Going Marine?

[Haych]

i know this has been asked a DOZEN of times, but i did not want to poach someone elses thread.

my other half is thinking of nicking my rio 180l (which means i need a new betta tank) for marine.

now, i have ALWAYS wanted a couple of clown fish, and know you can go marine without the corals, just a couple of questions.

i was told (a couple of years ago) to go marine, all i would need is a protein skimmer as i had the tank and external filter.

now, i know i can use the external with a lump of live rock in as the filter (as well as in the tank), change lighting etc.

my questions is this, can i get away WITHOUT having powerheads as the external filter could be the water movement?

just a couple of thoughts, as we dont know whether to go marine or me keep my betta tank

any help appreciated

 

[Morri]

I am not sure the External will produce enough flow around the LR to filter properly is there any particular reason you dont want a powerhead in the tank?

If it is the cost of a Koralia is very low compared to the Live Rock.

If it is aesthetics power heads can be hidden behind the LR

Also I would not write of corals as Softies and LPS can be kept under moderate lighting.

The external would serve better to house Carbon and Rowaphos

You can run without a skimmer I would not personaly but you can you can

 

[Haych]

no, the skimmer i know you need.

i thought of keeping costs down as i already have something that creates movement, ie the external filter. i understand that the live rock is a filter, but was wondering about keeping costs down if i have something already suitable.

cost is a major issue which is why i never went there last time, and am still confused as what to do, stay tropical or go marine

thanks for the answer though morri

 

[Morri]

Is this for the 180L tank ?

If so a K2 is roughly £30

You should be able to get LR for roughly £5 a Kg second hand 180L will need 20Kgs

Skimmers can cost as little as £15 for a Boyu WG310 I would be more inclined to go for a MCE300 or a V2 400 these always pop up second hand on UR or Ebay.

 

[Haych]

Is this for the 180L tank ?

If so a K2 is roughly £30

You should be able to get LR for roughly £5 a Kg second hand 180L will need 20Kgs

Skimmers can cost as little as £15 for a Boyu WG310 I would be more inclined to go for a MCE300 or a V2 400 these always pop up second hand on UR or Ebay.

right, first of all, i have searched for Boyu WG310 and it comes up with one for a sump only? i dont have a sump

searched for an MCE300 and they came up at £140ish, and a V2 400 can be got for £25 localish to me, but no pic so would have to research it (see condition all parts etc)

and, obviously i know ebay, but what / whom is UR?

thanks for the help btw, much appreciated

 

[Morri]

WG310 is a sit in the tank skimmer.

 

[Haych]

oh right... are they better than hang on the back?

 

[DutchKev]

what sort of litres per hour would you need for the rio? there are a few on UR for a decent price, there is one that does 5,000 LPR for only £25, but would this be overkill on such a smallish tank? (asked on behalf of haych)

 

[Morri]

Dependant on a few things if you want to keep SPS you would need at least 30 x 180LPH but I suspect 20 x 180 LPH so 1 K3 that are £29.99 on fleabay new + the external filter will be more than enough flow.

you could get away with a K2 dependant on how many LPH the external throws out.