Starting a 150g SW tank, just wanted to introduce myself.

conodor

conodor

New Member
I moved recently and figured what better time to take my 150 gallon tank and make the switch from FW over to SW. So i moved the beast this weekend. I put it in my finished basement, after 3 days of letting my recover.haha i think i'm about ready to start my process!
I traded some monsters in i had 2-14" spotted alligator gar pike's and about a 10" tiger oscar. they were great hardy fish but to aggressive. i couldn't put anything in the tank. Even a placastumus(sp? algae eater) they eventually eat that guy!
Anyway, i've been reading like crazy and getting ready to do the set up! i'm gonna do a fish only maybe some live rock(i think that's refered to as FOWLR) the local shop got me going with all the basic equipment, but i still have a few questions. as of now just 1 main one...
I plan to "cure" some live rock in during my set up process, i've read it's a good thing to start with some live rock. it says i need to have my jet's blow directly on the rock for water movement. Do i just let them hang and direct them towards the rock? i can't seem to find any pictures of this process.
Thanks for the help and back to my research.
 
conodor

conodor

New Member
Thanks! i'm going through the 101 tips now. and i'll just keep reading. so far everything i thought i knew... was wrong.haha
 
9supratt4

9supratt4

Active Member
Welcome to SWF!! I'm not sure about the answer to your questions, but if I can give you one piece of advice......Take your time!!! Don't rush with anything!!!
 
conodor

conodor

New Member
Thanks for the tip. the tanks empty and i'm going to read a ton before i make any descisons. i over research things. that's just my OCD kicking in.haha
i want a fish and live rock tank but i don't have the funds to buy 150+ pounds of live rock right now.haha
 
smokingreefer

smokingreefer

Member
What type of powerhead's do you have? You'll need quite a bit of water movement in a 150. Are you planning on a skimmer? If not, than you should, especially if you are going to keep a FOWLR because fish produce a lot of waste. It's a good time to purchase all the rock you want to put in your tank because it can cure along with the tank's cycle. I would suggest getting a pound per gallon; however, that is going to be pretty pricey. If you don't plan on using a sump you'll need it because it serves as great biological filtration. What did the LFS sell you? Sometimes they try to make money rather than help you out.
 
rushprop

rushprop

Member
Originally Posted by smokingreefer
http:///forum/post/2697312
What did the LFS sell you? Sometimes they try to make money rather than help you out.
Sadly this couldnt be more true. read and read and that way when you go to the LFS you will know who is trying to rip you off and who is trying to help out someone in the hobby. Sometimes I will just start talking about something crazy and see if they go along, when they do I know they are full of it. Good luck. keep us posted on your progress.
 
mr_x

mr_x

Active Member
buy a couple koralia 4's for starters. i guess you could aim them directly at the rock to help detrius from accumilating on the surface, but i don't think it's mandatory. general flow throughout the tank is important though. try not to have many/any dead spots.
and yes, a good protein skimmer that is rated for a much larger tank is what you should look for.
 
conodor

conodor

New Member
I had the tank and most of the items to get me going. from the LFS i purchased salt, crushed coral for my substrate a hydrometer(i think it was) and since i had a UGF 2 more pumps.
(again 150 gallon)
So now i have 4 pumps, i think one's dead though.
2(new) Maxi-Jet 1200
2(old and i think 1's doa) PowerHead 402
i have an UGF and a hang behind filter (AquaClear 500 Power Filter #A-620)
http://www.petguys.com/-015561106200.html
According to the goal of about 20 times tank gallons that's 3,000 an hour. i would have
1.) Hang filter about 500 gallons per hour
2.) 2 1200 jet's at 1600 gallons per hour each
3.) 1 powerhead 402 at 225 gallons per hour
for a total of 3950 per hour right off the start. before i look into a w/d or skimmer add on.
i plan to put in some live rock to also help with the filter. i'm looking into building a w/d if needed. the stand would hide that under it.
Hows this sound for a start? Just finished reading the 101 tips, still reading the thread for any updates. I'll read more before i even start to put the water in. So far the w/d and protein skimmer have my intrests on what i need. I'll read more before i start with the questions on that.
thanks again!
 
mr_x

mr_x

Active Member
the mj's are 295 gph, not 1600, unless of course you were going to mod them.
the crushed coral is not an awesome choice for substrate due to the fact that detrius tends to build up in it.
a sugar sized sand is a much better choice.
 
conodor

conodor

New Member
Originally Posted by Mr_X
http:///forum/post/2697736
the mj's are 295 gph, not 1600, unless of course you were going to mod them.
the crushed coral is not an awesome choice for substrate due to the fact that detrius tends to build up in it.
a sugar sized sand is a much better choice.
humm after another google i see you are right. another site said 1600 per hour, must have been something else.
*UPDATED*
According to the goal of about 20 times tank gallons that's 3,000 an hour. i would have
1.) Hang filter about 500 gallons per hour
2.) 2 1200 jet's at 295 gallons per hour each
3.) 1 powerhead 402 at 225 gallons per hour
1315 gallons per hour, so a w/d seems to be pushed high on my list now, Time to read up on what pump i would need to move 1700+ gallons per hour!
I thought about the sand, i'm in a toss up right now, i didn't open the crushed coral yet. i was thinking about maybe since the tank is so long, maybe 1/2 and 1/2... to mix it up... just a thought, i didnt' check into pro's cons on the substrates yet.
Just read about the refractor, gonna put it on my list. thanks!
 
teresaq

teresaq

Active Member
Hi and welcome.
May i also suggest, loose the under gravel filter. they are for freshwater, not salt. I would not mix the sand and CC, the crushed Coral will always make its way to the top. I would buy dry sand and just seed it with a little live. You can buy dry on line for about 30 bucks for 40 lbs. (google - seaflor special grade reef sand)
 
conodor

conodor

New Member
Originally Posted by TeresaQ
http:///forum/post/2697819
Hi and welcome.
May i also suggest, loose the under gravel filter. they are for freshwater, not salt. I would not mix the sand and CC, the crushed Coral will always make its way to the top. I would buy dry sand and just seed it with a little live. You can buy dry on line for about 30 bucks for 40 lbs. (google - seaflor special grade reef sand)
I figured i would use the UGF until i get my w/d system added on. i have it, it costs no extra right now. since i already have it. If i were to ditch that all together. and run a w/d under tank with a strong pump, what size pump would i need for a 150 gallon tank?
thanks everyone for the fast answers. still reading away before i open anything up to make sure i don't

[hr]
up off the start.
 
robdog696

robdog696

Member
I agree with Mr X. He's a very reliable source of information, and he won't steer you wrong. Also, I would consider using a sump design instead of a hang on the back filter. For about $100 you could set up a sump. You would need the following:
-A small tank (10 gallons)
-A small return pump (Mag 7)
-Hang on back overflow (@ $40 brand new)
-Plumbing (pvc or rubber tubing) from the overflow to the 10 gallon tank and from the return pump back to the display tank. Use a check valve on the return line to prevent flooding during a power outage.
You can do it much simpler than this, but here is an instructional video on how to make a sump. I don't use the baffles. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxnugJGiT3o
A sump will not only give you more options on what type of dry filtration you use (filter socks, filter pad in overflow, canister, etc) but it will also help by giving added flow in your display and give you a place to neatly hide things like your skimmer, heater, and all the neat toys you will waste money on the more you get into this hobby. Finally, it gives you a place to put more natural filtration like live rock rubble, bio-balls, or even a refugium. The possibilities are endless.
As for curing your liverock, I would get a rubbermaid container or trash can and cure it there. You will have to change 100% of the water a couple of times until there is no smell. In the meantime you could add your sand and saltwater to the display tank and let it start the cycle. To kick start the cycle you will need one piece of cured liverock (in my opinion). Waiting sucks, so this is what I would do to kill two birds at once.
Good luck! Welcome to the forums! I hope we can help you to be as successful at saltwater as you were at freshwater!
 
robdog696

robdog696

Member
Originally Posted by Conodor
http:///forum/post/2697827
I figured i would use the UGF until i get my w/d system added on. i have it, it costs no extra right now. since i already have it. If i were to ditch that all together. and run a w/d under tank with a strong pump, what size pump would i need for a 150 gallon tank?
thanks everyone for the fast answers. still reading away before i open anything up to make sure i don't

[hr]
up off the start.
I bought my sump used from this sites classified section for $40. It costs close to $300 brand new. This is a picture of it.
http://www.pro-clear.com/Instruction...%201-28-05.pdf
It is rated for 1600 gph. I use a bigger pump than that, but a Mag 18 or Mag 12 is a good size pump for a 150. I would stay away from Quietone pumps. They are anything but quiet. Mag-drive by Danner Pro is the industry standard. There are better. But for the price and the availability used (again, check the classifieds) you can't beat the value.
 
conodor

conodor

New Member
Originally Posted by Robdog696
http:///forum/post/2697832
-A small tank (10 gallons)
-A small return pump (Mag 7)
-Hang on back overflow (@ $40 brand new)
-Plumbing (pvc or rubber tubing) from the overflow to the 10 gallon tank and from the return pump back to the display tank. Use a check valve on the return line to prevent flooding during a power outage.
)
Thanks a ton... this will help me along! I have a 40 gallon tank that would fit no problem under my tank in the cabinette. would that be overkill or better than using only a 10 gallon? i think i even have one of those laying around.
i was thinking of partioning it off so i could have some bio balls, heater, skimmer and all that stuff in the 40 gallon below the tank. researchign all of that, i guess the 2 questions on that is.
1.) would that size be overkill or helpfull
2.) will that mag 7 pump be enough to give me enough movement?
ok i'm off to bed more reading tomorrow! thanks again everyone!
 
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