Confused about conversion

[4DDM]

Hi all, I have decided to convert my FW tank to Marine. I have also decided that I want to build a sump into one of the cabinets bellow my tank and try and install return pump, electrics, skimmer, UV filter in the other.

I cannot work out if I need to provide additional biological filtration for the main tank. It is a 210l and I am planning a FOWLR to begin with moving to a reef with corals after several months.

I have read that I need to provide so much livel rock per litre but have read that this can take up a lot of tank swimming space, but also read this amount can be cut down and additional biological media provided in the sump, either live rock or bio balls etc. What is recomended for a first timer? I also read that skimmers are recomended for newbs but have also read that mud is pretty user friendly.

I guess space is my enemy, I have 2 medium sized cuboards bellow my tank and would be better off with one large one. I am planning on doing this once I have moved into a house with more space so there is the chance of locating the sump elsewhere but unlikely. At the moment I will plan around what I have.

Any input is really appreciated.

Thanks,
Adam

 

[Opcn]

If I were you i would wait untill the move, two cabinets cant provide the support a 200 needs, your lible to crack it

 

[4DDM]

Sorry Opcn, I think you are getting me confused. I mean the tank stand has two seperate cupoards, but is deisgned to support the tank. Please take a look at this picture, it is exactly like my tank and stand.

Hope this clears things up.

Thanks,
Adam

 

[Opcn]

My bad, Get enought LR in there and biological filtration and your set.

 

[Navarre]

My advise is to NEVER skimp on filtration. Never reduce the liverock purely because you can put an alternative filter in a sump etc. The liverock is the mai nfilter for the tank and does the most workload. If you have a sump then Mud systems are an excellant way of supporting the liverock but IMO it should not replace it.

For a 210ltr tank you will need a minimum of 23kilos of liverock

 

[Ed4567]

Just to add that to gain full benefit from your live rock, it is worth ensuring you have reasonable circulation around and in it it. IMO it is better to have a little less rock in an open formation than more rock in a great big wall which has less surface area for filtration and more dead zones.

Obviously you still need plenty of live rock.
Ed

 

[4DDM]

Thanks for the really usefull feedback everyone.

I am goign to go with at least 25Kg of LR and believe me the circulation will be excellent! I am looking at 6000lph return pump which given the head height will be more like 4000. Depending on the design of the sump and attached hardware this may be used to pump through a UV, skimmer, mud bed, wet dry, who knows. Turnover should still be ample.

I am also going to used power heads but have them draw their water through pipe under the substrate from a differnt area of the tank. Any suggestions on power heads and size? I have 2 Aquaclear 201's for my FW setup, will these be of any use or do I need bigger? Maybe combine 1 or both with another 1 or 2 slightly larger models.

I just need to figure out my filter configeration.

Thanks again,
Adam