Dumb Startup Questions

forddna

forddna

Member
Background..I'm converting a 120g planted fw tank to saltwater. I am selling everything off to save money for good live sand and live rock, to start out with.
I plan to buy an Octopus skimmer. I already have a Rena Filstar XP3 canister filter. I have 2, actually. If I wanted to use one, will this eliminate the need for a sump? If not, why not?
Now, I want to begin cycling my tank ASAP. If I buy the sand and rock, an RO/DI, and swap one of my XP3s over to brand new media (I assume there's a specific way to set it up for saltwater??), is there anything else I need just to cycle the tank? I plan to use the raw shrimp method.

One more question. With live sand, live rock, and a good skimmer, is one XP3 sufficient filtration? Is my only other concern water movement?
 
forddna

forddna

Member
No less than 120lbs. I will probably buy about that much, then add more as more cash comes along..
I also should have noted that I will start out FOWLR but plan to have corals and such later on.
Edited to add - The tank is drilled and I have the overflow stuff to use, but I have no idea what it is used for! Is there a way to incorporate my canister filter(s) with the overflows? I'd rather not have a bunch of stuff suction cupped to the back of the tank like I have now!
 
scotts

scotts

Active Member
Well not sure if this will answer your questions, but at least some info for you. One of the uses for a sump is to put most of those things that are suctioned cup to the side of your tank such as a heater. Another good thing about a sump is that the water level varies in your sump and it remains constant in your Display Tank (DT). It is a good place for your skimmer too.
I am not familiar with your filter but did kind of look at it. Since you already have the overflos one thing you could do is to get a cheap used aquarium and use it for your sump. I have my old 55 under my 125 that I use as my sump. I am not real sure of the flow rate on your filters but it seems like they could be used as the return pumps to return the water from your sump to your DT.
HTH
Scott
 
forddna

forddna

Member
So I would be using the canister filter just as a return pump? Is that cost effective? I mean, I can sell my filter for $75 or so.
This is all so confusing.
 
buckster71

buckster71

Member
If you are going to add corals later as I did, don't get trapped into putting in a nitrate factory from the start.
I would definately go with the refuge to start. Plus more flow the better so I would can the canister. You can build a sump rather easily and buy a pump with good flow.
I just finished a three day project, because I found that I had to change everything underneath my tank. It makes it harder to replace once you are up and running.
Build it right from the start. It will save you alot of head scratching Edison style work...because you start to become a field engineer
 
buckster71

buckster71

Member
Worst part is that you have to cure any PVC pipe changes for at least 2 hours and flush them first. Don't want to get into testing what works mode with your fishies waiting for freshly filtered water!
That is the last time...as I was a greenback noob when I first started this Saltwater fish tank for my wife....3 months later I dove in head first and only my feet are showing...

Space constraints, busted threads, pumps to slow...oh my!
 
D

dennis210

Guest
This will be one of those for what it's worth answers.
As stated a sump will be the perferred choice. As far as the canister is concerned - in a FWT the cannister is great at what it is designed for - breaking down am - nitrite & producing nitrate. Your live rock and live sand does that! They will also break down nitrate - so why produce more in a canister? I use and tell people if you have a canister strip out every thing and run just for carbon filtration. You will be changing the carbon monthly so it should never become a nitrate factory.
Hope this helps
Dennis
 
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