30G Aquarium Set-Up

[edge78041]

I will be setting up a saltwater aquarium in the next few weeks and registered here for more information. Can someone tell me if I need a sump for a 30 Gallon aquarium, also what would be the simplest set up. Also, how much live rock and live sand do I need.

I am trying to set this up on a budget.

Thanks in advance,
edge78041
.

[CD]

I wouldn't say you *have* to have a sump for a 30G set up, but just remember - the more water volume the better off you are. Plus, you can use portions of a sump as a refugium (even more beneficial). If you decide NOT to have a sump, I would recommend more frequent water changes. As far as the live sand, there is a LS calculator (look to your left under the heading "useful information" and click on "calculators"). On the live rock issue - it's hard to say an average, as some LR weighs more than others (density). You would probably be OK with about 35lbs or so depending on the rock density. ;)

Wendy :)

[technomex]

Is edge our first Laredo'an? Welcome to MAAST. I too come from the thriving metropolis that is Laredo.

[edge78041]

Hi edge, welcome to MAAST! :D

Nope, weThanks for the rapid responses. [quote]
You simply can't get an effective DSB in there so I went with a bare bottom, just glass.


If I go witht the bare bottom, do i have to buy more live rock. Can crushed coral do the job too.

-edge78041

[~TG~]

Hi Edge!!
I'm also a native Laredo'an!!! :shades ~ pretty cool ~
Well you came to the RIGHT place ~ all of these people are great!! They are all so helpfull and theres no such thing as a "dumb" question here... Trust me I've pretty much asked all of those already... LOL

I am trying to set this up on a budget.
Thats what I said when I first started.... :roll ~ Impossible~

Being a newbie myself the only thing I can say is....~ Are you sure you want to start out with a 30gallon?? Thats what I started with and it lasted ~ ohhh about 3 months... :roll There's just soo much out there and I realized it doesn't all fit in a 30.... :unsure If I could have done it all over again I would have started out with a bigger tank...cause when you upgrade ~ thats where the expense really hits the pocket...

Good luck and Welcome to MAAST!!!

~ Thelma

[Thunderkat]

If you start out with that small of a tank get some tough critters. I would recommend a cowrie as they are very tough.

For fish I would start off with a damsel.

After a while when you have everything running ok if you want a coral try mushrooms first.

The biggest thing I can recommend is to go slow and have patience.

Talk to Alex before you buy anything also.