Hi All Back in the Hobby and Back to this Great Place

christopherm

christopherm

New Member
I have been out of the hobby for a few years due in fact to many problems when I switched from fresh water to salt and the loss of a great paying job. Well it has been over 2 years but I am back to work and am once again trying to start a salt water tank. I have been reading the post here for the last couple of days. Wright now I can and have set up my 30 gal it is starting to cycle as we speak. I used what I had on hand that worked for me in the past to start the tank, but I know everything changes so my first question and I mean my first because I will have many is how much change has there been. My current setup is:
30 gal tank
Tropical Play Sand from the Caribbean ( all the rage a few years ago) I had great luck with it.
What was at one time Live Rock from Florida now Base rock about 30 lbs in the tank but I have more.
2 Whisper 200 Filters for now.
( I have a sump or wet dry filter it is called SHARK by Penn-Plax that I might put back into service it gave me a hard time the last time, pump problems, keeping the siphon. ect. ect.
The pump is a Shark by Penn-Plax 130-525 GPH it need a new impeller ( is it worth it?)
Bio Balls? (yes/no)
Skimmer is Aqua Clear Aquatics with a Rio 1700 pump (good/bad?) I don't think I ever got it to work right.
This tank will be a fish only with live rock for now.
Lighting will probably be just 3 T-8 bulbs
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
Welcome back to the addiction!
I don't know too much about Shark products, so I can't help you out too much there.
I am not a fan of bioballs, but if they worked for you in the past, no reason that they won't work for you again. Everything else looks good.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChristopherM http:///t/389915/hi-all-back-in-the-hobby-and-back-to-this-great-place#post_3449262
Welcome to the site! I hope you enjoy your stay!
I have been out of the hobby for a few years due in fact to many problems when I switched from fresh water to salt and the loss of a great paying job. Well it has been over 2 years but I am back to work and am once again trying to start a salt water tank. I have been reading the post here for the last couple of days. Wright now I can and have set up my 30 gal it is starting to cycle as we speak. I used what I had on hand that worked for me in the past to start the tank, but I know everything changes so my first question and I mean my first because I will have many is how much change has there been. My current setup is:
30 gal tank
Tropical Play Sand from the Caribbean ( all the rage a few years ago) I had great luck with it.
What was at one time Live Rock from Florida now Base rock about 30 lbs in the tank but I have more.
2 Whisper 200 Filters for now.
( I have a sump or wet dry filter it is called SHARK by Penn-Plax that I might put back into service it gave me a hard time the last time, pump problems, keeping the siphon. ect. ect. If it gave you a hard time, start fresh. Or keep it... post pics would help.
The pump is a Shark by Penn-Plax 130-525 GPH it need a new impeller ( is it worth it?)
Bio Balls? (yes/no/maybe)
Skimmer is Aqua Clear Aquatics with a Rio 1700 pump (good/bad?) I don't think I ever got it to work right. Don't know.
This tank will be a fish only with live rock for now.

Lighting will probably be just 3 T-8 bulbs
 
xcali1985

xcali1985

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by travelerjp98 http:///t/389915/hi-all-back-in-the-hobby-and-back-to-this-great-place#post_3450437
Make sure to understand bioball maintenance before you say yes to them/........
+1, The best maintenance when it comes to bio-balls is the initial setup. Keeping food and other media out of the balls makes for easier maintenance down the road. Also preventive maintenance, such as regularly changing out filter pads and such will help make them easier to clean and prevent them from becoming a nitrate factory!
 
mr. limpid

mr. limpid

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChristopherM http:///t/389915/hi-all-back-in-the-hobby-and-back-to-this-great-place#post_3449262
I have been out of the hobby for a few years due in fact to many problems when I switched from fresh water to salt and the loss of a great paying job. Well it has been over 2 years but I am back to work and am once again trying to start a salt water tank. I have been reading the post here for the last couple of days. Wright now I can and have set up my 30 gal it is starting to cycle as we speak. I used what I had on hand that worked for me in the past to start the tank, but I know everything changes so my first question and I mean my first because I will have many is how much change has there been. My current setup is:
Welocome back
30 gal tank
Tropical Play Sand from the Caribbean ( all the rage a few years ago) I had great luck with it.
What was at one time Live Rock from Florida now Base rock about 30 lbs in the tank but I have more.
2 Whisper 200 Filters for now.
( I have a sump or wet dry filter it is called SHARK by Penn-Plax that I might put back into service it gave me a hard time the last time, pump problems, keeping the siphon. ect. ect. check for air holes in line
The pump is a Shark by Penn-Plax 130-525 GPH it need a new impeller ( is it worth it?) if its working its worth it
Bio Balls? (yes/no) yes if you clean them (1/3 at a time) no if you don't clean them
Skimmer is Aqua Clear Aquatics with a Rio 1700 pump (good/bad?) I don't think I ever got it to work right. if didn't work good then no (could always add later with FOWLR.
This tank will be a fish only with live rock for now.
I have same I do both LR and Bio balls.
Lighting will probably be just 3 T-8 bulbs
 
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