initial set-up

[scrappin125]

I would like to ask for some opinions. I just got a 125g and I would like to set it up as an aggressive tank. So far, my main concern is filtration. I have a fluval 403, protien skimmer,power heads, etc. I am planning on buying my live rock this weekend. I have seen anywhere from 1/2 to maybe 3-4 lbs. per gallon. My local store says I can get away with 80lbs. for set-up, will this be sufficient for a few months as I get everything balanced, cycled and more suitable for the triggers and puffers I will eventually want? I do plan on adding more rock, if it is necessary. I am truly a novice, but am surrounded by friends who have been into this for years. I'd like to get some outside opinions as to the basics of set-up. One question I have is how often the water should be filtered, how many times per hour? Is under gravel as crappy as I've been told by friends? I would be grateful for any and all suggestions. Thanks.

 

[trigahappynigerog]

im not sure how many gallons per hour is required for a 125 but i can tell you that UGFs are an ancient peice of filtration used in the aquatic industry. with all the new equipment out there i suggest for you not to use it..try looking into a sump where you can fit more water volume and all your filtration equipment..

 

[scrappin125]

ok, so if UGF's are old, what are you recommending? I am spending as much time reading old Q & A's as time at work allows, so please bear with me if my questions have been asked already. Would you suggest a deep sand bed? I saw where someone said it was a pretty easy to have, not much in the way of maintainance. I was planning on getting one more of the filters I have, the fluval 403. It flows at a max rate of 317gpm, if I had 2, it could cycle my water every 10-12 minutes. Is this too much? I want a clean tank, but I don't want to over do it. Also, I was planning on getting a RO unit, is this something most people have? Any wisdom on the Ultra Violet filter set up? Pro's and Con's welcome. Oh, abreviations mean nothing to me yet, so if I could get whole words for a while, I would appreciate it. thanks.

 

[grandriverdude]

First you need to need to know that fluval 404's filter 317 gallons per HOUR (NOT MINUTES!) There is no way it could go that fast. For your size tank you will probably want something like water fully circulated 6-8 times per hour i would say. So a total of 1,000 gallons per hour of circulation would be great for your tank.
If you want something like a sump, a refugium would be a real good idea for you.
Hope this helps!

 

[scrappin125]

Thank you, that's the kind of answer I have been looking for. So I will need one more of the 404's, and I didn't mean to put gpm, I knew it was hours, typo on my part. So I have made the decision to go with live sand and live rock. How much sand do I need? I'm putting in 140lbs of live rock, is sand about the same? About a lb. per gallon? I'm having fun with all of this, but I can't understand why more people don't offer up suggestions or ideas that they got as they set up for the first time. Thank you to the two people who have given me some help. Anybody else care to help? I would like to do this right from the beginning, not really looking forward to trial and error. Thanks to any and all in advance,
the "new guy".