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Unread 06/03/2011, 09:32 AM   #1
DoctorMatt
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Anything I might be missing for tank setup?

Hi. New to these Forums and saltwater tank so trying to get off on right foot with my tank. Been researching for awhile so have good idea but wanna check what else I may need before starting. I have 30gallon(30x12x18), heater, water circulatory, filter, thermometer, and hood with reef sun light bulb. Was gonna get a protein skimmer, and add either live sand and live rock maybe both. Heard u can dump filter if you have both. Planning on having mostly coral and one fish. Am I missing anything in my setup or do I at least have the bare minimum?


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Unread 06/03/2011, 09:42 AM   #2
Bedroomgangsta
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Well are you going to go with a sump or refugium? Depending on the corals you intend on keeping you might want to make sure your light fixture is adequate for corals to thrive, also protein skimmers arent absolutely necessary but definitely help in water quality and lessen the amount of WC's needed. Live rock helps with your biological filter and is good in the right amounts but can be overkill if you use too much and your bio load may end up too high for the skimmer to tackle. Depending on your "water circulatory" what do you have for circulation? Dont forget salt lol your definitely going to need that as well. also do some reading up on deep sand beds vs. shallow sand beds and figure out what would work best for you. I like to keep an aquascape to a minimum, make it look classy and tidy but not overfilled. Have enough room for your corals to grow and fill up the blank areas. Any other ?'s just keep em coming and myself and others will hopefully chime in to assist as much as we can, good luck with your start up!


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Unread 06/03/2011, 10:23 AM   #3
DoctorMatt
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Thanks for the reply. I was thinking that the sump wasn't a necessity and more of an extra source of water volume and place to hold most of tanks equipment . Is this something I definitely need? Would definitely be nice to skip protein skimmer and use just a little live rock. Can I ditch the filter as well? If I definitely need a sump can try to scrape up some cash for one. Thanks again


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Unread 06/03/2011, 10:23 AM   #4
dzhuo
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I would suggest that you get a RO/DI unit. If you have more spec of the equipment (for example, what type of heater, what type of circulatory, what type of reef sun light bulb, etc), we might be able to offer more suggestions.

Welcome to RC and saltwater!


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Unread 06/03/2011, 10:40 AM   #5
Bedroomgangsta
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Well personally Im a protein skimmer kind of guy so i mean if you wanted to you could try a cheaper odyssea ps75 protein skimmer for like 40$ shipped and at least youll have some sort of filtration other then LR. IF you are not going to do any sort of filtration other then your rock and sand then your going to NEED to keep up on your WC's consistantly and in a decent amount whether its weekly or bi weekly....try to keep your water turn around rate at about 30X whether that be with a powerhead or with a sump and etc...I like sumps because it removes all the eye-sores from the DT itself but thats a choice you will have to make.


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Unread 06/03/2011, 11:36 AM   #6
540iz4
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I prefer to have sump to move the clutter from main tank and also increase water volume more stable water condition.


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Unread 06/03/2011, 11:39 AM   #7
DoctorMatt
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dzhuo View Post
I would suggest that you get a RO/DI unit. If you have more spec of the equipment (for example, what type of heater, what type of circulatory, what type of reef sun light bulb, etc), we might be able to offer more suggestions.

Welcome to RC and saltwater!
Everything that I have from the freshwater tank includes the 30 gallon tank, a Top Fin power filter for up to 40gallon(not sure will need), two old heaters one Neptune 100watt and a Visi-Heat 150watt, air pump(not sure if can use might just stir up sand), and a Marinland Mini Jet 606 submersible pump up to 160 USgph for guess either water cirulation or try create a sump. The light is from old and will need upgraded. Its a Reef Sun by Zoo med 50/50 6,500K. Thats all I have from the old tank. Will need to purchase everything else.


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Unread 06/03/2011, 11:52 AM   #8
WaterKeeper
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Hi Doc,

Most of what you wish to recycle from the old tank is not really useful for a SW tank. Even with a tank as small as 30 gallons good water movement is a MUST. Powerheads can do the job but a small, say 10 gallon sump with a return pump is even better. You are moving on to a larger scale than guppies and having as much water volume as possible will make life far easier.

Lighting is your second priority and that used in SW is far brighter than used in a FW if you plan to keep coral.

LR and LS can do most of the filtration work for you and getting as much as your wallet can handle is worthwhile.

Finally, as dahuo points out a RO/DI is Mandatory.

This might help-

Water
Tank Selection
Lighting
Sumps



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Unread 06/03/2011, 06:52 PM   #9
BeloitReef
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I would get a refractometer instead of a hydrometer to test salinity & specific gravity. Oh, and you will want lots of patience. Salt water takes lots of patience and do not introduce too much at once.


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Unread 06/03/2011, 07:03 PM   #10
Bedroomgangsta
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+1 ^ and +1 on ro/di. Trips to the lfs for rodi is irritatingggg


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