Anybody with 40 gallons fish with life rocks?

[ikan]

I like to know if anybody here has done or have 40 gallons tank setup with fish and life rocks? I like to know your experience and equipments to run the system. Any info is appreciated.

[kelstorm]

I like to know if anybody here has done or have 40 gallons tank setup with fish and life rocks? I like to know your experience and equipments to run the system. Any info is appreciated.
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u might want to disclose what type of setup u looking at? if just fish only setup, it is very simple... u just need to consider the compatibility of the fishes... perhaps u might want to narrow down your definition.. so that we can help u better.. if not, very difficult leh.. []

[ikan]

I just want to have a simple system. The tank size is 21/2' X18" x18" 6mm glass. I like to put some life sand and life rocks with feather dusters. Fish selection will be a couple of clownfish, a couple of cardinals and sailfin tank. Do I need a strong light? Will 2 x 2' FL do to keep the live rocks alive? Also I want to use a cannister filter since I already have one. What else will I need except for protein skimmer?
PS: I don't want to change the water often maybe once every 6 - 8 weeks.

[ZeRoC00l]

For your tank size, it's not advisible to keep so many fish for a small tank.

For my 2.5ft X 16" X 15", I only have 3 fish: 2 clown 1 mandrine. And my NO3 is just abt 0 - 5ppm.

Though your trying for a FO <fish only>, still best not to overload your tank. Fish are more tolerant to NO2 / NO3 but still not good in long term.

Your lightings need not be strong, just enough light to see @@ your fish. LR <live rock> do not need light. they are termed "live" becos of the living things/ organism in them.

If i missed anything or am wrong abt anything pls do correct me
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I just want to have a simple system. The tank size is 21/2' X18" x18" 6mm glass. I like to put some life sand and life rocks with feather dusters. Fish selection will be a couple of clownfish, a couple of cardinals and sailfin tank. Do I need a strong light? Will 2 x 2' FL do to keep the live rocks alive? Also I want to use a cannister filter since I already have one. What else will I need except for protein skimmer?
PS: I don't want to change the water often maybe once every 6 - 8 weeks

[kelstorm]

Also I want to use a cannister filter since I already have one.
what model? i seriously recommend Eheim 2227 if u want to use canister..it will help u with the breakdown of wastes.

What else will I need except for protein skimmer?
lots!!!.. like hydrometer, salt, err.. i can't recall.. hahaha.. supplements.. u might want to take a look at the FAQ.. i listed almost all the necessary basic stuff required.

PS: I don't want to change the water often maybe once every 6 - 8 weeks
that depends on your bio-load.. and your NO3 readings..if u dun want to change often, low bio-load like zerocool.. and u just need to dose supplements to replenish the tank

I just want to have a simple system. The tank size is 21/2' X18" x18" 6mm glass.
For your tank size, it's not advisible to keep so many fish for a small tank.
agreed.. the sailfin tang will increase your bio-load by a big factor.. however, if u think u can manage the bio-load, then go for it.. however, i would recommend that u add slowly so that your tank can cope with it.. patience is the name of the game here.. another thing, 6mm might be a bit too thin.. try to go for at least 10mm to be safe or 8mm.. u need to consider the additional weight.. dun want to stress the tank

For my 2.5ft X 16" X 15", I only have 3 fish: 2 clown 1 mandrine. And my NO3 is just abt 0 - 5ppm.
zerocool... u can add a couple of fishes more if u like.. hehehe..
ikan, when u say a couple.. how much is a couple.. to some ppl, a couple could be like 5...

Though your trying for a FO <fish only>, still best not to overload your tank. Fish are more tolerant to NO2 / NO3 but still not good in long term.
agreed.. fishes are more tolerant than invertebrates..

Your lightings need not be strong, just enough light to see @@ your fish. LR <live rock> do not need light. they are termed "live" becos of the living things/ organism in them.
for a FO tank, the lightings that u mentioned is ok.. but what kinda of kelvins is it? i.e, light temperature and PAR.. that will help your live rocks to grow the desired calcarous algae..and live rock is termed that way due to the living organisms inside.

[ikan]

Thanks for the reply guys. This is why I never get into marine fish, too any restriction. But I will give it a try at least I am satisfied that I have done it. Yesterday I read an article on TFH about algae turf system, very interesting since I like to play around with aquarium equipments etc.
I figure that if I put big enough sump under the tank (inside the cabinet) that will increase the water volume from 40 gallons maybe to 70 gallos and I can put more fish in the tank but the aquarium still doesn't look too big and I can grow algae in the sump.

[Killerwhale]

Hi,

I do thing slightly in a more brave ways and quite success but have to change water weekly. I change one pail of water weekly for my 35 gallon tank which run on 2 filters (eheim 2227 and built in sump).

I got 14 fishes and the biggest one now is the yellow tang and the most precious one is the flame angel. Beside that, i still got 4 different type of shrimps and 2 hermit crabs, 2 star fishes and one sea horses.

All the inhabitant has been in my tank for 3 to 14 months. flame angel being the oldest in my tang and the sea horse is 3 months. The rest is about 10 months or so.

All my water parameters are near zero except for nitrates.

I think I'm able to sustain so long is because of weekly water change.

[ikan]

So it can be done small tank with many fish. I think your filtration systems also must be pretty good. What do you have in the sump? DO you have live rocks too? Any pictures?

[Killerwhale]

I do have pictures. but i don't have a personal website to upload the picture. Yes, plenty of live rock in my tank. I think about 20 kg or so. The sump set up is same as eheim cannister type. My main medium in the fiters are bio-home and bio-ball for the sump only (not cannister).

Actually, my problem of nitrates can be solved by denitrator. But the one that I want is not available in singapore (out of stock). I think there is this guy name Cedric used this denitrator and according to him, it is very effective.

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[ikan]

Are the cannister filter and sump the only filtrations you have? Yo are not using protein skimmer? Also with the sump is it just a cannister filter with different filter media? Thanks.

[kelstorm]

So it can be done small tank with many fish. I think your filtration systems also must be pretty good. What do you have in the sump? DO you have live rocks too? Any pictures?
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i dun advocate that... coz marine fishes are more territorial than freshwaters.. also, pls consider the growth size.. u dun want to stress your fishes.. also, filtration is very impt.. personally, me using live rocks, DSB, sump, protein skimmer, internal filters (more for providing current purposes)..and a overflow.. and with that, i have not changed my water for almost 1 yr..(lazy) [] but then, my nitrate level is like 10ppm.. most importantly, watch the bio-load if u dun wnat to change water too often..

[Killerwhale]

ikan,

Yes, I'm using red sea prism skimmer.

Frankly speaking, If you can afford and have the space. Go for big tank at least 4ft and integrate as many ways that you can for filtration i.e. sump, cannister, DSB....etc


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