Converting Tropical To Marine

[dannywrc]

Hi all. Im currently buying bits as i go along ready for converting my juwel rio 125 to marine. after looking at lighting im not sure what to do.

the tank has t8 tubes fitted which im told wont be any good for keeping corals. is this true? as the replacement t5 light units are so expensive i was thinking about changing the ballast and end caps on the t8 unit. not sure where to get the end caps from though so any pointers would be appreciated thats if i do need to change them.

could i keep the t8 units and fit a single t5 unit to boost lighting?


Im also unsure about filtration. do i completely remove the internal filter in the corner and rely on live rock or leave it in and fill it with live rock rubble?

any advice greatly appeciated, thanks, danny

 

[seffieuk]

Hi all. Im currently buying bits as i go along ready for converting my juwel rio 125 to marine. after looking at lighting im not sure what to do.

Danny to the salty side of TFF. The 125 is a great tank to start your marine adventure in

the tank has t8 tubes fitted which im told wont be any good for keeping corals. is this true?
No, not true, many softies can be kept under t8 plus sun corals and a few others

as the replacement t5 light units are so expensive i was thinking about changing the ballast and end caps on the t8 unit. not sure where to get the end caps from though so any pointers would be appreciated thats if i do need to change them.

Take a look at Bollands journel - the last video shows his lighting set-up and the ballasts you can sometimes pick up a second hand ibar for the 125 but to be honest it is probably better just to replace the ballasts

could i keep the t8 units and fit a single t5 unit to boost lighting?

You could indeed: then you could probably keep some euphyllias as well


Im also unsure about filtration. do i completely remove the internal filter in the corner and rely on live rock or leave it in and fill it with live rock rubble?

You can use the internal to keep your heater and slot a skimmer in, however, if it were me I would remove it (I did in my rio 400) - as it tends to get a crud build-up which is not good Take a look at Harry's journel - he started his tank from scratch and its the rio 125, so would be a good read for you

Fitration is proformed by your live rock



any advice greatly appeciated, thanks, danny

Seffie x

ps dont forget to start a journel and take loads of photos on the way - we love watching a tank come together

 

[dannywrc]

thanks for the advice seffie. iv found an arcadia ultraseal t5 lead that im going to fit to the tank with a 24w ballast and just use the t8 light unit with marine tubes.

iv had a look at bollands jounal and thats a bit more upscale than ill be doing. dont really want to modify the tank.

can you just run the tank without a sump or filter and just rely on the live rock?

how much rock will i need for my tank?

ill be taking pics when i start too so you can see the progress

 

[seffieuk]

thanks for the advice seffie. iv found an arcadia ultraseal t5 lead that im going to fit to the tank with a 24w ballast and just use the t8 light unit with marine tubes.

iv had a look at bollands jounal and thats a bit more upscale than ill be doing. dont really want to modify the tank.

The ballasts are fairly cheap and are similar to the one you have bought

can you just run the tank without a sump or filter and just rely on the live rock?

The live rock is the heart and lungs of the tank - so yes to your question, you can run a tank without a sump, I do and the filter is the rock

how much rock will i need for my tank?

Approx 14 k - have a look around for a reefer breaking down a tank - you can then pick it up for approx £5 a k

ill be taking pics when i start too so you can see the progress

Thats what i like to hear, there will be many people watching and following your progress, not all comment

Seffie x