I just got my filter flowing and nitrogen cycle started on a 29 gallon aquarium, based on this video series. I plan on upgrading it to a reef tank in a year or so, once the aquarium gets "aged". Tanks for the series.
Thanks Thomas. Watching alot of your videos over the last 2 months. Now i have a marineland 75 gallon tank with a fluval fx6 canister filter i have set up for saltwater and have 2 clownfish. Your videos have helped with the care and gave me the confidence to go ahead and try the saltwater life. Thanks again
BARTMAN88 I’d like to know how it is to clean this filter. I have hang on the back aquaclear. I heard these are tough maintenance. Seems like a lot for a little tank.
@@janetrothstein8618 not bad at all. When i do my water change i keep a 5gal bucket of the old water. Then close the valves on the filter, disconnect the hoses. Then take the pads and just wash them in the old water. Put back together and connect everything. Stick it back under the tank and plug back in. They are simple.
Can I set up a protein skimmer? I am new to this and setting up a 10 gallon but my hubby just bought me a 40 for xmas. I think maybe they go in a sump..lol Be kind I am a newbie and all my 10 has is a heater and a hob and powerhead. I have heard protein skimmers keep much cleaner and wont have to change water weekely. I really prefer for it not to show so I thought about returning for a aio since it has a place to hide the skimmer. What do you think, before I get past the return window. I like it to look nice and tidy
+Big Al's would you recommend the activated carbon it comes with over something like Seachem Purigen? I read Purigen does similar as carbon but requires less and last longer.
I had just bought a ten gallon tank (freshwater) and I was looking around for some heaters for my betta tank and ten gallon. I was wondering what you think the best heater is for them. The betta tank is 3.5 gallons
Not including the tank and stand (because we cannot sell them online), everything cost about $300, but fluctuates slightly based on your own setup. You can find everything we used here-- a VERY affordable way to dive into saltwater: www.bigalspets.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=Affordable+saltwater+kit&Image+-+a+affordable+saltwater+beginner+kit&Saltwater+Success+Without+the+Stress+-+Click+for+Details!&.07.26_Setup+Saltwater+Aquarium&_bta_tid=3.AIk0.CkOVzg.E90q.AjZZ-Q..Ay-6Jg.b..l.B5qc.n...EKWDXw&_bta_c=41snei9ucwy34aryrzzuqgzwea9ud
I'm trying to learn things so that I could be preapered. I want to start with freshwater tank but kind of confused with the size of tank that im going to purchased. does the materials of tank matters to the condition of fish?
hi i have about 5 galon aquarium my clownfish looks like got whitespots please tell me how to avoid them and my three stripe damsel fish ate my blue tang eye do you have any solution to my problem?
I have a trigon corner tank 190 litre , I have the original pump,filter and heater .I don't want to add any external filters or skimmers. does anyone have some advice on what setup I should use with this tank or types of fish?
Hi, I have let my aquarium set for 3 weeks and did a test with the test strips and noticed the nitrate levels to be pretty high. How do I lower them so it will be safe when i get my fishes?
Second ( great videos, guys! ) Can I email you guys personally for tips? I went to all your stores across Canada and everything was amazing, would really love to contact someone for tips
Glad you enjoy the vids! You can reach out to us for tips a TON of different ways. Firstly, are you Canadian or were you visiting from the US? Let us know so we can provide you with the appropriate info!
Okay, Canuck-- here's how you can contact us! Reach out to us anytime in the comments of our videos, and we'll get back to you with help. You can also reach out to us on Facebook (facebook.com/BigAlsCanada), Twitter (twitter.com/BigAlsAquarium), or by email at customerservice@bigalsonline.com! If you live near a store, never hesitate to pop in to ask for advice and tips!
I just have a 20 gallon saltwater tank now it's on the cycling process so i'll waited for 2-3 weeks for a fish but I live in Indonesia in the city of Bogor here is a tropical place so it rains a lot the temperature is quite hot and humid I put on the thermometer in the aquarium and the water temperature in is 28 degrees celsius or 82 degrees ferenheit and isn't that reef aquarium supposed to be 23 degrees celsius or 82 degrees ferenheit but my fish store that i used to buy fish is located in Jakarta and is more hotter there than Bogor and the fish do just fine and the guys from the fish store said that is okay but I'm still worried so I want to ask is the temperature in my aquarium is okay for saltwater fish?because my previous experience is freshwater aquarium and it's a success and I also want to be success at saltwater aquarium hobby
Ideally, the temp would be between 78-82 for fish, and a little lower around 76-80 for corals. However, that isn't to say that corals or fish wouldn't adapt to a slightly higher temp in captivity. Just play it safe! If the corals and fish are doing well at the store in your area (long term) than they should be well adapted to those parameters and you're best bet for success is to match those parameters at home.
You can use the same filter as long as it has enough gallons and the filter cartridge should be changed monthly so it depends on filter cartridge. And did you mean saltwater? Bc freshwater isn't ocean
I would not recommend sea water....MANY impurities and you don't know what sorts of organisms or pathogens are in it. I also don't think the bacteria is the same? I could be wrong but most of what you add to a salt water tank will already have bio filters to assist the cycle (live sand, live rick etc)
Who ever reads this never ever use a Canister Style Filter on a Saltwater Tank, or otherwise you will need to clean it every day or your Tank will crash
As I live in Gro Mexico on the coast i can do saltwater for free with real ocean water and rocks already with algae. No waiting will be needed to cycle the aquarium. I have eaten fish that cost hundreds of dollars in the us.
:( disappointed big al's no canister filters, the collect way too much nitrates, skimmer is best or hang on the back filter, main biological filtration is the rock not filter
I'm afraid you've been lied too. There is no evidence that suggests a canister filter will produce nitrates any differently than even a sump. If you do not clean it, yes, it will produce nitrates. But if you don't clean a sump, the same will occur. It really comes down to regular maintenance.
+Marcos S Just because YOU can't do it doesn't mean that others are not capable. How is a properly setup cannister filter any different from a media reactor? Pump location? Key word there is "properly". Many people successfully accomplish this everyday :/ Having said that I'd much rather suggest an eheim classic (or any 1way flow canister) over the marineland canister (or any 2way flow, both hoses on top). Basically a green media reactor. Saltwater is not as difficult as many hobbyist suggest. Could the guy in the video have chosen better equipment? For sure, but that doesn't meant it won't sustain a saltwater aquarium if proper maintenance is performed. Water changes and weekly filter maintenance can go a very very long way and on a
Ryan, I am uncertain of why your panties are in such a tight wad. I fully understand how to run a tank, etc. That you do not need to explain. I am only saying that if someone, a new person to the hobby, watches this video, they will be misguided. You and I both know that this can and does work, however, as you mentioned a number of items, not mentioned in the video, need to be done. That is my only point. Rewatch the video or show it to a new person and they will have issues.
Thomas, I do not doubt that. I run my systems very similarly. The point is the video is incredibly basic and misleading. You are clearly an experienced hobbyist that can fill in the blanks of the video. That is my only point.
At no point did this lose my attention. Very informative, thorough and helpful.
I would totaly love a reef setup series !!
I loved this series. We need a reef setup series.
I completely agree
I just got my filter flowing and nitrogen cycle started on a 29 gallon aquarium, based on this video series. I plan on upgrading it to a reef tank in a year or so, once the aquarium gets "aged". Tanks for the series.
This is extremely informative. Thank you
No problem-- glad you found it helpful!
Thanks Thomas. Watching alot of your videos over the last 2 months. Now i have a marineland 75 gallon tank with a fluval fx6 canister filter i have set up for saltwater and have 2 clownfish. Your videos have helped with the care and gave me the confidence to go ahead and try the saltwater life. Thanks again
BARTMAN88 I’d like to know how it is to clean this filter. I have hang on the back aquaclear. I heard these are tough maintenance. Seems like a lot for a little tank.
@@janetrothstein8618 not bad at all. When i do my water change i keep a 5gal bucket of the old water. Then close the valves on the filter, disconnect the hoses. Then take the pads and just wash them in the old water. Put back together and connect everything. Stick it back under the tank and plug back in. They are simple.
Out of topic but where's the fireplace decor from? 😂
Omg a pet store that understands the nitrogen cycle!!!
Tae Tae I think most non chain pet stores understand it
Can’t wait till I get my set up ready fam motivation right here
Did you upload all the parts to this series at once!? Love it! Best Monday present ever!
We're like the Netflix of Aquatics!
Big Al's love that answer
Bro do we need to do water changes weekly for this type of saltwater aquarium
That's a lot of work for a tiny little tank like that!! I guess for a first time with saltwater its okay!!
Can you use a sponge filter?
need a video on brackish water!
I wonder is this same big Al's that was on Terry Rd. Jackson, ms
Can I set up a protein skimmer? I am new to this and setting up a 10 gallon but my hubby just bought me a 40 for xmas. I think maybe they go in a sump..lol Be kind I am a newbie and all my 10 has is a heater and a hob and powerhead. I have heard protein skimmers keep much cleaner and wont have to change water weekely. I really prefer for it not to show so I thought about returning for a aio since it has a place to hide the skimmer. What do you think, before I get past the return window. I like it to look nice and tidy
+Big Al's would you recommend the activated carbon it comes with over something like Seachem Purigen? I read Purigen does similar as carbon but requires less and last longer.
Hi there! In this filter how often should I change biological, mechanical filtration and Water Polishing? Will appreciate your response.
Very helpful
Thanks for sharing 👌
I had just bought a ten gallon tank (freshwater) and I was looking around for some heaters for my betta tank and ten gallon. I was wondering what you think the best heater is for them. The betta tank is 3.5 gallons
I know I’m late but do u have to buy a special aquarium and filter or are they the same
How many water in the standard aquarium and salt?
Great video as always where can I get one of those baseball caps
How much did all your equipment & supplies cost?
Not including the tank and stand (because we cannot sell them online), everything cost about $300, but fluctuates slightly based on your own setup. You can find everything we used here-- a VERY affordable way to dive into saltwater: www.bigalspets.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=Affordable+saltwater+kit&Image+-+a+affordable+saltwater+beginner+kit&Saltwater+Success+Without+the+Stress+-+Click+for+Details!&.07.26_Setup+Saltwater+Aquarium&_bta_tid=3.AIk0.CkOVzg.E90q.AjZZ-Q..Ay-6Jg.b..l.B5qc.n...EKWDXw&_bta_c=41snei9ucwy34aryrzzuqgzwea9ud
wcdeich4 not cheap dude!! Saltwater is really expensive!! Especially you're filters and then there's the fish ( not cheap either)
What about a sponge filter?
My main question is if vinegar is a safe thing to use when cleaning the tank out for the first time, before set up, instead of just tap water?
can I get a link to the stand Thomas is using
Got a big problem with your house if the tank isn’t level
how tall is that stand
This is a nice house
What’s the size of the tank you used here? Thanks for the video!
I believe this is 20 gallons?
I'm trying to learn things so that I could be preapered. I want to start with freshwater tank but kind of confused with the size of tank that im going to purchased. does the materials of tank matters to the condition of fish?
Daniel Aiman yes. Try getting the biggest tank u can it will be easier
hi i have about 5 galon aquarium my clownfish looks like got whitespots please tell me how to avoid them and my three stripe damsel fish ate my blue tang eye do you have any solution to my problem?
Fadhilah Naufal 5 gallons for 3 fish, I have a solution, use smaller fish like clowns, and only have one since it's 5 gal
You have ich, I dunno how to cure it
I have a trigon corner tank 190 litre ,
I have the original pump,filter and heater .I don't want to add any external filters or skimmers. does anyone have some advice on what setup I should use with this tank or types of fish?
Al How much is that filter?
What is the minimum size tank I can use for my friends dolphin - he wants to sell it ?
Joking, great video thanks
Does sink or fosset water salt water or fresh water
As a rule of thumb how many fish should go in the tank?
10 gallons 1-2 small fish
20 gallons 3-4 small fish
U have chiller ?
he is my best
want to know the size of this tank... length x width x height... will be very helpful and thanks in advance..... :)
Hi,
I have let my aquarium set for 3 weeks and did a test with the test strips and noticed the nitrate levels to be pretty high. How do I lower them so it will be safe when i get my fishes?
Nicole Tru Gamble pretty late answer but you can lower them by doing a waterchange.
You can put your fish in
Do a water change or do u have live plants
Do I need a filter canister can I just have a filter
Yes, but canister are superior
How many gallons is your tank
what size tank is this?
20 gallon :)
"not beside something that will rapidly heat... like a fireplace" proceeds to put tank right next to a fireplace.
Dadeshow which we immediately said was a fake fireplace!
@@BigAlsVOD i cant read lol
Second ( great videos, guys! )
Can I email you guys personally for tips? I went to all your stores across Canada and everything was amazing, would really love to contact someone for tips
Glad you enjoy the vids! You can reach out to us for tips a TON of different ways. Firstly, are you Canadian or were you visiting from the US? Let us know so we can provide you with the appropriate info!
+Big Al's Canadian all the way! Thanks for the fast reply.
+Big Al's what are the ways I can contact you?
+Big Al's can I message you privately on Facebook? Thanks for the quick reply again, haha.
Okay, Canuck-- here's how you can contact us! Reach out to us anytime in
the comments of our videos, and we'll get back to you with help. You
can also reach out to us on Facebook (facebook.com/BigAlsCanada), Twitter (twitter.com/BigAlsAquarium),
or by email at customerservice@bigalsonline.com! If you live near a
store, never hesitate to pop in to ask for advice and tips!
Can I use a hang on filter that is rated for 10 gallons in a 7 gallon saltwater fish tank.
yes
yes
That's even better!
2017 baby :)
Sam Houle 2018 baby:)
@@_death_heated 2018 baby 🤣
2019 baby :(
Could you use a hang on filter?
Yes, but most filtration is done via live rock but ofc an extra filtration wouldn't hurt
Most experienced reefers dont even have a filter just water flow
Clamps!
I just have a 20 gallon saltwater tank now it's on the cycling process so i'll waited for 2-3 weeks for a fish but I live in Indonesia in the city of Bogor here is a tropical place so it rains a lot the temperature is quite hot and humid I put on the thermometer in the aquarium and the water temperature in is 28 degrees celsius or 82 degrees ferenheit and isn't that reef aquarium supposed to be 23 degrees celsius or 82 degrees ferenheit but my fish store that i used to buy fish is located in Jakarta and is more hotter there than Bogor and the fish do just fine and the guys from the fish store said that is okay but I'm still worried so I want to ask is the temperature in my aquarium is okay for saltwater fish?because my previous experience is freshwater aquarium and it's a success and I also want to be success at saltwater aquarium hobby
Ideally, the temp would be between 78-82 for fish, and a little lower around 76-80 for corals. However, that isn't to say that corals or fish wouldn't adapt to a slightly higher temp in captivity. Just play it safe! If the corals and fish are doing well at the store in your area (long term) than they should be well adapted to those parameters and you're best bet for success is to match those parameters at home.
Why u didn't use sump and skimmer for marine aquarium.
I had a freshwater aquarium and i want to change it, so can I use the same filter?, and can i just get water from the sea?
You can use the same filter as long as it has enough gallons and the filter cartridge should be changed monthly so it depends on filter cartridge. And did you mean saltwater? Bc freshwater isn't ocean
Yes,you can use water from the sea.It depends on if you live near a harbor where junk gets dumped...
I would not recommend sea water....MANY impurities and you don't know what sorts of organisms or pathogens are in it. I also don't think the bacteria is the same? I could be wrong but most of what you add to a salt water tank will already have bio filters to assist the cycle (live sand, live rick etc)
Who ever reads this never ever use a Canister Style Filter on a Saltwater Tank, or otherwise you will need to clean it every day or your Tank will crash
As I live in Gro Mexico on the coast i can do saltwater for free with real ocean water and rocks already with algae. No waiting will be needed to cycle the aquarium. I have eaten fish that cost hundreds of dollars in the us.
Would that filter work for 29 gal
Firebird Gaming skimmer or aqua clear hang on the back filter works good too
I would get a larger one that filters MORE than how many gallons you have in the tank.
Don't you need rodi water
From what I understand, rodi is necessary for corals and such. Not for fish only. But, I am only basing that on what I've seen on TH-cam channels.
:( disappointed big al's no canister filters, the collect way too much nitrates, skimmer is best or hang on the back filter, main biological filtration is the rock not filter
As long as you clean a canister monthly you shouldn't have problems. I'm running an Eheim 250 on a 21 reef and have never had a nitrate problem.
I'm afraid you've been lied too. There is no evidence that suggests a canister filter will produce nitrates any differently than even a sump. If you do not clean it, yes, it will produce nitrates. But if you don't clean a sump, the same will occur. It really comes down to regular maintenance.
He put it next to a fireplace and he said not to lol
hahaha we'd put our foot in our mouthes, except it's a decorative fireplace only-- not functional.
Big Al's Ohh okay nice lol
He looks like the lead singer of system of a down
Don't place it near a source of heat... like right next to a fireplace
Exactly! Luckily ours was a fake fireplace-- looks nice but doesn't work!
+Thomas B hey where can I buy that fake fireplace and what do I feed it
+Thomas B ahhhhh I see the wild fake logs
There is a fireplace right there
clown like pranks Show he says it is fake
So Many Mistakes
Nitrate factory.
Maintenance schedule.
You couldn't do enough of it.
+Marcos S
Just because YOU can't do it doesn't mean that others are not capable. How is a properly setup cannister filter any different from a media reactor? Pump location? Key word there is "properly".
Many people successfully accomplish this everyday :/
Having said that I'd much rather suggest an eheim classic (or any 1way flow canister) over the marineland canister (or any 2way flow, both hoses on top). Basically a green media reactor.
Saltwater is not as difficult as many hobbyist suggest. Could the guy in the video have chosen better equipment? For sure, but that doesn't meant it won't sustain a saltwater aquarium if proper maintenance is performed. Water changes and weekly filter maintenance can go a very very long way and on a
Ryan, I am uncertain of why your panties are in such a tight wad. I fully understand how to run a tank, etc. That you do not need to explain. I am only saying that if someone, a new person to the hobby, watches this video, they will be misguided. You and I both know that this can and does work, however, as you mentioned a number of items, not mentioned in the video, need to be done. That is my only point. Rewatch the video or show it to a new person and they will have issues.
Thomas, I do not doubt that. I run my systems very similarly. The point is the video is incredibly basic and misleading. You are clearly an experienced hobbyist that can fill in the blanks of the video. That is my only point.
If anyone wants to make a real salt water tank and see all of his mistakes go to coralfish12g channel
He sounds like Kermit
This how to set up a filter not salt water tank
EMF does stuff it’s a series...
There is this thing called a title, how about you go ahead and read it.. there is a series on this.. this is just part 1.
Hey man! I was your 100th Dislike!!!!
NEO why?
i am your 1st disliker
Mr. KnowItAll init