A hearty hello from Colorado :)

[dans85]

Hello everyone, I'm new to the site,and wanting to start my first marine aquarium (fish with live rock) and I'm looking for some advise and a little guidance. I have a little while until I get to get it going, so my plan is to piece together everything that I need, so when I'm ready, I'll be ready to roll. Right now, I'm looking at buying the 55g aqueon starter kit from ***** (no good lfs here), a zoo med dual T5 HO lighting system, Hydor koralia water circulation pump, and possibly a canister filter system. How does this sound to you guys? Thanks in advance, and thanks for the vast information on this site

 

[flower]

Hello, and welcome to the site.
I had my canister for many years with no troubles, it runs silent and the spray-bar is great for moving the surface water. There is very little in those ***** starter kits that are useful for the SW tank.
The lights are fine, but you need:

• 
  Skimmer
• 
  2x Koralia pumps
• 
  Hydrometer or refractometer.
  Don't forget lab type test kits.
  You will want to use frozen foods, not the flake foods they put in those kits.
  Sand is better then crushed coral.

 

[dans85]

Thanks for the reply. The reason that I am thinking about buying the kit, is because we just adopted a 2 ferrets from ***** yesterday, and they gave us a coupon book that has 25% off of a Aqueon starter kit, which would put it at $150 instead of $200, and the cost of the tank alone is $115, and a heater alone is around $42. I know that I'm going to have to spend some money on a SW tank, but if I can get things cheaper, I'm going to. The aquatic specialist there said that skimmers aren't necessary in a fish with live rock tank, but I have no idea, so that's why I'm asking you guys. Any recommendations for a skimmer? . Why couldn't I use one of the Koralia pumps? I am looking at the Evolution 1050, that pump combined with any filter that is rated for 55g or more will give me the required 20x turn over rate. My main reason for this tank is because I have developed a fascination with Gobys. I really want a Diamond Goby, and a live sand substrate is a must.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dans85 http:///t/394880/a-hearty-hello-from-colorado#post_3514907
Thanks for the reply. The reason that I am thinking about buying the kit, is because we just adopted a 2 ferrets from ***** yesterday, and they gave us a coupon book that has 25% off of a Aqueon starter kit, which would put it at $150 instead of $200, and the cost of the tank alone is $115, and a heater alone is around $42. I know that I'm going to have to spend some money on a SW tank, but if I can get things cheaper, I'm going to. The aquatic specialist there said that skimmers aren't necessary in a fish with live rock tank, but I have no idea, so that's why I'm asking you guys. Any recommendations for a skimmer? . Why couldn't I use one of the Koralia pumps? I am looking at the Evolution 1050, that pump combined with any filter that is rated for 55g or more will give me the required 20x turn over rate. My main reason for this tank is because I have developed a fascination with Gobys. I really want a Diamond Goby, and a live sand substrate is a must.
Hi,
You don't need everything ***** is offering in their package. Remove the items you don't need and get the set up cheaper. They will be glad to remove and take money off for items you don't need. The reason for two power heads is create the wave of the ocean...the more you mimic nature, the better off you are for your fish to survive. One power head needs to be aimed towards the top of the tank to move the surface water and push the current to the other side of the tank...the second power head is placed on the opposite side and a little lower, to create another water current pushing to the other side of the tank. The good strong flow of the created current will keep the rocks clear of detritus, and suspend the solid waste to be picked up by the filter. Saltwater has less oxygen than freshwater, so the surface needs to really move for good gas exchange. The surface of the water should look like it's boiling. Saltwater tanks are not covered for the same reason, so a lid is not used. A canopy is often used to make the tank look better, but a canopy is open on top, the hinged lid is just for looks.
Your filter is to collect solid waste, the live rock is your main natural filter, and live rock needs a good strong current. You won't need a skimmer for a few months. If you plan to have a refugium with macroalgae, or a sump system with an algae scrubber, you won't need a skimmer. You mentioned a canister filter...that system will need a hang on the Back skimmer later on. I have yet to find a brand of HOB skimmer I like...others may chime in, but I can only tell you what NOT to get, according to my own experience when I had canister filters.
Stay away from Coralife brand anything. Coralife went out of business, and all that is left is the junk, the ones who bought them out, couldn't get rid of.
A Cyclone skimmer is a waste of money and so is the Bac-pac ...mine pulled very little anything out of the tank and IMO is just crap.
Tunze is a good brand, and so is the Octopus, but I have only used the in-sump skimmers of those brands.

 

[dans85]

So after crunching numbers, it will be less expensive for me to just get the tank instead of the starter kit. Any opinions on a brand of a canister filter?

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dans85 http:///t/394880/a-hearty-hello-from-colorado#post_3514943
So after crunching numbers, it will be less expensive for me to just get the tank instead of the starter kit. Any opinions on a brand of a canister filter? And is this a skimmer?
Hi,
Don't post links...it's not allowed. I think every new member does it at least once...so go and edit your post and remove it. Just post the brand, we can look it up if we need to.
Canisters pretty much all work the same. The difference is how easy they are to service. Personally I love the Fluval brand best, and I also liked the Cascade. Stay away from the Marineland brand and if you find anything with the Coralife brand....keep going and don't even entertain it in your thoughts. The Marineland canister is good, but it vacuum seals so tight, it needs Hercules to get the lid off. The most important thing to remember is to keep up on the monthly maintenance regardless of the brand you choose.
I'm going to tell you right now, do not get your skimmer at the LFS, especially Petsmart. Go online and check out what is available on SWfish.com, Foster and Smith or or Bulk reef supply. See what they have to offer. You can shop around for at least 2 to 3 months before you will even need a skimmer...then folks here can guild you to a brand, so don't concern yourself with that for now.
LOL...I just checked out the skimmer you posted a link to...That is not the type of skimmer you need...This is a HOB Octopus skimmer, and what I would choose to get. the cup on top gets full of brown yucky gunk and you remove it by just popping it off, and dumping it out...super easy and this brand is worth the getting. $220.00

Same skimmer different view:

 

[snakeblitz33]

Hi there! Welcome to the forums. I hope you enjoy your stay.
Personally, id start with some base rock and some course grain aragonite sand. Or crushed coral as long as you keep it maintained. About 10-20 pounds of quality live rock is sufficient.
An emperor 280 or possibly the 400 model works well for that size tank. An aqueon powerhead and heater is a great start. Doesnt have to be really fancy.
Skimmers arent necessarily needed for the first six months to a year that a tank is running. As long as your doing proper water changes by removing as much solid waste from the system as you can.
I would invest in maintenance tools at first. 5g utility container for water changes. A siphon hose or gravel vac. A turkey baster. Some salt like instant ocean is a good choice. A good grade rubbermaid tub (20g) and a maxijet 1200 (or stronger) powerhead to mix some saltwater would be a great start to a healthy tank.

 

[dans85]

Sorry about that, won't happen again. I did some research on the octopus skimmers last night, and I think that's the one that I'll go with. Does anyone have ant experience with the Hydor in-line heaters for the canister filters? Any preference on live rock? Like I said before, we are going to be moving into a new house in the next few months, and I am going to wait until then before I start setting anything up, so I have some time to piece things together.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dans85 http:///t/394880/a-hearty-hello-from-colorado#post_3514986
Sorry about that, won't happen again. I did some research on the octopus skimmers last night, and I think that's the one that I'll go with. Does anyone have ant experience with the Hydor in-line heaters for the canister filters? Any preference on live rock? Like I said before, we are going to be moving into a new house in the next few months, and I am going to wait until then before I start setting anything up, so I have some time to piece things together.
LOL...I just gave one away. The Fluval canisters come with a ribbed hose, and that hose will leak with the in-line heater...a regular hose will do just fine. The cascade canister has the regular hose. I think you can swap out the ribbed hose on the Fluval, and replace it with regular hose, but I have never done that.
You won't need a skimmer for a while, so I would just put that purchase on the back burner.
What items you need/should have, to set up a saltwater tank:

[*]
At the top of the new Hobbyists section are 101 tips for getting started...read through that.
[*]
A saltwater beginners book, so you can learn the lingo and understand what is being said, and why.
[*]
Most important need: PATIENCE, if you get in a hurry to add fish, or use junk sold to speed up the cycle, you will fail.
[*]
Tank
[*]
Saltwater mix
[*]
Lab type test kits (basic = Alkalinity, PH, Nitrates, nitrites, and ammonia)
[*]
Hydrometer or a Refractometer
Heater
Substrate (IMO sand is best over crushed coral. It's easier to keep clean, with no vacuuming needed) 2 inches is all that you need.
Reverse Osmosis water (either get it from a refill station at the grocery store, or purchase your own 5 stage unit) NEVER use tap water, or you will have algae nightmares.
Live rock...a pound of rock per gallon is a rule of thumb...IMO...Really you just need to have the rock go half way up the back of the tank.
Thermometer
At least 2 power heads (you must create a wave, it's the life of the ocean, and your SW tank) The Koralia type or MP10
10g or 20g tank for a Quarantine tank, Use an air pump + line with no stone, and a piece of PVC pipe for the new fish to hide and feel safe...use the discarded media from the canister filter in a cascade type of HOB filter (this will prevent any ammonia spikes) Add 1 fish and wait 4 weeks to sure it's healthy before adding it to your display tank. If your fish turns up to be sick or has parasites, you treat it in the QT so ONLY healthy fish goes into your main setup. You can also cycle both the QT and Display at the same time...use a chunk of raw shrimp, just toss in a piece into each tank, and wait for the cycle to complete.
Down the road about 3 to 4 or maybe 6 months...purchase a skimmer for the display, you will never need one for the QT.

 

[dans85]

This is definitely the most helpful forum on the web! Thanks a million guys!!
So here's the plan for now
55g Aqueon tank
Either a Fluval 306 or Cascade 700 filter (probably the Cascade, it has similar reviews, it's more cost effective and I don't have to buy different hoses)
Hydor in-line heater
Zoo Med T5HO lighting stsyem
2 Koralia powerheads (not sure of the size, can you have too much water movement?)
This is the equipment for the tank itself, not including the test kits, sand, rock, salt, ect. I'm planning on building my own stand to help save on some of the cost, I can build one for around 1/3-1/2 the cost. Am I missing anything here? Does this setup sound okay to you guys?

 

[snakeblitz33]

Ditch the canister and youll be fine.
Start a new thread on canister vs. HOB and at least 98% will say no to canisters. Flower got really lucky with her canisters, but i have seen more people with canister filters have their tanks crash then any other setup.

 

[dans85]

Ok, well in that case, the starter kit that I was initially planning on will be the way to go. It comes with Aqueon 90 filter, heater, and hood all for around $150 after my coupon. I know the hood will be pretty much useless, but it will be the best way to go considering when purchased separately the tank is $115, heater is around $45, and the filter is around $35. So all that will be left to get will be the power heads and the T5 system. Can the heaters be buried underneath the sand?

 

[snakeblitz33]

No, but you might could put it in the back of the aqueon filter.

 

[dans85]

Does anyone have any experience with the AC 50-110 HOB modded to be used as a refugium? Can it grow micro algae? If I made one of these would it eliminate the need for a skimmer? Sorry for all of the stupid questions, but I am completely new to the SW world.
While I'm thinking about it, I thought I'd add that this tank will be for peaceful community fish, if that makes a difference.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/394880/a-hearty-hello-from-colorado#post_3515001
Ditch the canister and youll be fine.
Start a new thread on canister vs. HOB and at least 98% will say no to canisters. Flower got really lucky with her canisters, but i have seen more people with canister filters have their tanks crash then any other setup.
You got it...Because I have NEVER heard of a canister filter causing a crash...EVER.