, Eheim canister filter (rated up to 70 gallons), heater, glass lid with hinge, and standard 30 gallon hood with light.
From here I have looked and discovered I LOVE the look of black sand and do want to run that route. I have looked into getting Tahitian Moon Sand. And so far I believe I will be going with fish only with live rocks. I have looked up fish through Petco/Petsmart to see what kind I want. I have written down names, size, care level, temperment, diet, and recommended tank size. I will only be getting thing labeled "peaceful" as well as rate for 30 gallons or under for tank size. However, after that my knowledge stops. I have read some online but feel overwhelmed and feel I could get better advice from fellow fishboxers :heart: that would be easier to understand. I need advice on filtration system, best kind of water to use (have read up a little on RODI water but would have to drive an hour to get it at the closest), protein skimmers for best price, best stores for fish (other than Petco/Petsmart but yet around the Olympia/Lacey area about an hour away from me), and such. I plan on it being about a month or two before I purchase a protein skimmer. However I was wondering if I need a protein skimmer before I get fish? All confusing for me since I have only had at most a 10 gallon with standard tropical fish in it; tetras, angel fish, hatchets, and have recently been helping my boyfriend with his African Cichlid tank and learning some about them.
Fellow FishBoxers please help me
I know there are knowledgeable SW keepers that are able to help me with this!
After discovering how difficult it is to find Dwarf Cichlids close to me I am going to run with a SW tank for my 30 gallon. Here is what I currently have for it and/or what I want to do.
30 gallon bowfront tank, with stand, HOB Whisper filter, Eheim canister filter (rated up to 70 gallons), heater, glass lid with hinge, and standard 30 gallon hood with light.
From here I have looked and discovered I LOVE the look of black sand and do want to run that route. I have looked into getting Tahitian Moon Sand. And so far I believe I will be going with fish only with live rocks. I have looked up fish through Petco/Petsmart to see what kind I want. I have written down names, size, care level, temperment, diet, and recommended tank size. I will only be getting thing labeled "peaceful" as well as rate for 30 gallons or under for tank size. However, after that my knowledge stops. I have read some online but feel overwhelmed and feel I could get better advice from fellow fishboxers :heart: that would be easier to understand. I need advice on filtration system, best kind of water to use (have read up a little on RODI water but would have to drive an hour to get it at the closest), protein skimmers for best price, best stores for fish (other than Petco/Petsmart but yet around the Olympia/Lacey area about an hour away from me), and such. I plan on it being about a month or two before I purchase a protein skimmer. However I was wondering if I need a protein skimmer before I get fish? All confusing for me since I have only had at most a 10 gallon with standard tropical fish in it; tetras, angel fish, hatchets, and have recently been helping my boyfriend with his African Cichlid tank and learning some about them.
Fellow FishBoxers please help me
I know there are knowledgeable SW keepers that are able to help me with this!