My first saltwater tank "need sump or Wet/Dry"

[edmlfc1]

This is my first saltwater aquarium and need to know what items I need. I am also looking for a sump or wet/dry system (are these the same thing?). Any information will help. The items I plan to order are in ( ). I am not planning to get corals.

Here is my information:
125 Gallon 6' long tank. (2 Green Spotted Puffers slowly raised from freshwater to saltwater over the last 5 months)
Salinity (1.022) (still raising until I get to 1.025)

Water Testing is done on a weekly basis, I keep a spreadsheet on my computer and record it each time I test the water.
Equipment currently on tank:
Eheim 2227
2-Whisper 60 HOB
2- Heaters (one on each side of the tank)
Thermometer

Current Test results:
Salinity (1.022) (still raising until I get to 1.025)
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5
PH 8.2
Use: Instant Ocean Salt Mix
Also Use: Prime
I mix salt & prime in a 13 gallon bucket before adding to the tank. Also make sure temp is the same.

From Tap Water (also test tap water weekly)
PH 8.2
Ammonia .25 (most days, they are building a new treatment plant close by so I am hoping this will get better)
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0

Things I am sure I will need:
Sump (need advise)
Wet/Dry (need advise)
Saw a Rapids Pro Series Wet/Dry Filter Systems on drsfostersmith.com, seems to have everything I would need. Would this unit work?


RO/DI (need advise) Could I get one of these from Lowe's?
I live in an apartment and need something that I can use only with water changes.



Live Rock (LFS)

UV Sterilizer (TERMINATOR 9 WATT QUARTZ UV STERILIZER For aquariums up to 150 gallons)

Protein Skimmer (TROPIC MARINE V2 PROTEIN SKIMMER 600 For aquariums up to 160 Gallons)

Test kit's (other than Ammonia,Ph.Nitrite & Nitrate)
Please advise which other test kits I may need.

If you have any suggestions please advise. I would also like to get a Porcupine Puffer once I get everything set up and running. I have a homemade divider just in case I need to keep aggression down. I am planning to start ordering my equipment next week.
Thanks to all who respond.

[Sk8r]

Get a sump, no wet-dry. And if you can possibly swing it, a reefready tank is best---has a chamber that runs hose straight down to a sump with ample room for all the gear like pumps, heater, skimmer. I wouldn't get a UV sterilizer. You do need a skimmer. You need live rock, 1 lb a gallon; aragonite sand [CaribSea is one brand] 1 lb a gallon...and you need to cycle your tank to completion before getting any inverts or fish.

Read the * threads at the top of this forum and it will tell you everything about properly setting up your tank...and give you some advice on tank purchase.

You might also consider an all-in-one tank as an option: the Aquapod, etc., which comes with all equipment: the catch, you have to sell it all and trade up if you want larger.

Puffers are cute but have their ins and outs: I'd recommend doing some talking to other puffer owners in the Reef Fishes forum to be sure you do the right thing by this fish.

In most instances, a TDS meter will show that sink filter has too much getting through it. Get ro water at your local Walmart and use that for setup.

[edmlfc1]

I already have the tank and it's not drilled. The tank started in freshwater and was slowly raised to saltwater for the puffers. Getting another tank is not an option.
My tank has been cycled for the last 5 months.
I really need advise on equipment I need to get for this tank. I have been reading forums, DIY, reviews, how to setup saltwater etc.
I had to learn all the termonology just to figure out what they were talking about. I have been doing research for the last 2 months, day & night. I feel like my brain is about to explode.
I even thought about just hiring someone to come to my home and set up any eqipment I need for me. But after checking out the prices on everything I thought that might not be such a great idea.
Thanks for your help. Can anyone else push some advise my way about the equipment I need.

[Vinnie71975]

Originally posted by edmlfc1
This is my first saltwater aquarium and need to know what items I need. I am also looking for a sump or wet/dry system (are these the same thing?). Any information will help. The items I plan to order are in ( ). I am not planning to get corals.

Here is my information:
125 Gallon 6' long tank. (2 Green Spotted Puffers slowly raised from freshwater to saltwater over the last 5 months)
Salinity (1.022) (still raising until I get to 1.025)

Water Testing is done on a weekly basis, I keep a spreadsheet on my computer and record it each time I test the water.
Equipment currently on tank:
Eheim 2227
2-Whisper 60 HOB
2- Heaters (one on each side of the tank)
Thermometer

Current Test results:
Salinity (1.022) (still raising until I get to 1.025)
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5
PH 8.2
Use: Instant Ocean Salt Mix
Also Use: Prime
I mix salt & prime in a 13 gallon bucket before adding to the tank. Also make sure temp is the same.

From Tap Water (also test tap water weekly)
PH 8.2
Ammonia .25 (most days, they are building a new treatment plant close by so I am hoping this will get better)
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0

Things I am sure I will need:
Sump (need advise)
Wet/Dry (need advise)
Saw a Rapids Pro Series Wet/Dry Filter Systems on drsfostersmith.com, seems to have everything I would need. Would this unit work?


RO/DI (need advise) Could I get one of these from Lowe's?
I live in an apartment and need something that I can use only with water changes.



Live Rock (LFS)

UV Sterilizer (TERMINATOR 9 WATT QUARTZ UV STERILIZER For aquariums up to 150 gallons)

Protein Skimmer (TROPIC MARINE V2 PROTEIN SKIMMER 600 For aquariums up to 160 Gallons)

Test kit's (other than Ammonia,Ph.Nitrite & Nitrate)
Please advise which other test kits I may need.

If you have any suggestions please advise. I would also like to get a Porcupine Puffer once I get everything set up and running. I have a homemade divider just in case I need to keep aggression down. I am planning to start ordering my equipment next week.
Thanks to all who respond.

MUST HAVE"S

125lbs Cured Live rock
125lbs Live Sand
Since Tank is not drilled Overflow Box
Sump container(im gonna use an 18g rubber maid tub for my fuge and the 14.5 for my sump)
Return Pump
PVC pipe and Various PVC elbows,T Joints, Ball Valves(im going to include a paint drawing of what my sump is going to look like to give you a better idea.) Also PVC cement
Protein Skimmer(best one you can afford)
2 part Cal/Alk Solution
Salt(Lots Of it)
Powerheads for Flow(in that tank i would do 3 Hydor Koriela number 4's)
High Quality Lights T5 High Output Or Better
A really good test kit set.
The water filter from lowes would be better than nothing i guess but if i were you i would buy an RO/DI unit and just hook it up in the sink when needed on that big of a tank buying water will be costly.
That is the Must have stuff Forget the wet/dry and the UV they are OK but not needed.

Here is My plan for my 55g Sump/fuge

[edmlfc1]

Thanks,
The drawing really helps. I just have to measure and see how much space I have under my cabinet.
I was planning to get the 50/50 lights but I will check your suggestion (High Quality Lights T5 High Output Or Better).

I had looked at a few powerheads but had no clue what to get so I will check these out also (3 Hydor Koriela number 4's). I was planning to get 2 extra powerheads for the mixed water prior to adding to the tank. Probally forgot to metion that.

What is this for? 2 part Cal/Alk Solution


For a FOWLR system which test kits would I need. I have ammonia, ph, nitrite & nitrate. I am only going to have 3 puffers and no corals. (Puffers will eat most corals)

I checked with the LFS and they have LR available. Went by there this afternoon and put some on hold until I can get the protein skimmer. I plan to get about 25 pounds at a time until I have enough. I will wait until I have everything to get my marine puffer. My GSP's are doing great the way it is now so I am not trying to rush. I really want to do this right even if it takes me a few months.
Thanks for your suggestions I will be checking them out tonight.

[rustybucket145]

Drilling a tank that's already setup and full isn't really as hard as it sounds, I've done it multiple times. Used a dremel and a tile cutting bit, drained the tanks down half way, traced the hole size and went to work. Took a couple of hours with many breaks in there but overall it's not a bad project. And the piece of mind of a bulkhead is well worth the effort in my opinion.

You would only need one hole for an overflow.

[salty420]

That sounds like a sweet tank for puffers!!! Would love some pics. All you really need to do is get a good continous siphon overflow box that hangs on the back to feed to the sump/refugium. And as far as I know a big enough refugium is all you need, and a wet/dry is not that good for saltwater. Def need a RO unit. I got mine off ebay at a good price.

[keelaydafishguy]

Cool tank!!! I am13 and looking for a porciupine puffer for an upcoming 75 findng nemo tank what type of marine puffer are you looking for?

[Kkubiak]

If you could get a sump with a refugium then you will be in better shape. Corals seem to do a lot better when you have macroalgea growing in the water. Make sure you get a good skimmer. It is extremely important.

[edmlfc1]

I already got the Porcupine Puffer. Had her for about 4 days now. Set up the protein skimmer a few weeks back and it's almost broke in now. Also got a RO/DI unit about 2 weeks ago. I still need more LR. Currently have 54lbs. Will be adding it slowly because of cost. Here are a few pictures.
The tank:



Selena: My new porcupine puffer:


keelaydafishguy
If you get a porcupine puffer you will not regret it. I think she is just the cuttest thing ever!

[svb57]

I guess people dont read full thread before giving advise.

If your salinity is at 1.022 your good . If your not going to keep any corals, and actually better at lower end then high end.

You dont need the 2 part Cal/Alk..it is if you want to keep hard corals. As they need this to grow.

[edmlfc1]

I was wondering why I needed those test kits. I already purchased them. lol. But still didn't have a clue why I needed them.

[edmlfc1]

BTW: I was told by the LFS it was ok to start with the 54lbs of live rock for my 3 puffers. They are all under 4". But I will be adding more LR over the next few months. My water is good:
amm. 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5 or less.
PH 8.2-8.4
I also purchased some Chaetomorpha Saltwater Macro Algae. At the moment I just have it stuffed in some rocks. I was thinking about getting an in tank Refugium to put the chaetomorpha in.