Setting up a new tank

[AaronD]

Hi all

Im about to set up a new 35g SW tank. I currently have freshwaters at the moment and want to have a go at SW.

This is the plan, for the moment:

> 35g tank
> 3 x flouresent tubes @ 30w (maringlo, pink, and not to sure on 3rd yet)
> eheim 2213+ external
> coral sand
> 200w rena heater
> not to sure on protein skimmer & RO Unit as of yet
> test kits (for nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, ph, salinity, alkalinity, phosphates, calcium)

(1) will this equipment be ok for a relatively small stocked SW tank? im not sure on whether to go for a reef or fish only, but to be honest, i think i will go for reef in the end..


i need a little advice on a (2) skimmer and whether i should go for a (3) RO unit?

(4) also any tips on other parameters i should watch out for would help too

Many thanks

 

[Navarre]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Firstly, save your money and forget the external filter. You will need liverock for filtration as its a far better option than any other filter available. For a 35 gallon system you will need a minimum of 35lbs of liverock.

I strongly recomend a skimmer as it will help remove nutrients fromthe water colum even before it becomes a factor for hte bacteria in your liverock to handle and thus make the worload easier on teh liverock.

RO water is another high on the list product. Without RO water you are highly likely to simply add water with high nutrients back into the system.

Lastly, if you plan to go for a reef setup then dont waste time on the extra lights now and save up for a small halide over the tank as you will need very strong lights depending on the types of corals you will want.

 

[AaronD]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Firstly, save your money and forget the external filter. You will need liverock for filtration as its a far better option than any other filter available. For a 35 gallon system you will need a minimum of 35lbs of liverock.

I strongly recomend a skimmer as it will help remove nutrients fromthe water colum even before it becomes a factor for hte bacteria in your liverock to handle and thus make the worload easier on teh liverock.

RO water is another high on the list product. Without RO water you are highly likely to simply add water with high nutrients back into the system.

Lastly, if you plan to go for a reef setup then dont waste time on the extra lights now and save up for a small halide over the tank as you will need very strong lights depending on the types of corals you will want.

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thanks for the warm welcome and quick reply!

ok so forget the filter and use live rocks

i am planning to get a skimmer, but not really to sure which to go for? any recommendations?

ive looked at RO units and im slightly confused about how to set one up. I was on RO man website and found a 36 gallon a day system, which i can then get an adapter to which connects to an outdoor hose... however, i then read on about a pre-filter? is this contained in the RO system or do i have to buy seperately?

and last of all, im presuming i will have to replace my hood with a halide canopy? or could i get fittings so i can set up the lights inside the hood?

 

[Navarre]

Im afraid im not much of an expert on skimmers on small tank. However if you get an external then you could get one equiped for a larger sized tank and thus make it far more efficient.

As for the RO Unit. Give RO man a call, I got mine from him and he is a very nice person, (I have actually met him too! Always willing ot help and give impartial advice).

Halides under a hood is not a good idea. They create alot of heat and with a closed hood you will se the tank temperature skyrocket

Mostr people suspend their halides over the tank and leave the tank open. You could of course make a surround to hide the lides from glaring into the room.

 

[fraservet]

TMC has a new skimmer out that looks very good and is reasonably priced.
will try to find the name of it.

i have an ro-man unit

unit

it is very good, and much cheaper than most.
I connect it to a hose using an adaptor from B&Q which cost about a pound.


the 36 gallon unit has a pre-filter and RO membrane fitted.
the unit above also has an extra prefiltration stage and a DI unit.

IMO you would be better spending the extra, but the 36g one would be ok.

 

[AaronD]

my saltwater tank plans are ever expanding!

im currently looking at a new 4ft tank, a Deltec MCE 600, and thanks to fraservet, a 4 stage RO unit

i knew this would happen

 

[steelhealr]

Hi are US or UK? If you are US, look at the CPR BakPak HOB protein skimmer or the AquaC Remora. If you are UK, I've heard that Deltec if very popular over there, not sure of the model tho'.

I got my filter thru Ebay, an AquaSafe system. I didn't want to drill it into my sink/counter so I keep mine portable. I ordered both a faucet and garden hose adapter. You want RO/DI, six stage if possible. Although the units boast 'X' amount of gallons per hour, it will ultimately depend on your water pressure. As Navarre said, going with tap is only asking for future trouble. Investing in a filter will probably save you in time and losses later down the line.

I agree also with the filter subject. Some people buy a HOB filter such as an AquaClear, remove the sponges, ceramics, etc, and either keep their filter media in it or turn it into a small refugium. Welcome aboard...it's nice to see our little aquarium section grow. SH

 

[AaronD]

Hi are US or UK? If you are US, look at the CPR BakPak HOB protein skimmer or the AquaC Remora. If you are UK, I've heard that Deltec if very popular over there, not sure of the model tho'.

I got my filter thru Ebay, an AquaSafe system. I didn't want to drill it into my sink/counter so I keep mine portable. I ordered both a faucet and garden hose adapter. You want RO/DI, six stage if possible. Although the units boast 'X' amount of gallons per hour, it will ultimately depend on your water pressure. As Navarre said, going with tap is only asking for future trouble. Investing in a filter will probably save you in time and losses later down the line.

I agree also with the filter subject. Some people buy a HOB filter such as an AquaClear, remove the sponges, ceramics, etc, and either keep their filter media in it or turn it into a small refugium. Welcome aboard...it's nice to see our little aquarium section grow. SH

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Hi

Id just like to say, i never knew that much about SW, but after this week, ive found it sooo initeresting and ive gained so much knowledge its unbelieveable!

yep im UK, ive looked at the bakpaks and remoras, and i really like the remoras as it goes, but i cannot find a supplier in the UK. Deltec it will probably be, due to the feedback etc ive been hearing... but its going to put a big dent in my pocket

i was just going to go for berlin system, but i probably will get an external eheim aswell as ive found some good deals, depending if i see a difference, it will stay with the SW.

Can i use the flow from the filter instead of getting powerheads?

As for the RO unit, it looks as if im definately getting one. 4 stage. I was just wondering, if an RO unit purifies the water, surely it will make better drinking water aswell?

 

[steelhealr]

Absolutely re: the drinking water..in fact, many of the bottled waters we drink, like Aquafina over here, is simply RO water.

As for the flow, I would think you'll need an powerheads. Turnover, rule of thumb, is 10X Ok, 15X better, greater than or equal to 20X best. SH

 

[AaronD]

right, ive decided to slow down with the marine tank and do it properly. I have decided to get another tank. preferably 4x1.5x1.5 (ft) or bigger (will have almost 10ft of tank in my bedroom! ). will be getting the deltec soon but the first thing is the RO unit.

I was at my LFS today and noticed they sell RO units aswell, and there in the sale. 2 stage £45, and 4 stage £70. Thing is i was going to do a water change on my 2 existing tanks and thought if i get this unit tomorrow, i could use the water sunday, plus its a little cheaper with no waiting.

BUT, how will this unit compare to the RO man units? its made by aquaworld im prepared to get the RO man's but if there is not a significant difference, i would rather buy it locally.

 

[Navarre]

Im glad you are going to take your time over the setup of this marine tank. Before you make any final desisions however i would urge you to consider what type of fish you would eventually like to see in your sytem. So many times i have seen people spend their hard earned cash on their systems only to find that the setup is simply not adequate for the fish they want to keep. For example, Tangs are very popular with many people and newbies to hte hobby often get a tank 1st then want a tang of some description only to find that these fish need enormous tank volume to thrive. Tangs should be kept in 100 gallons of water or more.

 

[AaronD]

Hi navarre

just before i reply to your previous post, im just off to the LFS to look at an RO Unit. Do you have any idea whether aquaworld RO units will be ok? there roughly the same price and spec.. or shall i just wait and get an RO man?

edit - nevermind, ive decided on ro man 4 stage

 

[AaronD]

in reply to stocking question, im thinking along the lines of:

3 lion fish
2 regal tangs
2 yellow tangs
2 facula butterfly
3 snowflake eels
4 sea horses
2 box fish
..oh and some nemos



hehe,
on a serious note, im not looking into getting many fish. For this one i want to creat more of a balanced ecosystem rather than just having a load of show fish..probably clowns, chromis, blenny etc

 

[Navarre]

Ok well obviously the list you have given will be a recipy for disaster However, if you stick with smaller fish like clowns and chromis etc you will be fine. A tank of this size will easily accomodate a dwarf angel.

 

[AaronD]

right.. little update.

Ive just bought the tank. Its a 5ft tank, shallow but long. Take a look here:

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...me=STRK:MEWN:IT

quite a good deal i think?

next will be RO.

But i need a little advice on a sump. Is it worth going for a sump system etc?

or will i be ok within hangon mce600?