Sandman Filter

[italmom]

I'm new to reef tanks (had freshwater for about 3 years) and I've got about a trillion questions My first of many is, does anyone have any experience with using a Sandman Fluidized Filter? I'm in the planning stages of setting up a 55gal reef. I was thinking a Sandman, 2 powerheads, skimmer, live rock & live sand? Would this work or is the Sandman overkill? This seems like a great board, glad I found it.

 

[broomer5]

Italmom
Only experience I have with the Sandman filters is a cheap little 10 gallon tank I got from Odd Lots - it had a Sandman filter in the kit. I kept the filter, never used it, just tossed it in the closet. What I did notice was the small bag of sand that was in the box, appeared to be regular quartz sand - which may contain silicates - and I decided to toss the sand entirely.
Quartz-Silicate based sand is not good at all for saltwater tanks. It along with nitrates will cause a golden-brown algae ( diatoms ) outbreak, and you'll get this light brown film over your substrate and glass of your tank. Although most of the time the silicates enter the tank from unpure water ( tap ) I would hesitate on using this type of sand in any component of my tank.
Maybe someone else has used this filter, and could tell you a little more ??
Skimmer, powerheads, LR and LS all are GREAT for your proposed reef.
Keep the questions coming and welcome to the board !!
Brian

 

[italmom]

So if I just use powerheads, LR, LS and a skimmer and I set or do I need another filter (for carbon, etc?) It seems everything I read contradicts everything else! I know I need about 1 - 1/5 lbs LR per gallon but what about LS? And is there any other equipment that's a "Must Have"???? You said to keep the questions coming Thanks!

 

[saltwatersensae]

Italmom are you sure you can handle a reef? I had freshwater before I had saltwater and when I made the swicth it was a whole different game and I only switched to a fish only only reason I brought this up is because I know of some people that went straite to reef and got really discourged just because it is alot harder than a freshwater tank.

 

[italmom]

I think I'm ready!? I've had alot of luck keeping freshwater tanks, I've done the planted tanks, done an African Cichlid tank and I've ALWAYS wanted a saltwater. Would you recommend my starting with just a fish-only? You can convert the fish-only to a reef at a later date, right? As long as your fish are reef safe. If I decided on a fish-only then I'd need an external filter for sure, any one better then the other for fish-only? This is why I figured I'd ask the experts before I jumped in head first! Thanks again.

 

[sonny]

Get a good book and start reading! I don't advise a sand filter in a reef, because it will be a nitrate producer. The live rock and sand IS your filter. You might want to have a way to have some mechanical filtration, like floss you could replace every 3-7 days. Don't leave it in long because it too will become a nitrate producer. Get a good protein skimmer and the live rock/sand, and you'll be in the best shape. Good luck.
Sonny

 

[broomer5]

Tell ya what ... personally I look at a reef tank as just a saltwater tank with a ton of live rock, a deep 3-4 inch aragonite sand bed, a good protein skimmer, decent lighting, and corals / fish. That's it !
I would not fear it at all ... matter of fact the fewer fish, the less load on your filtration system. You don't have to go FULL BLOWN reef right away either.
Say you tried this;
Set up your tank initially with deep sand bed and 20 to 30 pounds live rock. Let it cycle with a couple raw shrimp. After a month or so you will be anxious to add some critters - that's cool .... add a good clean-up crew. Wait another few weeks and maybe add 1 fish. Wait some more.
Depending on your budget, you will want to get good lighting if you want corals, but you don't need to go all out right away.
The key is having patience and not overstocking it with fish. Hard to do but a MUST in reef/salt tanks.
Go easy, plan your tank from the beginning.
What do you want to end up with, how much time and money are you willing to spend, etc.
Converting from a FO to a FOWLR or to a full reef tank can be done. But I would suggest if anything ... go with deep sand bed from the start.
Aragonite sand is best in my opinion.
A Whisper or other power filter would be okay if you want to add some circulation aside from the powerheads, and good way to run carbon too.
Fear not the reef tank ... if you want to do it ... get a couple of books first, and read up on what you are getting into first
Brian

 

[italmom]

Thanks Sonny & Broomer5! I got discouraged for a second there I really want to go with a reef tank. I've read SO many books my husband thinks I'm losing it. The plan you suggested Broomer5 is basically what my original plan was, I guess I needed someone to tell me I actually knew what I was talking about. Thanks for the words of confidence! I think I will add a Whisper filter and I'll definetly go with the aragonite sand. Seems to be the top recommendation. If I've learned nothing else keeping fish it's that patience is the most important thing. Thanks again. I'm sure I'll have more questions

 

[broomer5]

Sounds good !
By the way ... 20-30 pounds of LR was just a suggestion to get ya started.
If you want to add more down the road, do so slowly and make sure it's already cured when you get it. Your 1 to 1-1/2 lbs per gallon seems to be standard advise I've seen too.
Good luck and have a blast !!!
You're gunna love it