Getting my first Salt Water Tank

Nookuler · 09-22-2006, 01:49 PM

I'm finally getting my first SW tank, it's a small one (12 gal, from Marineland, buying it at Petco) and I was wondering since im gonna be at Petco anyways, what else should I buy? Do they sell skimmers, lights, filters, and all that sort of stuff for such a small tank? what should I do?

Thanks,
Ariel

ahill3780 · 09-23-2006, 01:58 AM

On the first trip I would just get the basics to get the tank started and take a look at what they have available.

The basics would be:

Tank
Salt
Heater
Hydrometer or Refractometer
Thermometer
Magnet cleaner
Filter

If you're getting a tank kit then the items listed in blue will likely be included along with a few other things.

You can decide on substrate later if nothing strikes your fancy there. Same with rock or decorations.

HTH,
Aaron

Nookuler · 09-23-2006, 11:07 AM

Aaron,
Thanks, I went out and bought some stuff (testing kit, 20lbs live sand, "dead" rocks, cheap protein skimmer, and a digital thermometer). Interesting enough, one of the guys working there was VERY informative about SW tanks and upkeep. My plan is to let the tank cycle for about 2 months and then get my 1st fish (probably a common clownfish) to get my feet wet.

Again thanks alot,
Ariel

ahill3780 · 09-23-2006, 02:52 PM

Sounds like a good plan for success to me.

Nookuler · 10-03-2006, 07:38 PM

Ok, so I still haven't set up my tiny tank because we're moving. Which brings me to my other problem, My wife is worried about the tank leaking and she wants me to get something to go under the stand. Has anyone found anything that goes under a stand, or am I just out 'o luck.

andy53 · 10-03-2006, 08:51 PM

I don't know of anything, I use just a regular towel folded to fit underneath.

thewebpop · 10-03-2006, 10:05 PM

I know you can buy drip/leak pans for Hot water tanks, maybe something from a building supply store would work for you. You could paint it to make it look more decorative. Thats about all I can think of.
Later, Pop's

Tommy Gun · 10-03-2006, 10:24 PM

Well, I have seen those 'drip pan' type deals at a LFS near me, but they did stand out and so I would stick to something you can find at a home depot or something like that. Maybe a slab of fake marble or something would be cool now that I think of it.

Anyways, my main point was that the advice given to me was to test, test, and retest all of my tank's seals and plumbing for things like skimmers and sumps with regular water to make sure they do not leak. YES, I realize your tank is small and most likely doesnt need a master plumber's help on setting it up (ok, mine neither), but maybe you can test it out a bit on a kitchen counter sink with one of those bases for dish racks to gain your wife's confidence. I would think it is pretty rare to find a tank that leaks, it would be much more of an issue with your tubes and hoses that are needed for filters, skimmers, and what not.

On the other hand, I had a 10 gallon fry tank that got 'tipped' over one time when my house got broken into (by a 4 year old, long story) and 10 gallons did make a pretty big mess on the under flooring beneath the carpet. I had renters insurance who fixed the damage and got me a new tank, but it was a hassle that I wouldnt want to go through again. Honestly, we were gone for three days during the summer, and the smell of fish water was the least of the problems we had.

Loman · 10-03-2006, 10:41 PM

Nookuler,
Based on your original post I am assuming you have an all in one nano tank of some sort. They often come in 12 and 14 gallon ranges. I am not familiar with the specific one mentioned. If that is the case most of these have a built in filter compartment etc. that works well and really reduced the potential for plumbing and plumbing leaks. You will always have the risk of the tank getting upset by some catastrophic event but no pan or other device is going to do too much in that case since you have no idea how far it will roll on the way to the floor. In general I probably put a towel under the tank to catch the odd dribble when you are charging things around and not worry too much. If you are really paranoid Pop's advice is pretty good and Home Depot /Lowe's etc. sell pans for washing machines which might work (personally I think they would be unsightly) I would suggest that you just want to be carefully with water changes and the like to avoid unneeded spills. Be especially careful with the gravel vacuum siphon and do not let it run uncontrolled.

Jay · 10-04-2006, 07:02 AM

I agree that a ten gallon is small enough to sit on the kitchen counter fill it up and see if it is tight.

When I work on my tank, which is heavily planted, I really have to get both hands into it for pruning, replanting etc. I put down several big Bath Towels around the bottom of the stand to catch drips, spills, etc. This is a Wife approved technique

Jay