Hello all!!

[moat]

Hello all!!
I am a new marine hobbyist and just picked up my first tank today. It is a 90gal glass tank that I plan on doing a FOWLR set up in. I have a few questions regarding filtration, as this tank came with (NIB) filters that I suspect may not fill the requirements of my set up. It came with one each: Magnum 350 canister filter, fluidized bed, and an undergravel filter w/powerheads. The canister filter says its good for up to 55gal. Will this filtration set up work for me? Is there somthing I can add to make it work or would it be better to just start from scratch and buy a filter designed for 100gal?
thnx in advance
Rob

 

[razoreqx]

Originally Posted by Moat
Hello all!!
I am a new marine hobbyist and just picked up my first tank today. It is a 90gal glass tank that I plan on doing a FOWLR set up in. I have a few questions regarding filtration, as this tank came with (NIB) filters that I suspect may not fill the requirements of my set up. It came with one each: Magnum 350 canister filter, fluidized bed, and an undergravel filter w/powerheads. The canister filter says its good for up to 55gal. Will this filtration set up work for me? Is there somthing I can add to make it work or would it be better to just start from scratch and buy a filter designed for 100gal?
thnx in advance
Rob

Welcome to SWF.com!!! Sorry Im not the expert on canister filters so i wont be much help for you on filtration. but im sure someone out there is

 

[jdragunas]

the fluidized sandbed is a good filter, so hang on to that one. However, you should get a filter that's designed for at least 100 gallons. Also, DO NOT USE AN UNDERGRAVEL FILTER!!! and do not buy crushed coral substrate. you want sand. CC can be a nitrate trap, and with a 90 gallon tank, it most likely will be. The texture causes waste and leftover foods to become trapped in the substrate, and it eventually breaks down and causes nitrate problems.

 

[jdragunas]

oh yeah, welcome to the boards!!!

 

[saltn00b]

welcome to SWF. idk about the fluidized thingamajig, but i have yet to see anyone suggest an undergravel filter or anything other then LS for substrate. always get your self hardware that is made for a little bit larger then your current set up.

 

[rockies]

yeah, keep the powerheads for water movement (10x minimum for FOWLR) and ditch the undergravel. The more you spend in LR will also help with filtration and make a great looking tank also (IMO).
Welcome to the hobby!
You should spend a lot of time researching and this message board is a great resources. There's a book I'd recommend also "The Concientious Marine Aquarist" by Robert M. Fenner. Great resource and guides the consumer in lots of choices and in a way that will sustain this wonderful hobby for generations to come.

 

[bluegirl]

Welcome, Welcome, Welcome!! And what all those other guys said. LOL Seriously, everyone on here is great and they are always willing to offer advice and support. Hope you enjoy the boards as much as I do.

 

[moat]

Thank you for the warm welcome....I hope to post some pics of my system as soon as it is up and runnin.
cheers!
rob

 

[jdragunas]

oh yeah, one more thing, with a tank that size, you'll want to get a good protein skimmer... remember you get what you pay for, so don't skimp on the skimmer! and yes, definately get "the conscientious marine aquarist"

 

[socal57che]

um....................hi
welcome to the world of smileys
and salty fish things
and the board
and a ditto to jdragunas advice
may your fish live long and your green hair remain short

 

[coachklm]

ahhhhhhh........STOP.......READ AND TAKE YOUR TIME....welcome to the boards the biggest mistake you can make in this hobby is lack of patience and time. the cycle the substrate, the skimmer....and for some... the sump. all are the basic neccesities you need to read up on primarily.. welcome to the board and we hope you the best of luck...pictures will help us solve any problems that may occur. only stupid questions are those not asked and welcome again.

 

[jdragunas]

Originally Posted by socal57che
um....................hi
welcome to the world of smileys
and salty fish things
and the board
and a ditto to jdragunas advice
may your fish live long and your green hair remain short

socal, you crack me up!!!

 

[socal57che]

Originally Posted by jdragunas
socal, you crack me up!!!

Don't you sleep????
You were here at like 1am my time weren't you!!!! :notsure:
I've tried other message boards, but somehow always seem to migrate back here....and you're ALWAYS logged on.
You must sit down at your computer and it instinctively logs you in here.
ps I lived in Ohio once and realize there's not much to do there
and I'm glad I can make someone smile

and I can't leave these stupid smileys alone
I think my first tattoo should be a smiley.............but where to put it???????

 

[socal57che]

Originally Posted by coachKLM
ahhhhhhh........STOP.......READ AND TAKE YOUR TIME....welcome to the boards the biggest mistake you can make in this hobby is lack of patience and time. the cycle the substrate, the skimmer....and for some... the sump. all are the basic neccesities you need to read up on primarily.. welcome to the board and we hope you the best of luck...pictures will help us solve any problems that may occur. only stupid questions are those not asked and welcome again.
The good news here is that moat found SWF BEFORE setting up the tank. So we have time help before the fish get fried in the cycle.
Is your tank set up for a sump?
I run a fluval 404 on my 75 gal and am very pleased with it.
Some

[hr]
aquarists may tell you it's "not natural" but neither is keeping fish hostage.
Buy enough sand to cover the bottom at 4" deep
Mix live sand to keep cost down and seed the sandbed faster (rather than all live sand $$)
Live rock will be your best friend...buy a lot of it (I have about 75# in my 75 gal)
Buy a good test kit.........we will always ask water paramaters if you have problems
you might want to buy a small LED flashlight to check out the nocturnal creatures with. blue seems to work best as blue light penetrates water easily.
let us know your progress...we love success stories

 

[weberian]

I just got a Magnum 350 and it says it is for tanks up to 100 gal. So that should work fine for you. I don't understand why yours would say for 55 gal.

 

[jdragunas]

Originally Posted by socal57che
Don't you sleep????
You were here at like 1am my time weren't you!!!! :notsure:
I've tried other message boards, but somehow always seem to migrate back here....and you're ALWAYS logged on.
You must sit down at your computer and it instinctively logs you in here.
ps I lived in Ohio once and realize there's not much to do there
and I'm glad I can make someone smile

and I can't leave these stupid smileys alone
I think my first tattoo should be a smiley.............but where to put it???????
get the dancing banana on your tushie...
and yes, i sit at work, logged on all day long... my job is really boring, although business has picked up lately...

 

[moat]

This is what I read off of another site:
"The Magnum 350 provides mechanical and chemical filtration with powerful performance and easy setup and restart capability for aquariums up to 55 gallons (freshwater) and 40 (saltwater). The two stage filter can quickly and easily convert to a quick-clean micron water polisher. The Magnum has a self priming, bottom mounted sealed motor with a flow rate of 350gph. "
So mebbe their information is wrong or its an older unit.
As for my tank, I currently have 80lbs of live sand on order and am wondering how much to put in. Is there an advantage to making a deep sand bed or should I just stick with 1 to 2 inches?
As for Rock how much do you recommend for 90gal. If I plan on using pvc to give me some hight can I get away with using 60lbs or should I figure at least 1lb per gallon? :notsure:
cheers
Rob

 

[weberian]

Well, Marineland's website says up to 100 gal and that's what it says on the box. Of course they COULD be overstating its capacity. However, I used the Micron filter element the other day and I am VERY impressed. 340 square inches of surface area on the pleated element. My protein skimmer is not getting anything but slightly yellow water now (the Magnum is merely circulating water right now). I may even consider not using a skimmer full time.