newbie - want to start mini marine tank - Page 2

JeffL · 09-09-2011, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zadrian

I intend to keep probably max 5 of guppy size fish.....
If with rocks and corals would reduce to 1 pair but would be nice to have slugs, shrimps if tank or budget allows....after of if I can find the main expensive stuff like mini/nano chiller...

Any shops to recommend for low-end marine hardware ?

If you are using IQ3 size tank, 5 fishes IMO is already too high bioload.

I only have two small percula in my IQ5. My advise, keep it simple and put in more softies and simple LPS. Enough to keep you happy and yet maintain well in small tanks. Again.... change water with min. weekly

u want to get Iceprobe? can try Reefdepot.

**KaLiB** · 10-09-2011, 03:19 PM

Majority of the marine fishes do not stay guppy sized which is why I don't recommend keeping any fish in such a small tank. Even the smaller ones can attain a size that should be kept in a minimum 1ft tank.

For such a small tank size, I would suggest keeping only shrimps instead. Corals are fine too. I would advise forgoing the sea slugs. They have very specialized diets and each specie only eat a particular kind of food and will not adapt to other foods. They are difficult to keep due to this requirement.

A chiller may not be necessary. For example, if your tank is kept in an air-conditioned room, the cool air can be sufficient to keep the tank cool. For a tropical marine tank, you can afford a range of 26-28deg. If only fishes are kept, you can afford a wider range of 26-31deg. I would suggest getting a digital thermometer and monitor the temperature first.

xersion · 12-09-2011, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicktc

This is my Pico tank setup started since mid July 2011

Tank diamension - 12" x 7.5" x 8" (water level stop at 7") approx 10 ltr
Filter : GEX slim (M) HOF
Lighting : Dymax Robo LED white lamp.
Substrate : Coral sand about 1"
Live stock : 3 x small Live Rock with some algae & 1 pair Harlequin Shrimps.
Water parameter : do not have test kit at the moment, using NSW (new sea water)

Temp is in the range of 28-27 degree C. I do not use a fan, but the OHF is quite strong and generate quite a bit of water movement especially at the surface.

Currently, the pair of shrimps get to eat a whole chocolate chip star, once every 2 weeks.

very nice and neat.. u add the whole starfish in and just let it slowly consume without removing?

dun the rotting affect the water parameter?

nicktc · 13-09-2011, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xersion

very nice and neat.. u add the whole starfish in and just let it slowly consume without removing?

dun the rotting affect the water parameter?

Apologies to TS for going off topic.

I have tried sand shifter star previously, the are softer than chocolate chip but they will die a and be abandon by the shrimps.

As for chocolate chip, the shrimps will finished the entire star, the water seems OK. I have yet to change my water since day one.

Only top up with aged water daily.

So far my regime is 1 chococlate once every 2 weeks for the pair to share.

zadrian · 13-09-2011, 02:07 PM

No prob....

BTW, is it easy to get the Harlequin Shrimp & choc chip starfish in SG ?
Any LFS to look out for ?

Would I need to set up another tank for the choc chip starfish in case it runs out ?

Would I need a chiller if I get the IQ5 and my office water temp is ard 24.4 (Day) to 23 (at night) degrees (from my FW guppy tank).

The max it would rise is 27 degrees (over weekends when A/C is off).

nicktc · 13-09-2011, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zadrian

No prob....

BTW, is it easy to get the Harlequin Shrimp & choc chip starfish in SG ?
Any LFS to look out for ?

Would I need to set up another tank for the choc chip starfish in case it runs out ?

Would I need a chiller if I get the IQ5 and my office water temp is ard 24.4 (Day) to 23 (at night) degrees (from my FW guppy tank).

The max it would rise is 27 degrees (over weekends when A/C is off).

I got my Harlequin shrimps at Pasir Ris farm. Sometimes they come in pair and the female is already 'ripe'

Chocolate chip are quite common too. Most LFS sell them for $5 but I got mine a $3 from the marine farm at Seletar Farmway.

If you have another tank or a sump, you can keep a constant supply of starfish. Else for me, I will go to Seletar once every two week.

zadrian · 13-09-2011, 03:43 PM

which farm in seletar ? I thought only got 1 LFS....can share the name ?

**KaLiB** · 13-09-2011, 04:55 PM

Based on the temperature of your guppy tank, you should not need a chiller for the tank. However, I would advise monitoring for at least a week to be certain of the temperature range for the marine tank.

Harlequin shrimps would certainly do fine in such a small tank. Just don't forget to remove the starfish from the tank if it were to die before the shrimps finish eating it.

nicktc · 13-09-2011, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zadrian

which farm in seletar ? I thought only got 1 LFS....can share the name ?

Its towards the end of the road, near to but before, Straits Aquarium.
There is a little board along the road, pointing to the marine farm.

JeffL · 14-09-2011, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicktc

Its towards the end of the road, near to but before, Straits Aquarium.
There is a little board along the road, pointing to the marine farm.

Is that T95? I suggest not driving your car up the hill. Road is too bumpy for normal saloon.

I went T95 once but maybe too late, all lights were off. Little scary actually haha.

T95 regulars, what else is good there?

10-09-2011, 03:19 PM	#12
KaLiB Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 3,635	Majority of the marine fishes do not stay guppy sized which is why I don't recommend keeping any fish in such a small tank. Even the smaller ones can attain a size that should be kept in a minimum 1ft tank. For such a small tank size, I would suggest keeping only shrimps instead. Corals are fine too. I would advise forgoing the sea slugs. They have very specialized diets and each specie only eat a particular kind of food and will not adapt to other foods. They are difficult to keep due to this requirement. A chiller may not be necessary. For example, if your tank is kept in an air-conditioned room, the cool air can be sufficient to keep the tank cool. For a tropical marine tank, you can afford a range of 26-28deg. If only fishes are kept, you can afford a wider range of 26-31deg. I would suggest getting a digital thermometer and monitor the temperature first. __________________ A fishtank is just like your computer. When your tank crash(OS crash), its time to cleanup(reformat hard drive) and setup(install OS) again and add new livestock(re-install software).

13-09-2011, 04:55 PM	#18
KaLiB Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 3,635	Based on the temperature of your guppy tank, you should not need a chiller for the tank. However, I would advise monitoring for at least a week to be certain of the temperature range for the marine tank. Harlequin shrimps would certainly do fine in such a small tank. Just don't forget to remove the starfish from the tank if it were to die before the shrimps finish eating it. __________________ A fishtank is just like your computer. When your tank crash(OS crash), its time to cleanup(reformat hard drive) and setup(install OS) again and add new livestock(re-install software).

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13-09-2011, 02:07 PM	#15
zadrian Dragon Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,085	No prob.... BTW, is it easy to get the Harlequin Shrimp & choc chip starfish in SG ? Any LFS to look out for ? Would I need to set up another tank for the choc chip starfish in case it runs out ? Would I need a chiller if I get the IQ5 and my office water temp is ard 24.4 (Day) to 23 (at night) degrees (from my FW guppy tank). The max it would rise is 27 degrees (over weekends when A/C is off).

13-09-2011, 03:43 PM	#17
zadrian Dragon Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,085	which farm in seletar ? I thought only got 1 LFS....can share the name ?

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