hello everyone! this is my first post here. i used to have a FW tank donkey years ago, but it was only recently that i was inspired to make the switch to SW. i've been doing a bit of reading on marine aquarium at the library and visiting various LFSs (LCK, clementi, west coast) for the past 3 weeks, but I do have a couple of questions especially for the more experienced nano-reefers!
btw, i've decided that my tank size would be 1.5ft x 1ft x 1ft due to space constraints (and budget haha). i think as of these moment, i plan to get just the basics; filter, light, live rocks and live sand. after 3-4 weeks of the cycling period, i'll gradually add a couple of fishes and corals (the small and hardy types) over the next few months.
1. filter - in your opinion, what type of filter is the most efficient for my tank? i'm looking for a filter which can do all 3 kinds of filtration. i'm undecided between a HOB filter (i read that HOB has water circulation issues) and a canister filter (pricey and too big for my tank?) (i actually found this small boyu external filter canister sold at $24 but i wonder how effective it is). how about those overhead filters? and how do i ensure that the water in my tank has a good flow for effective filtration?
2. skimmer - do you think it is a neccessity for a tank of my size to have a skimmer? i did read that it would be better for my tank to have weekly water changes. but i would rather buy a skimmer if it means less frequent water changes. anyway, on my LFSs visits, i found a couple of cheap protein skimmers. (e.g classica protein skimmer xl @ $18, boyu wg308 protein skimmer @ $22, rio nano skimmer @ $39) any idea how effective are they?
3. cleaning of equipments - is it okay to wash equipments with normal tap water? if not, what do i need to do if i accidentally did it?
3. chemical test kit - does anyone has any idea on where can i find an all-in-one test kit? and how much does it cost?
any fellow reefers staying in the bukit panjang area? it would be great to meet up and share opinions!
