New tank new hobby

coralnew

coralnew

New Member
Hello everybody, I am very new to saltwater aquarium. Been reading a lot recently. Have a question.
I am planning on a 75 gallon tank. I am planning to get very few fishes, some invert and some corals. ( still debating on specifics)
For the filter set up would you recommend a wetdry filter or a canister filter ? From what I gathered wetdry works pretty good. If that is true which one would u suggest out of these
-Eheim Pro Wet / Dry Canister Filter 2227
-SeaClear Vanguard Wet/Dry Trickle Filter
And if I use the seaclear vanguard, can I just use the heating coil to its sump ?
Thank you
 
wax32

wax32

Active Member
Neither! A quality hang on back protein skimmer (if you have no sump) is an easier option.
By the way, welcome to the boards!!
 
mandarin w

mandarin w

Member
Welcome to the forum, I also am from Ill. What part, if you are in the same section of the state. I will be more than happy to help you out. You can send me an email, I can give you my number. My email address is: mandarin_watcher
at yahoo
 
coralnew

coralnew

New Member
Originally Posted by wax32
Neither! A quality hang on back protein skimmer (if you have no sump) is an easier option.
By the way, welcome to the boards!!

You men to say I just need a skimmer as the whole filteration system ??
 
coralnew

coralnew

New Member
:thinking: You dont use them ???
I am checking out all the skimmers. The recycling ones cost about $ 500 .
Hey I am just a beginner. I need something which I can buy.
 
maelv

maelv

Active Member
Many people live by (affordable units):
Coralife super skimmer about $150 online for the 125 gallon model
ASM Skimmers (I got mine from this site G-2 rated for 200 gallons and I LOVE it)
Also people say that you should buy a bigger model than you tank size, cause the skimmers tend to be over-rated on their capacity....
And I am told that you can convert the ASM into a recirculation skimmer with some slight modifications
 
coralnew

coralnew

New Member
Originally Posted by wax32
Yup. Lots of people go that way. I actually don't even use a skimmer.

Just out of curiosity. So what do you use for filteration ?
 
b bauer

b bauer

Member
i have never heard of anyone just using a skimmer as a filter im also new to this but i thought it was the other way around must have filter may use skimmer.
 
dadszx7

dadszx7

Member
:cheer: :cheer: I've got a HOB protein skimmer on a 55 regular with about 80 of live rock. And about a 3.5 inch live sand bed. My ammo/nitrates have never gone above 0. Works for entry level and on a budget.
 
wax32

wax32

Active Member
Originally Posted by coralnew
Just out of curiosity. So what do you use for filteration ?
Lots of live rock.
 
coralnew

coralnew

New Member
Originally Posted by wax32
Lots of live rock.
So is it really enough to just have enough LR if we dont have that much bio load ? Does that work well with reefs ?
 
murph

murph

Active Member
Well as you can see methods in this hobby are open for debate and what works for one hobbyist is not always what will work for another.
Here IMO is the most important piece of advice I can give to the new hobbyist and his new system. ACCESS. You must have 360 degree access to the system.
In other words do not cram a sump under the DT in a stand and then cram the whole stand flush against a wall or worse yet a corner of the room. With room to move around the tank virtually every aspect of maintenance and setup will become easier and far far less likely to get neglected.
It is almost a certainty that as you progress in the hobby you will be making changes in plumbing, equipment and maintenance methods before arriving at what is right for your particular system. If you can not move easily around the tank and have room to work this will be a major headache.
 
wax32

wax32

Active Member
Good advice murph!
Your mileage may vary, just because I go without filtration doesn't mean it's for everyone. Hell, it might not even be for me! But, so far so good, and I did originally start my 29 gallon back in the day with no filtration either. Starting out as a newbie? I'd go with at least a skimmer. You can add a filter if you want to feel safer about water quality...
 
azaintcold

azaintcold

Member
I am also new to this hobby. I have the Ehiem 2227 right now, I have a 2229 on order. It doesn't have enough filtration, the LFS gave me the wrong one for my system. All i can say about the 2227 currently running is pretty weak, not enough capacity in the system to filter a good amount. . Spend the extra $$ and get the 2229 (taller=more water filtered at a time). Lucky for me, I complained enough and they are doing an even switch aroo.
 
coralnew

coralnew

New Member
Thanks a lot all of you. I am getting my tank this weekend.
Quick questions--
What would you prefera hydrometer or a Refractometer? and which brand ?
And for heaters I saw Visitherm stealth/Jager/Jalli heaters. which one is the best ? means durable and easy to operate ?
 
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