I had a marine nano as a first ever tank 2 years ago. Had worst time with it, crabs, aptasia, bristleworms. Really put me off fishkeeping, reading stories of skin burying insects freaked me out. Sold the tank and bought Juwel Rio 180, false plants, platies, couple of frogs, bristlenose catfish and love it. Never had any problems and not scared to put hand in water of this one, got another tank with tetra, love fishkeeping now and want to try marine again. LFS suggested this:
Use spare Juwel Lido 120 i have, convert to marine
Take out sponge filters and replace with live rock rubble, hammered into tiny pieces that can be checked thoroughy for hitchhikers. Put into pair of tights to prevent creatures too small to see from entering tank, then place into juwel filter.
Put powerhead pump onto left side of tank
change light to marine day and blue (which will have to come on together as only one switch)
use ocean rock (safe from critters) as main display
use fake coral (found excellent quality) for display purposes
get clean up crew when water registers correctly
then get some shrimp (love blood shrimp) and leave tank in this state fr couple of months to give ocean rock chance to become live.
Slowly add one hardy fish after 3-4 months
month later (if water tests ok) add the two clownfish i want
Only 3 or 4 fish and some shrimp. I want easy to maintain, healthy for the fish (important) and a fun tank for a new marine fishkeeper.
Can anyone tell me if this is a suitable environment to raise fish in, I would rather not start this project if putting them at risk. I dont want to add protein skimmer, sump, corals, dont want the coloured patches that appear on the glass/filter housing. Could i do this, as slow as needed, without live rock at all?
Thanks for any advice in advance
Use spare Juwel Lido 120 i have, convert to marine
Take out sponge filters and replace with live rock rubble, hammered into tiny pieces that can be checked thoroughy for hitchhikers. Put into pair of tights to prevent creatures too small to see from entering tank, then place into juwel filter.
Put powerhead pump onto left side of tank
change light to marine day and blue (which will have to come on together as only one switch)
use ocean rock (safe from critters) as main display
use fake coral (found excellent quality) for display purposes
get clean up crew when water registers correctly
then get some shrimp (love blood shrimp) and leave tank in this state fr couple of months to give ocean rock chance to become live.
Slowly add one hardy fish after 3-4 months
month later (if water tests ok) add the two clownfish i want
Only 3 or 4 fish and some shrimp. I want easy to maintain, healthy for the fish (important) and a fun tank for a new marine fishkeeper.
Can anyone tell me if this is a suitable environment to raise fish in, I would rather not start this project if putting them at risk. I dont want to add protein skimmer, sump, corals, dont want the coloured patches that appear on the glass/filter housing. Could i do this, as slow as needed, without live rock at all?
Thanks for any advice in advance