Question About New Setup

[larry06]

Hello All,

I recently decided to convert to saltwater on my 72 gallon corner fishtank. I just ordered my supplies that I need and I have a question about what I purchased.

Equipment:

Eshopp 75 gallon wet/dry
Hydor 550/600 circulator pump
marineland 300 gph return pump for sump


My question is will this be sufficent for a fis only with live rock tank? I will also be using live sand as well, and I plan to add a protein skimmer a little later.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Larry06 http:///t/397218/question-about-new-setup#post_3539711
Hello All,

I recently decided to convert to saltwater on my 72 gallon corner fishtank. I just ordered my supplies that I need and I have a question about what I purchased.

Equipment:

Eshopp 75 gallon wet/dry
Hydor 550/600 circulator pump
marineland 300 gph return pump for sump


My question is will this be sufficent for a fis only with live rock tank? I will also be using live sand as well, and I plan to add a protein skimmer a little later.

Hi,

You're on the right track for sure. It's indeed plenty of filtration. The live rock will also seed your sand over time. It's my opinion that live reef sand is always the best way to go, the next grade down would be the bagged live sand loaded with the good bacteria, and the lowest would be dry aragonite sand. I wouldn't recommend crushed coral at all, it's hard to keep clean because the CUC of snails and such can't do a good job on it, and many SW critters have a problem with it as well.

 

[larry06]

Thanks for your help, I went with this sand (the original kind).http://www.caribsea.com/caribsea/itempage_marine_substrates_ocean%20direct.html

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Larry06 http:///t/397218/question-about-new-setup#post_3539720
Thanks for your help, I went with this sand (the original kind).http://www.caribsea.com/caribsea/itempage_marine_substrates_ocean%20direct.html

LOL...It advertisement. Don't fall for all the hype, it's just bacteria loaded sand, and it's just fine to use...but it isn't any better then any other bacteria loaded sand. Like I said, you're on the right track.

 

[larry06]

Ok cool. I do need another 20 pounds of sand do you recommend any other type to mix with what I already have?

 

[geridoc]

Ok cool. I do need another 20 pounds of sand do you recommend any other type to mix with what I already have?
You really only need sand to the extent that it looks good to you design wise. Many people use no substrate at all. I personally like a thick bed, your choice.

 

[larry06]

You really only need sand to the extent that it looks good to you design wise. Many people use no substrate at all. I personally like a thick bed, your choice.
Yea I also like a thick sand base, I plan to get another 40 pound bag when my store gets more in.

 

[flower]

Hi,

I was always told that after 2 inches, toxins can get built up because the CUC critters don't move the sand deeper then about that. LOL...I have learned so much about what I was always told being a myth...so I'm kind of asking if that's correct or not.

 

[jay0705]

Its the general rule not to stir up the sand bc of toxins in it rt? Now what about sand sifting gobies? Lol I know thats what they do so is this good or bad? Lol iam guessing its a good thing due to them areating the sand bed, and the fact w the amount of sand mine moves he hasnt killed anything yet lol

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by jay0705 http:///t/397218/question-about-new-setup#post_3539995
Its the general rule not to stir up the sand bc of toxins in it rt? Now what about sand sifting gobies? Lol I know thats what they do so is this good or bad? Lol iam guessing its a good thing due to them areating the sand bed, and the fact w the amount of sand mine moves he hasnt killed anything yet lol

That's kind of the point...a sandsifting goby only goes down about 2 inches to sift...keeping the sand moved and sifted prevents the toxins from building up...nassarius snails, sandsifting critters, even the worms only go down about 2 inches.

The downfall of sandsifters (stars, gobies and such) is that they fed on the fauna out of the sand, so they are not really "good" for the system, because they deplete it.

 

[jay0705]

Idk bout that. I have a fairly deep bed depending on what area of the tank and that sucker excavates almost to the glass in certain spots. Now this is under the lr so he is making various homes iam guessing so this may differ from his normal sifting. When generally sifting he does seem to only skim the top layers of sand. Not saying your wrong. I was just amazed how much that guy moves lol