First Setup

[casinobob]

I'm planning on setting up a saltwater tank. I've had freshwater tanks for a couple years and want something more challenging and more interesting.
On a past thread I was told a Fluval canister filter for my 38 gal tank would work. And to also buy a skimmer. I'm planning on just starting with FOWLR but in the future would like to add corals once I get a hang of this first. Wondering if I should invest in a nicer filter at first (sump) with plans of coral in the future???? Also any other tips would be greatly appreciated.
:happyfish

 

[nas19320]

IMO don't skimp now because it will be more expensive in the long run especially if you are looking to do a reef tank in the future.

 

[casinobob]

What different filtration equipment will I need for a reef tank?

 

[nas19320]

Well here is what I am running right now on my mixed reef tank:
Remora Pro skimmer
HOB filter for media such as carbon or phosphate remover etc.
100 lbs. Fiji live rock
Deep sand bed
20x turnover with powerheads
I have been having really good success running this way and I believe that also using RO/DI water, a low bioload, and few other things have kept everything really healthy.
Due to space I am unable to have a sump or refuge but if I had the space I would definetly have them. It would make the tank much cleaner looking and a properly stocked refuge would make my display tank much healthier.

 

[casinobob]

So if I were to use the Fluval 304 or 404 since both are rated for much higher than my tank size, that should increase turnover of the water, which would be much better right????
Also, somone please correct me if I'm wrong, don' put the LR in until after the cycling?
Thanks Nas19320

 

[beaslbob]

Actually Lr is for the cycling.
What I recommend is you first establish a thriving plant life and then do the rest. Things go much easier that way.

 

[casinobob]

OK, correct me again please if I'm wrong, which I probably am, that's why this place is great.
Put in the sand and let it settle for a couple days. Then run the filter for a couple days to clear up the water. Put in the LR and a fish (or a shrimp from a grocery store?) to start the cycling.
Once that is done add plants.
Then add the fish I want.
Through all of this I'll be checking the different levels of nitrates and salt and the other stuff to be correct.
I plan on using the Fluval 304 with a good protein skimmer. Any suggestions for the protein skimmer would be appreciated. :thinking: Does that sound like a decent setup for filtration? Again I'm thinking of FOWLR at first, but in the future maybe adding corals, so will this get me by at first. Don't have the space now for a sump.
Thanks again

 

[nas19320]

I've never used a canister filter so I can't really give you an opinion on that. You can add the sand to the tank as long as its not Live sand and let it settle for a few days then start up the filtration if you want. As the bacteria begisn to establish itself it will help settle out the small sand particles. You can save yourself some money if you buy uncured LR as it will not only kick start your cycle but you won't have to pay the higher price for cured rock. During your cycle period keep an eye on your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels. IMO I would leave macro algae out of the display tank. Macro algae in a refuge is good but in a display tank some types can quickly overtake everything.

 

[squidd]

Originally posted by CasinoBob OK, correct me again please if I'm wrong, which I probably am, that's why this place is great.
Put in the sand and let it settle for a couple days. Then run the filter for a couple days to clear up the water. Put in the LR and a fish (or a shrimp from a grocery store?) to start the cycling.
Shrimp is a much better idea than a live fish, although either will work.
Once that is done add plants.

Pass on the plants for now, down the road you can start lookig at "sump/refuge" for plant growth "outside" your main tank...Plants are good for nutrient export, but best done in a seperate container...
Then add the fish I want.
One at a time, with a week or so between additions to give the biological filtration time to catch up
Through all of this I'll be checking the different levels of nitrates and salt and the other stuff to be correct.
Good...
I plan on using the Fluval 304 with a good protein skimmer. Any suggestions for the protein skimmer would be appreciated. :thinking:
A good "Mid-range" (price wise) skip the "under $200" units
Does that sound like a decent setup for filtration? Again I'm thinking of FOWLR at first, but in the future maybe adding corals, so will this get me by at first. Don't have the space now for a sump.
Two schools of thought here...
1.Get the biggest,best, top of the line,name brand, do a poll and only buy what the majority is using" ...
2.Use what you have, get the "best" you can afford,build up from there as experiance, needs and finances allow. Learn as you grow...
The setup you have suggested WILL work "for now" as your (and your tanks) needs change you can upgrade to a bigger,better, more efficient system.
Thanks again

 

[beaslbob]

Originally posted by CasinoBob
OK, correct me again please if I'm wrong, which I probably am, that's why this place is great.

Always good to check. this can be confusing.
Put in the sand and let it settle for a couple days. Then run the filter for a couple days to clear up the water. Put in the LR and a fish (or a shrimp from a grocery store?) to start the cycling.
Once that is done add plants.
..

Sorry I wasn't clearer. I recommend putting the sand in. Adding some saltwater, then placing the plants where you want them. then filling up the tank. Let things settle down and wait a week or so to make sure the plants are thriving.
then do the rest. (adding live rock, filters, circulation etc etc etc.)
And run the system fishless for at leat three weeks to allow fish born parasited (ICH) to die off from lack of a host fish. then add a single fish and dont' feed him for a week.

 

[casinobob]

Thanks DevilBoy
I've read other people talking about their fuge or making one. But nobody says exactly what it is for. I would guess its a holding tank to add more water to the system. Add macro algea to this, not in the display case. Also have sand in it I'm guessing.
For a basic one, do I just need a tank or container of some kind, (I have a spare 10 gallon tank) and just run water into it and then back out of it back into the display tank?
Thanks for replying everyone.

 

[redwinger]

Originally posted by Nas19320
Well here is what I am running right now on my mixed reef tank:
Remora Pro skimmer
HOB filter for media such as carbon or phosphate remover etc.
100 lbs. Fiji live rock
Deep sand bed
20x turnover with powerheads
I have been having really good success running this way and I believe that also using RO/DI water, a low bioload, and few other things have kept everything really healthy.
Due to space I am unable to have a sump or refuge but if I had the space I would definetly have them. It would make the tank much cleaner looking and a properly stocked refuge would make my display tank much healthier.
100 lbs for a 38 gallon ??? Just curious because I am about to start up a mini reef.

 

[casinobob]

I think Nas19320 was talking about his 55 gal tanks.

 

[beaslbob]

Originally posted by CasinoBob
Thanks DevilBoy
I've read other people talking about their fuge or making one. But nobody says exactly what it is for. I would guess its a holding tank to add more water to the system. Add macro algea to this, not in the display case. Also have sand in it I'm guessing.
For a basic one, do I just need a tank or container of some kind, (I have a spare 10 gallon tank) and just run water into it and then back out of it back into the display tank?
Thanks for replying everyone.

Basically you got it right. Just like a land wildlife refuge protests wildlife, an aquarium refugium is an area protected from the tank inhabitants to protect such things as plant life and pods. Usually it is thought of as being a seperate container (like the 10g) that circulates tank water to the container and back. In that way plants can grow unfettered by plant eating livestock. Be careful. As i found out the hard way external refugiums can create floods. Be sure to test anything you do for power outage and power return situations. Both can overfow the tank or refug spilling water into the room.
Another option is an in tank refug. the idea is to partition the tank into a protected area free of livestock. There is even a product I saw advertised in the latest FAMA which appears to be a clear partition with holes in it. The idea is that the plants can grow through the holes and the fish still eat those parts. Meanwhile the main portion of the macros/plants remain protected. In that way you don't need to do plumbing, add pumps, and the like.
hope this helps.

 

[casinobob]

Could you give me an idea of how yours is done? For example how you got yours to not flood.....what pumps to use for intake, and return...etc.
Thanks again!!!!
:happy:

 

[nas19320]

Originally posted by RedWinger
100 lbs for a 38 gallon ??? Just curious because I am about to start up a mini reef.
Yes CasinoBob is correct, I was referring to my 55 gallon.

 

[casinobob]

Ok, so I'm thinking I'm getting this down. But a couple more questions.
For a future reef tank, should I be using a canister filter, such as the Fluval 304, or should I be using a power filter? All opinions are appreciated.
For the fuge, do I just have an overflow container going down the the 10 gal tank, and a return pump that delivers that water back to the display? Any suggestions on pumps would be good.
Thanks

 

[casinobob]

Anyone have any answers to my last question?
Thanks

 

[125intx]

Well for what its worth I think the 404 is rated around 340gph. I am running two of them in my 125gal. Along with a wet/dry, and skimmer. (I am sure thats over kill by some peoples standards) I put one of the 404's in my nano and it blew the holy crap out of the tank! They flow alot of water. If you put some kind of spray bar on it I bet it would slow the "blast" of the water down or atleast spread it out over the tank.

 

[casinobob]

Thanks 125inTx
With getting a bigger thank, I will have more room under it to put stuff. I am considering a sump. Would it be ok to run water down to the sump from an overflow box. Then have the Fluval pulling water from the sump near the intake end, and have the return back into the sump near the return pump to the tank. I was also thinking of having the skimmer hang on the sump as well. Just let me know what everyone thinks of this idea.