Questions from a newbie entering this world

[Kayden]

Happy Saturday,

This is my first post in this community. Please forgive my lack of knowledge and the many questions I have about this hobby.

1. I’ve been doing some research and read that an Innovative Marine 15-gallon tank would be a great choice for a beginner. (I was considering a 13.5-gallon Fluval Evo, but I heard that its included components—like the skimmer—are of poor quality, so I’ve decided against it.) Would you recommend the Innovative Marine tank?

2. What lighting options would you suggest that offer good value for the price? I’d like to start with some easy-to-care-for corals and a couple of clownfish (I know, that’s a very common choice!). I’ve read that a Fluval Nano 4.0 or a Higger light might be good options for a beginner.

3. What protein skimmer should I use? I’ve heard the Bubble-Magus MiniQ is the best, but I’d love to hear your thoughts or if there are better alternatives at a similar price point.

4. Any advice or tips for a newcomer would be greatly appreciated.

Apologies if anything is unclear or poorly phrased; I’m using a Spanish-to-English translator, so I’m not entirely sure if the translation is accurate.

Have a great day!

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

IME the fluval products I have used were replaced very quickly with something of better quality. The IM is much a much better choice than the fluval.

For a 15 gallon tank, I would suggest any light 50-60 watts. Again stay away from that fluval light, there are lots of choices such Nicrew, Jebao, Vivarspectra, Popbloom, AI Prime, and many others.

For this size tank, there is really no need for a skimmer, that is overkill on this size tank IMO. My 15 gallon has no filtration at all, just weekly water changes.

Those are good questions, feel free to ask any others, good luck.

 

[Uncle99]

Happy Saturday,

This is my first post in this community. Please forgive my lack of knowledge and the many questions I have about this hobby.

1. I’ve been doing some research and read that an Innovative Marine 15-gallon tank would be a great choice for a beginner. (I was considering a 13.5-gallon Fluval Evo, but I heard that its included components—like the skimmer—are of poor quality, so I’ve decided against it.) Would you recommend the Innovative Marine tank?

2. What lighting options would you suggest that offer good value for the price? I’d like to start with some easy-to-care-for corals and a couple of clownfish (I know, that’s a very common choice!). I’ve read that a Fluval Nano 4.0 or a Higger light might be good options for a beginner.

3. What protein skimmer should I use? I’ve heard the Bubble-Magus MiniQ is the best, but I’d love to hear your thoughts or if there are better alternatives at a similar price point.

4. Any advice or tips for a newcomer would be greatly appreciated.

Apologies if anything is unclear or poorly phrased; I’m using a Spanish-to-English translator, so I’m not entirely sure if the translation is accurate.

Have a great day!

Welcome to R2R!

Innovative marine makes a good tank and is not a new player. My 80 AIO came as a kit, complete, with return pump and including mesh lid, media caddy.Set up was super easy.

For lights I use AI Prime HD 16. A little more than three “Chinese black box” type but light is so important and the controllability fab.

For the skimmer I use the mini-Q, but need two. Works great for me.

Good luck, ask what you wish

 

[ScottJ]

Welcome! Check out these guide;
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

Lots of good info in there. Also the best advice I can give is to read and research as much as you can, don't trust everything your local fish store tells you (they are in the business to sell fish), and have patience!

 

[Tahoe61]

IME the fluval products I have used were replaced very quickly with something of better quality. The IM is much a much better choice than the fluval.

For a 15 gallon tank, I would suggest any light 50-60 watts. Again stay away from that fluval light, there are lots of choices such Nicrew, Jebao, Vivarspectra, Popbloom, AI Prime, and many others.

For this size tank, there is really no need for a skimmer, that is overkill on this size tank IMO. My 15 gallon has no filtration at all, just weekly water changes.

Those are good questions, feel free to ask any others, good luck.

All of the above^^^^^

And I would upgrade the stock return pump. Hygger has some decent nano wave makers and nano lighting.
I wouldn't go anything less than 65 watts for lighting.

 

[slingfox]

You should look into the Innovative Marine 25 Lagoon. The extra water volume should help with stability and will provide more options for livestock and coral.

 

[bristleworm]

I've recently gotten back into reefing but been in the hobby a long time in one form or another.
Cutting corners will often give bad results and cost you more in the long run.
Start with good solid equipment choices. You will want to upgrade once the bug really bites and spending a lot on subpar equipment will be money wasted.
It's the old adage buy once cry once.

With cheap lighting especially, you will struggle with schedules, crappy aps that don't let you control what you want when you want. You will get algae blooms, diatoms and all kinds of nasties that will sour you on the hobby.

I'm about 8 weeks in on setting up the IM 25 lagoon and things are going pretty well. It's a great tank with a few sump modes, like ditching the filter socks. It has a dedicated UV sterilizer if you want to run one and room for media and skimmer in the chambers.

Everyone says bigger is better, but remember, water changes cost money. Salt is not free. 20% of 25 gals is a lot cheaper than 20% of 90gals.

Next, and you will get the pucker factor when you look at the price. But get some live rock or sand from reputable place even if you have to buy it. I was real reluctant to drop money on Gulf live sand and rock but I'm pretty convinced my tank would not be where it's at in 8 weeks without.
And I got some cool little sponges that are setting up a colony and some little feather worms.

 

[Kayden]

I've recently gotten back into reefing but been in the hobby a long time in one form or another.
Cutting corners will often give bad results and cost you more in the long run.
Start with good solid equipment choices. You will want to upgrade once the bug really bites and spending a lot on subpar equipment will be money wasted.
It's the old adage buy once cry once.

With cheap lighting especially, you will struggle with schedules, crappy aps that don't let you control what you want when you want. You will get algae blooms, diatoms and all kinds of nasties that will sour you on the hobby.

I'm about 8 weeks in on setting up the IM 25 lagoon and things are going pretty well. It's a great tank with a few sump modes, like ditching the filter socks. It has a dedicated UV sterilizer if you want to run one and room for media and skimmer in the chambers.

Everyone says bigger is better, but remember, water changes cost money. Salt is not free. 20% of 25 gals is a lot cheaper than 20% of 90gals.

Next, and you will get the pucker factor when you look at the price. But get some live rock or sand from reputable place even if you have to buy it. I was real reluctant to drop money on Gulf live sand and rock but I'm pretty convinced my tank would not be where it's at in 8 weeks without.
And I got some cool little sponges that are setting up a colony and some little feather worms.

Muchas gracias en responder y disculpa que le responda en español

Tomare en cuenta lo que dice, mi objetivo es un acuario no tan grande porque vivo en un departamento pequeño y como vivo solo es tener algo en que dar mi tiempo

 

[Kayden]

IME the fluval products I have used were replaced very quickly with something of better quality. The IM is much a much better choice than the fluval.

For a 15 gallon tank, I would suggest any light 50-60 watts. Again stay away from that fluval light, there are lots of choices such Nicrew, Jebao, Vivarspectra, Popbloom, AI Prime, and many others.

For this size tank, there is really no need for a skimmer, that is overkill on this size tank IMO. My 15 gallon has no filtration at all, just weekly water changes.

Those are good questions, feel free to ask any others, good luck.

Muchas gracias en responder y disculpa que le responda en español

https://aquacave.com/im-fusion-15-aio-cube-aquarium-complete-starter-kit.html

acabo de encontrar este kit en esta pagina web (investigue y parece que es mi confiable)

Usted lo recomendaria para empezar o seria mejor comprar las piezas por separado

 

[Kayden]

Welcome to R2R!

Innovative marine makes a good tank and is not a new player. My 80 AIO came as a kit, complete, with return pump and including mesh lid, media caddy.Set up was super easy.

For lights I use AI Prime HD 16. A little more than three “Chinese black box” type but light is so important and the controllability fab.

For the skimmer I use the mini-Q, but need two. Works great for me.

Good luck, ask what you wish

Muchas gracias en responder y disculpa que le responda en español

Usted recomendaria este kit? https://aquacave.com/im-fusion-15-aio-cube-aquarium-complete-starter-kit.html

 

[Kayden]

Welcome! Check out these guide;
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

Lots of good info in there. Also the best advice I can give is to read and research as much as you can, don't trust everything your local fish store tells you (they are in the business to sell fish), and have patience!

Muchas gracias en responder y disculpa que le responda en español

Muchas gracias por el link lo leeré detalladamente y haciendole otra pregunta este kit valdra la pena?

https://aquacave.com/im-fusion-15-aio-cube-aquarium-complete-starter-kit.html

 

[Kayden]

All of the above^^^^^

And I would upgrade the stock return pump. Hygger has some decent nano wave makers and nano lighting.
I wouldn't go anything less than 65 watts for lighting.

uchas gracias en responder y disculpa que le responda en español

la bomba de retorno puede venir defectuosa o son por los galones por hora lo tiene muy bajos?

 

[Kayden]

You should look into the Innovative Marine 25 Lagoon. The extra water volume should help with stability and will provide more options for livestock and coral.

uchas gracias en responder y disculpa que le responda en español

Ojala pudiera pero vivo en departamento pequeño y también en el contrato de arredamiento tengo limites de galones en un acuario

 

[NCsalt]

My first saltwater tank was a 20 tall. I think you would greatly benefit from a little more volume. The 25 Lagoon is a tempting option, but so is a 40 breeder. I would need to know more about your space limitations. Could the 15 be great?, for sure, but it can be much harder and there are much less livestock options. In a smaller tank definitely go for mostly or at least half live rock.

 

[ScottJ]

Muchas gracias en responder y disculpa que le responda en español

Muchas gracias por el link lo leeré detalladamente y haciendole otra pregunta este kit valdra la pena?

https://aquacave.com/im-fusion-15-aio-cube-aquarium-complete-starter-kit.html

I'm sure it's worth the price they are charging. If you want to have a 'plug and play' setup. it looks pretty good. You don't need the chemicals, and I think a skimmer on that size tank is overkill (but it wont hurt anything), but other than that, it seems to have most of everything you need to start out. Maybe add a small power head and I think heater controllers are a must, but that's it. I don't know anything about that light, but it probably is ok. I love the fact it comes with a screen top. I use an IM screen top on a tank and really like it.

If you are the type of person who likes to tinker with their tank and mess with stuff, I would not suggest a kit because you will probably replace most of the equipment inside of a year

 

[X-37B]

If you can maintain a 15g you can maintain any sized system.
My im15 runs a Tunze 6040 powerhead for flow. On 30 seconds off 30 seconds.
Tunze ato for sg stability.
Radion xr15 blue, ab+ @ 100%.
I dose esv 2 part and use a small amount of floss in the overflow but usually run with no floss.

 

[Uncle99]

Muchas gracias en responder y disculpa que le responda en español

Muchas gracias por el link lo leeré detalladamente y haciendole otra pregunta este kit valdra la pena?

https://aquacave.com/im-fusion-15-aio-cube-aquarium-complete-starter-kit.htm

Parece un buen precio para un IM, no son baratos. Es un kit completo. Es difícil juzgar el precio ya que estoy en Canadá. Solo el skimmer, el calentador y la arena cuestan $250.

 

[Kayden]

My first saltwater tank was a 20 tall. I think you would greatly benefit from a little more volume. The 25 Lagoon is a tempting option, but so is a 40 breeder. I would need to know more about your space limitations. Could the 15 be great?, for sure, but it can be much harder and there are much less livestock options. In a smaller tank definitely go for mostly or at least half live rock.

Quisiera, pero también donde vivo no permiten tener acuarios tan grandes

 

[bristleworm]

And get a good ATO right off the bat and set it up day one.

 

[mmorrison55]

Unless you are very limited on size and the 15 is way cheaper, I’d try and get the IM 25 lagoon as it’s still a small footprint, but allows you to have more livestock and a little more time to react if your tank needs some correction (smaller the tank the less time you have to react if something goes wrong.) others may disagree, but I found it easier to maintain my 200 gallon system vs my 25 gallon.