New to hobby

Hi, I am new to this responsibility and have a number of questions.  I just purchased a used 15 gallon setup that has been functioning for several years according to the guy I bought it from.  He had to get rid of it and let it go cheap.  I have ordered some test kits and purchased a refractometer for the salinity.  It looks good.  The tank has about 10 pounds LR and 2 inch LS.  Coraline algae covers the back and rock.  Has 4 hermit crabs and 10 astria/? snails.  1 Purple PseudoChromis and 1 Brittle Star.  It also has some purple mushrooms and 2 small zooanthids.  I have read a lot and there are many opinions out there that I need to actually talk with the been there done that group! 

1. It has a biowheel.  Should that go?  If so what should I get?

2. 1 PC 35w 7100k White and 12000k Blue.  Is that sufficient?  I want corals in it.

3.  1 Maxijet 600.  Is that enough for water turbulence or do I need more?

4.  Is that enough rock and sand?

5.  How do I wean it off the biowheel if a skimmer is required?

I want more coral so any suggestions/knowledge of where to obtain frags?

I have money so funds are not the issue.  I want to do this right and minimize the killing of organisms due to my ignorance.  Thanks for you help!

WELCOME to the WMAS.

I'll take a stab at answering your questions. But one thing you should note; there is not a single right way to maintain a reef aquarium. Often times, what works for some, does not work for all and visa versa.

1. The bio-wheel in designed to be an aerobic environment and promote the growth of aerobic bacteria. These do a fine job with a portion of the nitrogen cycle, but they cannot alone complete it. That being said, I run a small bio-wheel filter on my 20 gallon nano and I think it makes a convenient place to add filter floss and carbon. I say leave it.

2. I am a big fan of light. I run 2 x 96 w PC over my 20 gallon. I recommend this also for your tank.

3. Probably. Maybe. ??? I would probably add another to the opposite side of the tank either on the top or bottom - opposite of the other.

4. I suggest adding at least another inch of LS (live sand) and/or another 5 lbs or LR (live rock)

5. Add a skimmer and leave the bio-wheel. You may eventually remove the actual wheel, but leave the filter for floss and carbon.

I have many frags that would be perfect for a little system. Let me know.

Welcome Gahlerfr!

1. It has a biowheel.  Should that go?  If so what should I get?

No.  If you find that you have high nitrates then you should re-ask this question.

2. 1 PC 35w 7100k White and 12000k Blue.  Is that sufficient?  I want corals in it.

Yes it's sufficient for most corals.  You'll likely have a hard time with sps though.

1 Maxijet 600.  Is that enough for water turbulence or do I need more?

It might be enough, but I'd probably add another one.  Set one near the bottom and point it straight up.  Place the other one mid level and point it from back to front (or side to side).

4.  Is that enough rock and sand?

See the answer to question 1 regarding nitrates.

5.  How do I wean it off the biowheel if a skimmer is required?

You can have a biowheel and skimmer (or are saying there isn't enough room at the back of the tank for both?).  If you do remove the biowheel... if you can go slow do it slow.  If there's two wheels, remove them one at a time with a week between.  If it's just one, then get everything else in order (maybe more sand/rock/macro/ect) and then yank it.  But don't do anything yet.

Yeah, I thought money wasn't going to be an issue...now I just have 5 more Freshwater tanks! If only someone would give me their SW tank (flinches eyes while looking around with the other)

If I were you, here's what I would do:

See as many other tanks as you can. Get to know what lighting you like,
how the filtration works, etc.

If your system is up and running with no major problems, I wouldn't make
any major changes at this point. Add a few frags and take some time to
see if this hobby is for you. If in a few months you're liking it more than
ever, get a bigger tank and get all the equipment you've been learning
about. Otherwise, you're likely to spend money upgrading lighting and
filtration, and then get a bigger tank in less than 6 months anyway. This
patient approach will probably save money in the long run, and is a little
more prudent than rushing out and getting a bigger tank now.

IMO this hobby is incredibly addictive, and if money isn't a major issue,
you'll probably be buying a bigger tank within a month or two, but I guess
we'll wait and see .

That's just what seems logical to me, although I wouldn't consider
upgrading your current system a mistake.

Brady

Welcome Gahlenfr! it seems like you are off to a good start. As you can see the experts have already started replying and I'm sure there is more to come. I'll lurk, listen, and learn along with you.  

My advice is to come to the Christmas meeting and become a WMAS member so that you will be ready for the frag fest in January.

On the left side of the screen click in "About Us" then click on the link for "Pay Membership Dues" and follow the instructions.

Here are some pics of the setup I initially posted about.

In my first post I neglected to mention Nemo  I was reprimanded for that and here it is.  I know these are no big deal to the rest of you but after 6 days the water has really cleared and the tank cleaners are doing their job.  The original owner did not have a heater and said that the lights were sufficient to heat the tank the "4" hours a day they were on.  Well now I have a heater and the lights are on 12 hours a day. I did not know that the mushrooms even existed nor the red zoo....

Gahlenfr wrote: In my first post I neglected to mention Nemo  I was reprimanded for that and here it is.  I know these are no big deal to the rest of you ....

They are GREAT fish. Pretty, inexpensive and hardy. Most people have atleast one