I’m going to start a 46 gallon fish only marine aquarium. I’ve never done a freshwater before, and yes i know it’s tough to jump straight to saltwater but i’m still going to do it.
I’m going to buy the following:
Proper PH
Master liquid test kit saltwater
sand
aquaball power head172gph
amquel+ liquid
penguin biowheel power filter 200
hydrometer w/ liquid crystal thermometer
water conditioner
heater
salt
Does that seem to be everything I will need? I was thinking about getting a protein skimmer, but they’re too pricey right now. will a biowheel work for me? Its only 46 gal so im not gonna have too many fish so is a canister necessary?
I know it depends on the fish I buy, but with my tank, i’m probably looking at about 5 fish in there right? If that’s the case, is it really worth it? My worry is that i”m gonna put all this time/money and have a tank that looks empty and it’s not gonna be worth it.
Also, how do the plants work. I don’t want to get live rock or any of that. It’s just too much, but i do want my tank to look nice. can i put live plants in there that just look nice and are easily maintained, or do i have to put fake ones??
and about the substrate, does it matter what i use? i want to use sand is that alright, and if it is, does it matter what type, like does it have to be live sand or anything?
I want to get as colorful fish as possible, and as big as possible, but that’s not really gonna happen cuz the i want tangs and stuff and they need 80+ gallons for the most part. I’m probably gonna get clownfish and other small fish.
I give my fishes sea salt and they seem to like betta than the kosha one.
I think you’re on the right track. I’ve had several saltwater aquaria in my lifetime and I’ve never used or needed a protein skimmer for any of them. Good habits of changing 25% of the water per month will remove the need for one.
As for sand…use crushed coral instead of sand. Sand is too dense. You want some water flow through the gravel into an undergravel filter with an air pump. The gravel is where most of your bacterial action will take place and it will need some water flow/oxygenation.
“Instant Ocean” salts are balanced right for seawater and work best.
this is not tough, this is suicide. and highly expensive suicide at that. if you have never kept an aquarium before, and youre asking here how to do it, then you are NOT ready. the only people id reccomend starting like that are those that have immense drive to learn and do extensive research first. you have got to start simple.
also, you havnt mentioned a word about cycling, and if you have no idea what im talking about when i say cycling, then you are even less prepared. start small. it will save lives..