Need advise on internal protein skimmer for small tank

[ikan]

I am thinking of getting a small marine tank 2'(w)x 20"(d)x 2.5'(h). I like to keep 1 pair of sea horses, a couple of gobies, 1 sailfin tang. Can anybody advise me on a good reliable internal protein skimmer that doesn't cost too much. Also what would be the minimum filter I need to keep them happy.
Do I need life sand in the tank?
I have never keep marine but have kept freshwater for more than 20 years.
How often I need to do water change? This is the part that make me less enthusiastic about salwater tank.
I always wonder if salwater tank will make metal work inside the house go rusty. Thanks.

[kelstorm]

I am thinking of getting a small marine tank 2'(w)x 20"(d)x 2.5'(h).
that is a small size for a tank and as a result, the tolerance of error is much smaller than that of bigger tanks. guess it is the same concept as that of FW tanks.

I like to keep 1 pair of sea horses, a couple of gobies, 1 sailfin tang.
bad choice. if u want to keep tangs, 2ft is not advisable.. coz they will increase your bio-load by a large margin. similarly, if u want to keep seahorses, keep them in a species tank. coz they will not be able to fight for food as compared to those gobies...
Can anybody advise me on a good reliable internal protein skimmer that doesn't cost too much.
u can try macro or Orca.. they will be fine for your 2ft.. but if u want to upgrade next time, they will not be sufficient.
Also what would be the minimum filter I need to keep them happy.
for a 2ft.. depends on your bio-load. me is keeping 2 pairs of seahorses in a 2ft tank and using a 2213.. but is intending to upgrade it to a 2229... yes a bit overkill but perhaps a 2028 will be sufficient.

Do I need life sand in the tank?
there is no such thing as live sand.. even if there is, it is gonna be very ex.. live sand is when the bacteria colonize the sand bed. and that is when u introduce live stocks

How often I need to do water change? This is the part that make me less enthusiastic about salwater tank.
for 2ft.. yes.. probably once a week.. depending on your bio-load.

I always wonder if salwater tank will make metal work inside the house go rusty. Thanks.
unless they are very near, or come into contact with the water.. otherwise, it is fine... it also have to depend on the ventilation of your place..

i would recommend that u do some reading up first..to minimise your chances of failure. u can try reading up on the FAQ.

[ikan]

Kelstorm thanks for your reply.
I think I better do more research before I start buying a tank and fish.
The LFS that I went to visit said it's okay to keep sailfin tank and seahorses together. I didn't think about the eating habits.

[kelstorm]

which lfs is that?? dun visit it.. never think of the feeding habits and i doubt they are encouraging u to be successful in keeping a marine tank. seahorses comes from grassy bays.. not reefs... common mistakes.

[kelstorm]

ikan, PM u.

[ikan]

Kelstrom you got PM.

By the way how much is macro or Orca protein skimmer for small tank in Singapore?

[kelstorm]

Orca is ard $20-30 for the smallest range while the macro is ard $30+. Orca needs a twin valve air pump to work while Macro needs a pump or powerhead to work.. alternatively, u can try getting a Prizm.. it cost ard $200+ and will work for up to 3.5ft

[ikan]

Sounds like macro is a good value for a small tank it's cheap and can take powerhead or airpump. Do you know the model number by any change?

[kelstorm]

i dun know what model australia might have.. but in singapore, there is 3 sizes available if i'm not wrong. take my word.. if u can afford it, got for the best such as H&S skimmer..u wun regret it.. coz u can still use it when u upgrade your tank.. however, it cost ard $650-850 here.

[ikan]

My friends use Berlin skimmer for their large tanks. Do H&S skimmer comes in small size too? $600+ for 150 liters tank is abit over the top. My plan is to get a cheap one that works < $100, if I decided to go for a big tank then I'll get a good one. If it cost $600 in Sing it will cost $900+ here though prices has been more competitive here.
If I decided to get a good one I will get it in SG when I visit Aquarama this year.

[kelstorm]

get it during aquarama then.. it is much cheaper then..

[ikan]

That's good to hear that they do discount during the show. Thanks Kelstrom.

[kelstorm]

no prob.. []