my first SW tank a heads up needed on some things plz

[madyotto]

Hi all
I would start by introducing myself my name is Matty i have kept all kinds of fish except SW
I am a very adept freshwater keeper and breed these for a hobby
and have also kept pond fish for many years too.
i will be soon to start my first SW tank but need to learn somethings first
I have a 3FT (120 liter approx)tank ready for this.
1. now so i have been told you double the filter size that you would use in a FW tank, so i am presuming that a 600liter and hour will suffice?
I have looked into the 3 main types of filtering used in SW, and opted for an internal sump type.
That i intend on making out of perspex or acrylic.
So i plan on making 3 compartments for this one for skimming, one with all of the filter media in and another for my pump.
and in regards to this i need some added info/pointers
2. what type of filter media can be used.
for example when i kept pond fish to save on cost's we used to use a combination of 1/2 inch lengths of hose pipe and 1/2 inch lengths of 1/4 inch coiled tubing
so would this type of media be acceptable for SW?
and i also plan to use some small 1/2 inch or so cube's of filter type sponge along with the filer it's self.
3. gravel and substrate.
in my FW tank for example i use aquatic peat to bring the ph down for my neon's
the PH in the area would stay at nearly 8 otherwise!!!!!
SO i ask what methods can be used in SW to control this in the same kind of manor without chemicals!! ?
And is normal gravel like i use in FW ok?
4. i have a meter to measure the salt level.
But what Type of Salts Can Be Used?
And which is the best and cheapest to buy in bulk?
5. Foods now i have no clue what fish i will keep in the end but i do plan on starting with some clown fish i will then buy fish to suite them and a community style tank.
what is the difference in cost (roughly)?
and what types of main food can be given
6. mysis shrimp i have been told are a good food treat
how easy are these to breed in comparison to brine shrimp?
7. how do i know what protein skimmer to buy for my 120 liter?
8. As i want to initially stay away from Coral are there many plant's for SW
9. also any other tips a novice SW keeper may need to know ?
thanks in advance for any reply

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by madyotto http:///t/391170/my-first-sw-tank-a-heads-up-needed-on-some-things-plz#post_3467701
Hi all
I would start by introducing myself my name is Matty i have kept all kinds of fish except SW
I am a very adept freshwater keeper and breed these for a hobby
and have also kept pond fish for many years too.
i will be soon to start my first SW tank but need to learn somethings first
I have a 3FT (120 liter approx)tank ready for this.
1. now so i have been told you double the filter size that you would use in a FW tank, so i am presuming that a 600liter and hour will suffice? Whatever filter size you had for freah will work with SW
I have looked into the 3 main types of filtering used in SW, and opted for an internal sump type.
That i intend on making out of perspex or acrylic. You will get lots of help here
So i plan on making 3 compartments for this one for skimming, one with all of the filter media in and another for my pump.
and in regards to this i need some added info/pointers
2. what type of filter media can be used.
for example when i kept pond fish to save on cost's we used to use a combination of 1/2 inch lengths of hose pipe and 1/2 inch lengths of 1/4 inch coiled tubing In my sump, I run a skimmer, a duel carbon and phosphate reactor and an Aquaripure filter...no media except what goes in the reactor...there are many ways to do things...other will chime in.
so would this type of media be acceptable for SW?
and i also plan to use some small 1/2 inch or so cube's of filter type sponge along with the filer it's self.
3. gravel and substrate. Aragonite live or dry sand.
in my FW tank for example i use aquatic peat to bring the ph down for my neon's
the PH in the area would stay at nearly 8 otherwise!!!!!
SO i ask what methods can be used in SW to control this in the same kind of manor without chemicals!! ? Macroalgaes and turf scrubbers...hang around you will have lots of help on this too
And is normal gravel like i use in FW ok? No...see #3
4. i have a meter to measure the salt level. Refractometer or hydrometer is needed.
But what Type of Salts Can Be Used? Fish only without coral...Instant Ocean is what I use
And which is the best and cheapest to buy in bulk?
5. Foods now i have no clue what fish i will keep in the end but i do plan on starting with some clown fish i will then buy fish to suite them and a community style tank.
what is the difference in cost (roughly)?
and what types of main food can be given
6. mysis shrimp i have been told are a good food treat
how easy are these to breed in comparison to brine shrimp? Frozen mysis is good fish food, brine is candy and not good fish food.
7. how do i know what protein skimmer to buy for my 120 liter? We are here to help, it depends on your budget and the size of your tank and bioload.
8. As i want to initially stay away from Coral are there many plant's for SW Macroalgaes are awesome and a natural way to control nitrates and phosphates.
9. also any other tips a novice SW keeper may need to know ? A good book for a beginner will help, a good book on fish and inverts as well....
thanks in advance for any reply
Welcome to the site!
Here are two of the most useful books I have ever found for the hobby

A page so you can see the info offered

Another great book to keep on hand

and a page from it

 

[madyotto]

ok thanks it helped a tiny bit
not that i know what half of the names u posted are
in terms of the skimmer i will need past habit's with FW predict i will have close to the max capacity so would need one for a good bio load
also to help with this as i am not sure how you guys would convert liters to gallons as many think a gallon is a gallon when this is not the case i have made this simple for you guys
my tank size converts is as follows
120 liter OR 32 US Gallons OR 26.5 UK Gallons
oh and in relation to question 2
would what i posted work as i have these lying around already not used in pond or tank so as not to confuse
and to answer question 4 i have a hydrometer already just couldnt remember the name before
oh and PS i will not be buying my protein skimmer from a pet store so they can rob me blind i will be using ebay

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by madyotto http:///t/391170/my-first-sw-tank-a-heads-up-needed-on-some-things-plz#post_3467735
ok thanks it helped a tiny bit
not that i know what half of the names u posted are
in terms of the skimmer i will need past habit's with FW predict i will have close to the max capacity so would need one for a good bio load
also to help with this as i am not sure how you guys would convert liters to gallons as many think a gallon is a gallon when this is not the case i have made this simple for you guys
my tank size converts is as follows
120 liter OR 32 US Gallons OR 26.5 UK Gallons
oh and in relation to question 2
would what i posted work as i have these lying around already not used in pond or tank so as not to confuse
and to answer question 4 i have a hydrometer already just couldnt remember the name before
oh and PS i will not be buying my protein skimmer from a pet store so they can rob me blind i will be using ebay
I purchase 99% of my equipment online as well.
I'm sorry you didn't understand the words I used. I will try and explain.
Macroalgae is a marine plant for lack of a better explanation. It isn't coral which is a creature of the sea. Macros grow and feed on nitrates and phosphates...when you trim the macro to keep it under control you actually remove phosphates and nitrates. These are what contributes to poor water quality, so removing them naturally is a very good thing. A turf scrubber is a hand made DIY algae collector that does the same thing macroalgae does, you wash it off once a week and remove phosphates and nitrates. A skimmer removes organic waste, not phosphates or nitrates.
A refractometer is a gadget that does the same thing as a hydrometer but more exact. It measures the specific gravity (SG) or saltiness of the water.
If you have a sump (tank under the main tank as a filter) you can add whatever you like for media. A reactor is a gadget you can purchase that holds media and slow drips the filtered water back into the tank. A sump is very hard to run media because it doesn't have the access to water flow which is how media is best used. A sump holds water where the skimmer can collect it and filter organics out, your heater and anything else you need for the tank....and folks often do use filter bags to hold media and try to control phosphates and nitrates but it isn't as efficient as using a reactor.
Phospahte media is .. Grandular ferric Acid (GFO)...or ...Phosban which is a white grainy stuff in a pouch.
A nitrate remover is a filter such as Aquripure..it holds bacteria and slow drip back into the tank the filtered water. Water changes are best for removing nitrates.
Carbon...will control toxins, and polish the water.
In a FW tank it can be working alive with fish....not so in a SW tank. The SW fish are very territorial, they don't like other fish with the same color or body type, they fight. Some SW fish, such as the yellow tang wants 6 foot of personal space. They get ornery to the fish in the tank with them and chase them from his territory. Some SW fish are happy with a rock, or a certain corner...they stay in their area and defend it. So a tank that can hold in FW terms... an inch of fish per gallon does not work for SW fish. That's why the books I posted will help. If you learn the behavior of the fish you can select the proper tank mates. (folks here on the site are also a huge help)
The water parameters are balanced by the saltwater mix...so regular water changes keep everything at the right levels. Otherwise you have to supplement with chemicals. that means you have to test first to see what needs dosing and dose accordingly. regular water changes are the easiest way to keep everything in balance and healthy.

 

[madyotto]

THANKS ALL I AM OF GREAT UNDERSTANDING NOW
i have changed my mind again now and decided to opt for a home made sump and over flow box
in my sump after a lil research and your help
i will use live sand algee grass of some kind saw some in a pic
so would you say that my math is about right in regards to pump size ?
i have 150 liter tank X10 = 1500 liter an hours flow
elevated clime of approx 4FT meaning ii would need approx 2500 liter an hour (+) pump ?
Thank you all so much for your patients
can some one post pics of crushed corel and sand plz i see lots on google but it all looks new and i want an idea of its look after been running some time thanks