very new to the marine, trying to set up my tank

[aceheart]

i have a 75 gal tank, was told that i should get a cascade 1500 and a decent skimmer. was told thats all i would need for filtration. im looking at a TURBO Protein Skimmer, it states that it is good up to 150 gallons. was wondering how good these are and if there is any other type of equipment i will need to get started.
i have had this tank for over a year just sitting there, all i have done so far is cleaned the dust out of it lol. any and all help is greatly appreciated on this. especially since all i have do with awuariums is fresh water in my 55 gallon tanks. thank you all for the help in advance

 

[joker_ca]

i would get a sump/refugium for filtration add live sand & live rock which helps out the filtration in your tank. try to get a 3in bed of sand and around 1.5lbs of live rock per gallon, a good skimmer is a aqua c remora, percision marine, reef devil. a couple of power heads to circulate the water in your tank is good to eliminate any dead spots maxi jet is a good brand, i use 3 aqua clear 402s in my 80g hope this helps u but its just general info
good luck and welcome to the boards:yes: :happyfish

 

[thegrog]

I agree with joker_ca
But setting up a full saltwater system can get costly. If you don't want/can't afford the refugium or sump option, then definately go with a quality skimmer. IMO the AquaC line is the best (and not even the most expensive) on the market for HOT skimmers. I would go with the REmora Pro with a Mag Drive 3 pump option. You can later add a CPR hang-on-tank refugium.
The main key is BE PATIENT!!! Learn about cycling, what to put in and what not to put in, and plan ahead! After you buy a creature (fish, coral, invert, whatever) is TOO LATE to learn about it.
Good luck and welcome to the boards!

 

[aceheart]

thank you for responding, i have been looking at salt water fish for a long time and wanting to set up the aquarium for it.and it is expensive. so far im trying to save some moeny up to buy the cascade 1500 and the turbo protein skimmer to have that equipment.
im planing on get live sand and looking for a live rock i can actually afford. since im mainly doing a fish only to start with until i get used to it.
i have heard about cycles somewhat, but dont know exactly what fish to put in for the first cycle of my tank when i do get it started.
how many pounds of live sand is recommended for a 75 gallon tank? and what is good starter fish/inverts i can start off with and they do well in a new tank?

 

[joker_ca]

i have 120lbs of LS which is roughtly 3in, deep also dont use any damsels to cycle your tank, use raw table shrimp to cycle your tank

 

[thegrog]

If you go with the live sand, you can put some live rock in there (uncured) and use that to cycle the tank. Monitor the ammonia and nitrite (not nitrAte) levels. When they go to zero (days to weeks), you can add your first fish. Go with a hardy fish (damsels, clowns) and then closely monitor the ammonia and nitrite levels. There should be a very small spike and then back to zero. After you add the fish, do 10% water changes weekly.
IMO, a piece of shrimp in the tank is not the best way to go. Most would add too much and it will take too long to break down. Also, if you don't have a good bacteria population in the sand, it will take even longer.

 

[aceheart]

where can i find uncured live rocks at? and 120lbs of live sand sounds expensive lol.
and do you know what the rough cost of uncured live rocks are?

 

[thegrog]

Originally posted by aceheart
where can i find uncured live rocks at? and 120lbs of live sand sounds expensive lol.
and do you know what the rough cost of uncured live rocks are?
Posting of sources/stores is against board rules. There are a number of online stores that will sell you live rock. ANY live rock that you get through mailorder WILL BE UNCURED.....no matter what they say about it!!!! It may be partially cured, but this is not cured. Either one will do (partially cured or uncured).
Buying 120# of live rock will cost you around $3.50-$4 per pound with shipping. Expensive....yes. Worth it.....most definately!!
You could start out with less than 120# (like 50# or so) and add rock as you go. Just be sure to cure it seperately from your tank (easy to do) before putting it in.
If you want specific sources for live rock, email me and I will give you a few (note I do NOT make commission on any of this ) thejediray@aol.com
Good luck