Set-Up Questions

[paulshaw23]

Hi All,
This is my first post on this site, and I consider myself a newbie. I have a had a few Freshwater Tanks, and then decided to convert one of them to a Saltwater tank. Without knowing any better I converted my 20-Gallon high tank into a Saltwater Tank, with a Lionfish, Niger Trigger, Tang, Puffer, and a few smaller varieties like clowns. Needless to say I had an interesting display of territorialism and aggression, and many of the smaller fish being eaten. Remarkebly i had this awkward set-up running smoothly besides the odd small fish being eaten for about 15 months.
I now know better and want to begin again the RIGHT way with a 72-90 Gallon Bow front tank. I would like to have a mix tank of Agressive Fish (Lion, Trigger, Angel, and Puffer) and possibly a couple smaller fishes (blennies,goby's) I will do about 3 inches deep Live Sand, and some Live Rock. I do not want to have a Reef tank because I would rather have larger fish and I am scared of the increased maintenance and do not want the added costs of high wattage bulbs for reefs, but I would like to add maybe a anenome or a couple invertebrates if this is possible without spending a lot on bulbs and treatments. What suggestions does anyone have to make this set-up work in a 72-bow front?
Also I will be putting this tank in a rented apt. and would like any info. anyone has of the approx. electrical utility increases?
Thanks for any help you can offer !

 

[arkey.d]

Welcome to the site PaulShaw23.
If you want to keep an anenome you would need better lighting than the regular flourecents and the tank needs to be 6 months mature..

 

[dmc888]

Try to get a good filter. Get a filter that is meant for a larger tank. Say a 125 or 150 gallon tank. I have a 125 wet dry on my 55 and i am very happy with it. The added water volume helps. I think you would need great filtration to house those large fish. I would have atleast 1-2 powerheads too. You would need more than 60lbs of live sand to make 3 inches. I have 2inches with 40lbs in my 55. . Definitely buy supplies online. The lfstores are ridiculos how much they charge for filters,skimmers, powerheads. Usually double or more.

 

[paulshaw23]

Thanks for the input guys. The guy at the LFS said it would be a good idea to go with the Bio-Ball Method? With the tank i'm planning to purchase it comes pre-drilled and i guess that would be located in the stand with the sump and skimmer? Is the bio-balls necessary with a filter or would that act as THE filter?

 

[dmc888]

Bio balls are used for biological fitration. They keep bacteria that help aid the cycle. 3 types of filtration. Mechanical which is media that catches debris, biological is any inert material that houses beneficial bacteria, and chemical media that removes impurities such as chlorine and copper. Carbon is a chem media. All three are recommended. Most wet dry filters have mech and bio balls, just need to add the chemical . Their nice you can clean the filters pretty easily.
My wet dry process goes thru prefilter first, then filter w/ bag of carbon on top, bioballs, big sponge then is sent back thru a return pump. I wouldn't get a filter that doesn't have biological media. Even my 29 has biowheels which act the same as bio balls.
Make sure the filter fits in the stand ok.

 

[paulshaw23]

Thanks alot for your help DMC888
Is there any particular brand or model that u recommend for a triple method wet/dry filter that you speak of? And what did you mean when you say first it goes thru your "prefilter"? Some people say that instead of using the bio-BALLS they substitute live rocks in the filter because of their natural bio activity and you have to clean the plastic balls periodically? Sorry for all of the questions, but when I had my previous 20 Gallon SW Tank i just used hang-on Penguin filter with a Bio-Wheel and Carbon-Bag. All of this Wet/Dry, Sump, in cabinet-filter stuff is confusing. Im a quick learner, there is just so much contradicting info. on the board about which system works. :notsure: Hehe