hey please help this newbie!!!!!

[vuanhquoc]

i'll get home a 30 gallon saltwater tank 2morrow the tank is complete set up. but the problem is the tank doesn't have a wet/dry filter. i heard my friends saidi need a wet/dry for it. can't i just use a normal filter? is it gona kil myfish???? please let me know asap thanks alot

[JamesJR]

No you don't need a wet/dry filter. Look at most of the tanks of the months. I bet you not a single one has a wet/dry. They can be usefull for fish only type aquariums but for reefs they are generally not desirable. If the tank was set up and looks good to you than just run it the way the original owner had it set up.

[vuanhquoc]

ok thanks james. but do i need skimmer or anything?

[JamesJR]

A skimmer is a very useful piece of equipment. had aquariums with and without them but would definately use one. what did the aquarium come with?

[JamesJR]

Pics would be nice

[vuanhquoc]

i can't get a pic yet. but its come with 2 filters and live sand live rock.. i'll get picture asap when i get it

[JamesJR]

Well, did the original owner have success with his tank? because if he did you might set it up the way he had it and then work from there.

[SuperNerd]

Forget the wet/dry...just get another tank and use it as a sump or buy a premade fuge.

You can always put it below the main tank, divide it in three halves and use it for 1) extra LR filtration, 2) macroalgae growth with mud or sand and some LR rubble, and 3) the return pump.

I agree with JamesJR...you don't technically NEED a skimmer unless you really want to suck out as much nutrients as possible for certain extremely colorful SPS dominated tanks. I have a mixed tank with anemones, sps, lps, and softies and took my skimmer out a long time ago. All I use for filtration is LR with live sponges and macroalgae with extra sand in the fuge. I have 0 phosphates, 0 silicates, 0 nitrates, and the ammonia is so low it isn't even detectable...so I guess it's 0 too :lmao:

Go for what you think will best suit your tank but again it depends on what you want to keep. :)

[vuanhquoc]

well i'll what is the best fish for beginner? cuz i dont wanna kill all the expensive fish. i'll take pic when im finish with with set up

[vuanhquoc]

here is some pics.. i just pull the old water in but how come its look sooooo blury... it has one filter running. ok check it out .
<img src="http://ib.forum77.com/uploads/vuongcali/post-5-1159327468.jpg"

also what is this?

<img src="http://ib.forum77.com/uploads/vuongcali/post-5-1159327544.jpg"


please let me know asap .. do i miss anything?

[saltycreefer]

Thats a protein skimmer dude.

[vuanhquoc]

how do i get that skimmer work?

[SuperNerd]

Yeah it's a little skimmer. It will need a pump to work.

[vuanhquoc]

i do have a pump.. do i need to put any filter cartrid in the skimmmer?

[SuperNerd]

I don't think so...skimmers work by creating bubbles with the pump. By the way before you add any livestock check all your parameters.

[vuanhquoc]

i just connect the pump into the skimmer but the skimmmer is leak. look like the top part of the skimmer dont stick verygood to body part. the black thingy . what should ido.. the skimmer looks very new. but what's wrong?

<img src="http://ib.forum77.com/uploads/vuongcali/post-5-1159395243.jpg"

[SuperNerd]

No idea. Free bump for you. :D
You should really post this in the equipment section. You'll probably get more responses from "technical wizards" there than in a forum dedicated to reef fishes.