Need some help with a 110

[gsxr1000]

To get started I'm new here, so Hi to all on the forum!
I have been playing with saltwater for about 3 years now. I have 110 tall with about 4 inches of live rock with about 30 pounds of Live coral. My local fish store has done nothing but lead me down the wrong road with my tank and I have just lost all my fish.
First off They told me to use an under gravel filter system with 3 power heads. I have added a filstar3 as well. They have been telling me that I don't need a protein skimmer If I keep the air tubes open.
Well needless to say The tank was good for about 3 years(till now). I have found from reading That this is not a good setup at all.
I'm starting the tank over and I'm looking for any ideas in set up? I know now that there will be a protein skimmer on the tank as well as my filstar3. I'm also thinking about pulling the tubes for the under gravel and just use the power heads for water flow. What else will I need to use?

 

[watson3]

First thing is why did you suddenly lose three years worth of fish..Did you start changing things..Do lose the UG, and just use the powereheads when starting over..

 

[aw2x3]

First thing you need to do it yank that undergravel filter, take it to the fish store and throw it at the head of the nearest employee.
You can easily get away with skimmer and canister, on a 110gal. Definately keep the powerheads for added circulation/water movement, in the tank.
IMO, you're gonna need to add more live rock...for the best ratio/healthiest environment, the standard rule is 1lb. - 2lb of live rock per gallon.
Now, with me being cheap/broke, I dont go straight by that rule. I usually run with 60% base rock/40% live rock. Eventually, all of the base rock will become live.
With those steps, you should quickly be on your way to having a healthy tank again.

 

[gsxr1000]

I have no Idea on the fish. I have tested the water and everything is good! I have asked around about the fish and was told it could have been bad frozen food or because I didn't have a protein skimmer.

 

[watson3]

Originally Posted by gsxr1000
I have tested the water and everything is good!
or because I didn't have a protein skimmer.

From now on, you should put specific measurments
Not everyone has a protein skimmer

 

[geridoc]

I too have a 110 high, and I think that the main problem with the tank is water movement. It tends to form micro-environments near the surface that are different from those at the bottom. I compensated for this by plumbing my return from the sump to a vertical pipe the height of the tank with an inlet at the surface and another at the bottom of the tank so that inflow mixes the two areas. This is important, imho, for oxygenation and nutrient distribution. I went may years without a skimmer or a refugium, but always had laboratory-grade water for mixing and top-off. I can't tell you how grateful I am that I finally sprung for a RODI at home so that I don't have to lug 8 gal every day from the lab. :cheer:

 

[gsxr1000]

Geridoc, you talked me into a sump! I have been reading about them all day. I think this is the best answer to all my problems.THANKS for the post! I was thinking about getting the Proclear pro 200 is this a good sump? It seem to come with almost everything I will need.