Question regarding a marine tank! Nitrogen cycle! - General

Hey guys! Quick question for you all, or the mariners of you in here (looking at you Ovb) I recently got a 15 gallon tall tank for Christmas! Specifically this tank here: [url]http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11390248[/url] So I have a few questions. Right now I'm not particularly affluent at the moment, but REALLY want to do a marine tank. At this point it's more about me wanting to just do it after so much hemming and hawwing, and knowing I've done a lot of research behind it. Okay, so the questions: --Looking at the filter itself, I know I can use for a tank this small a regular hang-off-the-back filter, as long as I'm frequent with water changes and have a good amount of live rock in their for my biotic filter. The problem though is the guy my dad bought it from insists that I buy a different filter, saying that this one couldn't handle the salt water. Here's the filter in question: [img]https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTbJXs4N2bxhAQJMwobtGN0wHkXKJmBtymwrmmOcF2nDMzPSiX5sQ[/img] Should I buy a different filter than this? If so what type of hanging filter? -My next question is, I have more money for this coming in at the end of the month. I have enough money for about 16 lbs of live rock and the premixed saltwater. This kit comes with a t5 and has a pretty good light diffuser on it so it should get enough light in there for now ( I can always buy better bulbs once I get to the point of wanting soft corals and such). Should I use the live rock to cycle my tank? I know that takes about a month or more so that would be good. -My final question is this, does anyone know some good starter fish and corals for a tank like this? Obviously I'm going to go in and ask at my store (great place called Reef Culture, everyone in the valley uses them and they're well known) but I want to know from you guys what would be a good idea, something preferably pretty hardy. I know I can't have a lot in a "micro" tank like this but I'm not worried about that, I just want to try and have a successful tank. I appreciate you guys looking at this, and thanks ahead of time for the advice! (or lack of at this point)

[QUOTE=ewitwins;39048134]Hey guys! Quick question for you all, or the mariners of you in here (looking at you Ovb) I recently got a 15 gallon tall tank for Christmas! Specifically this tank here: [url]http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11390248[/url] So I have a few questions. Right now I'm not particularly affluent at the moment, but REALLY want to do a marine tank. At this point it's more about me wanting to just do it after so much hemming and hawwing, and knowing I've done a lot of research behind it. Okay, so the questions: --Looking at the filter itself, I know I can use for a tank this small a regular hang-off-the-back filter, as long as I'm frequent with water changes and have a good amount of live rock in their for my biotic filter. The problem though is the guy my dad bought it from insists that I buy a different filter, saying that this one couldn't handle the salt water. Here's the filter in question: [img]https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTbJXs4N2bxhAQJMwobtGN0wHkXKJmBtymwrmmOcF2nDMzPSiX5sQ[/img] Should I buy a different filter than this? If so what type of hanging filter? [b]I'm not sure it matters what hob filter you get, they're all essentially the same principle. Fluval makes some good stuff if you feel like buying another one. I've used Marineland a lot too. Perhaps use the hob and just play around with the media inside it rather than use what comes with it.[/b] -My next question is, I have more money for this coming in at the end of the month. I have enough money for about 16 lbs of live rock and the premixed saltwater. This kit comes with a t5 and has a pretty good light diffuser on it so it should get enough light in there for now ( I can always buy better bulbs once I get to the point of wanting soft corals and such). Should I use the live rock to cycle my tank? I know that takes about a month or more so that would be good. [b]Yes.[/b] -My final question is this, does anyone know some good starter fish and corals for a tank like this? Obviously I'm going to go in and ask at my store (great place called Reef Culture, everyone in the valley uses them and they're well known) but I want to know from you guys what would be a good idea, something preferably pretty hardy. I know I can't have a lot in a "micro" tank like this but I'm not worried about that, I just want to try and have a successful tank. [b]You could probably get away with clowns, gobies, blennies, cardinals, damsels, chromis'. As for corals, you can do pretty much anything if you got the lights. Though soft corals are easier to start with so I'd do that.[/b] I appreciate you guys looking at this, and thanks ahead of time for the advice! (or lack of at this point)[/QUOTE] :zoid: [editline]2nd January 2013[/editline] Also: [url]http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/290620-supertech99s-15g-triumphant-return-to-reefing/[/url] Google around stuff like "Aqueon® 15 Gallon Column Deluxe reef tank" and you'll find loads of DIYers that you can take advice from. [editline]2nd January 2013[/editline] You could just turn the hob into a mini fuge, too. Just put a little led on it.

!!! I totally want to do that that sounds amazing! What would you think I could put in it, some sort of algae?

Fill the box with live rock chunks, and some chaetomorpha. Maybe some sand too. Can't really go wrong with it. Look up general info on Refugiums and then just scale it down.

[QUOTE=OvB;39081244]Fill the box with live rock chunks, and some chaetomorpha. Maybe some sand too. Can't really go wrong with it. Look up general info on Refugiums and then just scale it down.[/QUOTE] I'm thinking while I'm at it since I have a chunk of change, I'm just going to take the filter off altogether and make an acrylic refugium to hang off the back of the tank. I've been looking at what a lot of people are doing with this tank and that seems to be the best idea :)

schools of very tiny fish will always look better than many cramped big ones

[QUOTE=DesolateGrun;39114962]schools of very tiny fish will always look better than many cramped big ones[/QUOTE] Yes, that's another question I've been slowly answering. Right now I'm thinking two of the smaller clowns and possibly a Goby!

Be sure to take pictures.

Will do!!

Fellow novice here, having some success with a royal gramma. They're relatively small, my one has a favourite cave that (s)he sleeps in and retreats to. Here's what they look like: [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/YoLjx.jpg[/IMG] I'm hoping to get a pair of ocellaris clownfish at some point. Good luck with your fish!

Thanks! I was looking at the royal gamma as well, there are actually quite a few fish to choose from for this size of tank, regardless of what a lot of people say!

I was imagining something way bigger, more dangerous and on threads or at least wheels. I am highly dissapointed. But good luck with your fish tank.

[QUOTE=N1trone;39166233]I was imagining something way bigger, more dangerous and on threads or at least wheels. I am highly dissapointed. But good luck with your fish tank.[/QUOTE] Looking at your name, that makes sense :v: