Help me spend my money!

[Norboo]

I am interested in setting up a 36 gallon Bow-tank in my bedroom.
Noise level must be low.

I want to stock it with live rocks and live sand.
Few clown fish
Blue tang
Starfish
Hermit crabs
Snails
Shrimp or two if I can
Few Anemones
…and whatever else I can fit in to make it more colorful and interesting.
(suggestions welcome)

My question is, what type of:
1. Lighting w/nightlight/moon light that runs silent
2. Filtering system that runs silent (hang on refugium? Bio filter? power filter? canister?)
3. Fan and pumps that runs silent
and anything else I haven't thought of?

How would you outfit this tank?

Any suggestion are welcome.

Thank you.

[PatMayo]

I think the tank is too small for a tang.

The Aquaclear type filters are very quiet. Probably more so than any canister type of filter. If you have a protiem skimmer on the tank that is probably going to be the loudest noise source. Although with the protien skimmer you probably won't need a suplemental air source.

Are you going to have live rock?
Sump?

If you keep the bio load low you success rate will go up.

I hope this helps a little.

Regards,

Pat

[Norboo]

Live rock, yes
Sump? I wasn't planning on it...
How are the Magnum 350 PRO system, Emperor 400 and/or Peguin 350? Would these work for a 36 gallon tank? Are they silent?

[Paintbug]

i have never herd of a silent aquarium. there is going to be some noise. even with a freshwater setup. it may not be much but there is going to be some noise. with that said, a sump will work better but that will mean more noise. a small protein skimmer on the back will be a good idea as well. but again noise. if you are not wanting to use a sump, i would say an Emperor 400, or the Peguin 350 (i used one for several years on my FW with NO problems) will work but dont run the bio-wheels. i would recommend about 50lbs of live rock, and some good flow in the tank. that should take care of the filtration. i also wouldnt recommend the tang, or anenome. the tang even if bought tiny (1-2 inches) will out grow a 36g tank quick. the anenomes are not for beginers, and require lots of light and an established tank to survive. look into some Dwarf Angels. they have lots of color, stay small, they are sometimes know to nip at corals however. i have a Coral Beauty myself, he doesnt really bother any. once in awhile i will see him nip some of my LPS but rarely.

[Norboo]

I know I cannot have a silent tank and filter. I like the sound of water and I can live with slight humming. I am trying to minimize the noise level much as possible.

[PatMayo]

Depending on the density of the live rock, I would think that 50 pounds of live rock is too much. There won't be much room for the fish.

To get minimum noise I would go with one of the HOB type filter, the largest that will fit, without any Bio Wheels. The AquaClear is very good in that you can put carbon in it and it does not come wiht a bio wheel so you are not paying for something you won't use. I guess I like the AquaClear because I use it on my 46 and it's very quiet with a minimum of fuss.

Regards,

Pat

[chip721]

Send me the money. I'll buy something nice and send you pictures

[psy_chick]

i have a 55 g freshwater with an eheim classic 2215 and i am happy with the lack of noise put out by this machine. the ario air bubbler is noisier than the eheim

[Billy1234]

If you can't make a descision on what to buy... I'd happily take that money off your hands- At no cost to you!

[josetexe]

why bio wheels are not good for the aquarium?????

[joe90usa]

I bought a used Magnum 350 cannister with a Pro 60 Biowheel, and that has been fine for a 55 gallon FOWLR tank. I've been told here that the Biowheel is fine for my use now, but that it should not be used when I move to full reef. I don't recall the reason why now.

Careful mixing your clown fish, and I will also suggest that a tang might not be the best choice in a tank of that size.

[PatMayo]

Bio wheels produce Nitrate which in a reef system is not good.

Pat