Some questions as I start out

[steelermike]

I have a 125 that has not been used in 6 years. I have filled it with water just to test the seals and the filters that were on it and no leaks, so good start I plan on doing FOWLR. I currently have an eheim 2217 and a fluval 303 that I used to have on my 55. I also ordered an emperor 400 bio wheel. My question is if I use live sand and slowly add live rock, will this be enough filtration to sustain the tank? I also have 2 powerheads for circulation. My eventual plan will be to build a sump, but wondering if I can start out with this equipment and slowly upgrade to a sump, better lights etc. Right now I just have the traditional flourescent lights. Any help would be great.

 

[smallreef]

well,, you dont want to slowly add live rock...
you do want to add live sand and live rock all at once and let it cycle.. it will not necessarily be enough biological filtration but that really depends on your stocking levels and what fish you add...
with the canisters and wheel you should be ine for a little while as long as you dont stock to heavily..
Big question is what are you putting in there? and is it going to be so much that you may also need a skimmer????
You would be much better off to go ahead and add the sump now while nothing is in it so its easier.. you can drill the back and add an overflow now and just get a 40g tank for a sump (off of the ''list' or larger)
reg. flourescent lights are fine for fish only ... though you may need new bulbs if its been sitting for 6 years?

 

[snakeblitz33]

As a new hobbyist, here is a good start:
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/388776/snakes-methods
Specifically:
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/390214/snakes-111-tips-and-tricks-for-new-hobbyists
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/390119/snakes-method-for-evaluating-a-used-aquarium
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/390121/snakes-poor-mans-fowlr
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/390122/snakes-method-of-lighting#post_3452980
If you have any questions after reading all of this - shoot me a PM or e-mail. I'm always around.

 

[steelermike]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/390249/some-questions-as-i-start-out#post_3454759
As a new hobbyist, here is a good start:
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/388776/snakes-methods
Specifically:
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/390214/snakes-111-tips-and-tricks-for-new-hobbyists
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/390119/snakes-method-for-evaluating-a-used-aquarium
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/390121/snakes-poor-mans-fowlr
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/390122/snakes-method-of-lighting#post_3452980
If you have any questions after reading all of this - shoot me a PM or e-mail. I'm always around.
Thanks Seth, I will definitely read these and then ask soem questions

 

[flower]

to the site!

 

[steelermike]

Quote:
Originally Posted by smallreef http:///t/390249/some-questions-as-i-start-out#post_3454752
well,, you dont want to slowly add live rock...
you do want to add live sand and live rock all at once and let it cycle.. it will not necessarily be enough biological filtration but that really depends on your stocking levels and what fish you add...
with the canisters and wheel you should be ine for a little while as long as you dont stock to heavily..
Big question is what are you putting in there? and is it going to be so much that you may also need a skimmer????
You would be much better off to go ahead and add the sump now while nothing is in it so its easier.. you can drill the back and add an overflow now and just get a 40g tank for a sump (off of the ''list' or larger)
reg. flourescent lights are fine for fish only ... though you may need new bulbs if its been sitting for 6 years?
I'm not sure if I will need a protein skimmer. I would like to have the following fish:
an angel (possibly queen or annularis)
a clown
powder brown tang
yellow eye tang (I'm thinking this is OK because it has a different body type than the power brown?)
snowflake eel (not sure if this is OK)
possibly a dwarf angel
a goby or 2

 

[snakeblitz33]

Keep the eel well fed.
I believe a skimmer is an absolute necessity on a FOWLR of your size. Smaller tanks are easier to do larger water changes on. A protein skimmer on that size of a tank would reduce nitrates and phosphates enough to prevent major algae blooms and keep your fish healthy. Unless you just have a desire to do large water changes often. A skimmer is a great long term investment.

 

[steelermike]

OK..So I have been reading alot. Great articles Seth Very helpful. I do have a few questions though. I went to my LFS and the owner was very helpful. He actually recomended against the bio wheel. He said I don't need it if I get enough live rock and that it will make a mess of my wall. So I'm a bit bummed as I already ordered the bio whell and now I guess I won't use it. Any opionions on that?
Also he recomended that I buy a Remora hang on protein skimmer. I told him I had read that the hob ones weren't as good and he agreed, but thinks that this particular type is very good and kind of breaks that rule. Would you guys agree with that?
Thanks in advance for your replies.

 

[snakeblitz33]

I have had bio wheels on my tanks for 15 years without problems. Salt for six. Never ran into creep issues with the top on it. Sounds to me like he wants you to buy a lot of live rock. That's where a Lfs makes a lot of their money. Live rock is good, but not as much is needed as you may think.
A remora is a good hob slimmer. I've never used one, but I've seen great reviews.

 

[mr. limpid]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SteelerMike http:///t/390249/some-questions-as-i-start-out#post_3454903
I'm not sure if I will need a protein skimmer. I would like to have the following fish:
an angel (possibly queen or annularis) 125 is to small for these angels require 200+ tank, these are very large angels.
a clown ok, just don't try to add another on later
powder brown tang add this tang after yellow eye
yellow eye tang (I'm thinking this is OK because it has a different body type than the power brown?) Nice peacfull tank, requires alot of rocks to graze on.
snowflake eel (not sure if this is OK) never owned an eel nor researched them
possibly a dwarf angel this type angle is better suited
a goby or 2 ok, eel may try to eat
I have used bio-wheels for years, just keep wheel moving and don't let algae grow on it to stop wheel from rotating.
I owned the remora skimmer it never work good for me, I would look into others like the Reef Octopus BH-2000 (this is the one I'm getting).

 

[snakeblitz33]

Octopus is an amazingly awesome brand of skimmer. It's quality built and will last. They use very good pumps. If yah got the money, go for it.

 

[steelermike]

yeah he wants me to start out with 125 lbs of LR. I realize this is ideal, but maybe I could get away with 50-75 lbs abd the bio wheel?

 

[steelermike]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Limpid http:///t/390249/some-questions-as-i-start-out#post_3456123
I have used bio-wheels for years, just keep wheel moving and don't let algae grow on it to stop wheel from rotating.
I owned the remora skimmer it never work good for me, I would look into others like the Reef Octopus BH-2000 (this is the one I'm getting).
Thanks for the reply and the detailed response regarding the fish. I will definitely look into the reef octopus. It seems like it's close to the same price, maybe even a bit cheaper,

 

[smallreef]

personally id go with around 100lbs or so..
i think 125 would be awesome but it depends on how much you really want in the tank, you can also look into dry rock if your worried about price.
Ideally the more rock the more "biological filtration" with that being said i dont think 25lbs will make a huge difference, though personally i think more than that could...( i have absolutely no scientific data to back that up...)
I guess in the end it just depends on what you want and how much work you want to put into it...

 

[snakeblitz33]

I have my own theories on the total amount of live rock needed. as long as there is sufficient biodiversity on the rock selected then a relatively small amount can be added. Check out some of the bonsai inspired aquascapes. As long as there is enough surface area for bacteria to culture on then not much is needed. Base rock is a good way to increase total surface area.

 

[mr. limpid]

Right now SWF has a great deal on LR $180 for 45lbs works out to be $4 a pound with free shipping. That is half the price by me and the rock here in Chicago looks like base rock, but they sell as it not.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Limpid http:///t/390249/some-questions-as-i-start-out#post_3456378
Right now SWF has a great deal on LR $180 for 45lbs works out to be $4 a pound with free shipping. That is half the price by me and the rock here in Chicago looks like base rock, but they sell as it not.
Maybe it's just me, but I hand picked every rock in my tank. I wanted certain sizes, ledges and deep crevices and all the purple I could find. With the SH tank I wanted the branch rock so it would be tall. It is cheaper to order online from SWF....but you get whatever you get.

 

[mr. limpid]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///t/390249/some-questions-as-i-start-out#post_3456381
Maybe it's just me, but I hand picked every rock in my tank. I wanted certain sizes, ledges and deep crevices and all the purple I could find. With the SH tank I wanted the branch rock so it would be tall. It is cheaper to order online from SWF....but you get whatever you get.
I thought you didn't have a good LFS by you? If you do maybe I'll head south to buy LR. Like I said the shops by me it all looks like base rock, no coraline luck if there are pods on it. Some times I think they a tank in back with LR they add some dry rock to it let seed for a couple of months then sell it as LR.

 

[snakeblitz33]

The place I got my live rock from ... I paid $140 for 40 pounds with free shipping. Plenty of coralline starters and organisms.
Doesn't matter how much coralline you have on your rocks initially if you can't get it to grow in your tank. lol

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Limpid http:///t/390249/some-questions-as-i-start-out#post_3456386
I thought you didn't have a good LFS by you? If you do maybe I'll head south to buy LR. Like I said the shops by me it all looks like base rock, no coraline luck if there are pods on it. Some times I think they a tank in back with LR they add some dry rock to it let seed for a couple of months then sell it as LR.
Meowzer lives in the sticks...I have plenty of LFS around me...I order online because I want certain equipment and certain brands. I don't like the fish and coral selection either. They have no guarantees and the kids running the stores know very little. However when it comes to rock, I know what I'm looking for. I didn't get all my rock from the cycling tubs...I would spot a nice chunk of blue rock in one of the other tanks with fish, and purchase that.