New SW tank

SK.Reef · 12/11/2008, 08:31 AM

Hi there

As a start I am a freshwater fish keeper for the past 7 years. After my little experience in freshwater tanks I would like to start my hobby in saltwater aquariums. I am in the designing process of having a US350 gallons saltwater tank and as I am very new into saltwater aquariums I appreciate your kind advices to have such healthy tank.

Proposed Tank Dimensions and volume

D cm Inch
L 220 87
W 75 30
H 80 32

Total Volume
1,320 Liter
349 US Gallon

Proposed Sump Dimensions and volume

D cm Inch
L 150 59
W 60 24
H 70 28

Total Volume
630 Liter
167 US Gallon

Every information of any kind can help !!!!!
Please do ask as much questions as you like.

Thanks in advance

almees · 12/11/2008, 09:09 AM

What type of tank are you starting a Reef tank or fish only tank? Have you looked at the cost of running it? Have you been reading through all the sticky up top? Fresh and salt water are very different do your research and plan ahead.

Buy the correct equiptment the first time, its worth the extra money up front. Take time and plan it out.

SK.Reef · 12/11/2008, 10:24 AM

I am heading for reef tank, also i have the required budget i am allocating around $5,000. i have been reading variety of books, magazines and articles.

what is the right equipment in your opinion for such tank and sump?

plateboy3293 · 12/11/2008, 10:36 AM

I did not see that you double posted. Here is what I wrote in your other thread.

To Reef Central
Well you didn't really give that much info but here are some questions.
Do you have a built in overflow or hang on back?
How many lbs of live rock are you going to use?
Are you going to run a skimmer, uv sterilizer, ozone?
You need heaters or a chiller depending on where you are.
What kind of lighting are you going to get?
Is it a deep sand bed or a shallow sand bed or bare bottom?
Do you have test kits? Such as nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, ph, calcium, alkalinity, and phospahte some test kits for freshwater can be used for saltwater but not all of them.
What type of coral are you going to keep?
Fish list would also be nice on what you are going to keep.
Here are some questions I 'll post some more when you give some answers.

greggnyce · 12/11/2008, 10:42 AM

You will need a skimmer rated for at least 500gl. Do not skimp on this peice of equipment, you will only regret it later.

You will also need quality lights. You will have to decide between t5's or metal halide, or a combo of both.

You will also need to figure out how you are going to produce flow. Either a closed loop or powerheads.

You will also need to decide what kind of reef you are going to build. Will it be sps dominated, lps, softies, or a mix.

You are also going to need a decent sized pump to return water from your sump to the display tAnk. I have a much smaller system so I am not sure what brands are best.

Also take your time, it will be worth it in the end. By taking your time you can avoid many of the problems poeple have when starting their reefs. Go slow adding livestock and choose wisely. There are alot of great books that can be found on amazon. Some Authors to loof for are Eric Borneman, Anthony Calfo, Bob Fenner, Julian Sprun, and Scott Micheals. I am sure there are many others but these guys have written some excellent books which will help alot.

beachbumva · 12/11/2008, 12:19 PM

Tank that size you will find the budget of 5k very very tight depending on whether you wish to start with all top of the line equipment and different things such as amount of live rock deep sand bed and list goes on m8, chiller and lighting options alone are expensive as well.

spw4949 · 12/11/2008, 12:32 PM

Yeah, IMO, 5k for a tank that size will be tough.

12/11/2008, 08:31 AM	#1
SK.Reef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Amman, Jordan Posts: 5	New SW tank Hi there As a start I am a freshwater fish keeper for the past 7 years. After my little experience in freshwater tanks I would like to start my hobby in saltwater aquariums. I am in the designing process of having a US350 gallons saltwater tank and as I am very new into saltwater aquariums I appreciate your kind advices to have such healthy tank. Proposed Tank Dimensions and volume D cm Inch L 220 87 W 75 30 H 80 32 Total Volume 1,320 Liter 349 US Gallon Proposed Sump Dimensions and volume D cm Inch L 150 59 W 60 24 H 70 28 Total Volume 630 Liter 167 US Gallon Every information of any kind can help !!!!! Please do ask as much questions as you like. Thanks in advance __________________ The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian. What's truly great about this hobby is that even after almost six years I still get at as excited as I did when I first started out. Current Tank Info: 183.07 US Gallons planted Discus Tank

12/11/2008, 10:24 AM	#3
SK.Reef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Amman, Jordan Posts: 5	I am heading for reef tank, also i have the required budget i am allocating around $5,000. i have been reading variety of books, magazines and articles. what is the right equipment in your opinion for such tank and sump? __________________ The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian. What's truly great about this hobby is that even after almost six years I still get at as excited as I did when I first started out. Current Tank Info: 183.07 US Gallons planted Discus Tank

12/11/2008, 10:36 AM	#4
plateboy3293 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hillsborough, New Jersey Posts: 1,038	I did not see that you double posted. Here is what I wrote in your other thread. *To Reef Central* Well you didn't really give that much info but here are some questions. Do you have a built in overflow or hang on back? How many lbs of live rock are you going to use? Are you going to run a skimmer, uv sterilizer, ozone? You need heaters or a chiller depending on where you are. What kind of lighting are you going to get? Is it a deep sand bed or a shallow sand bed or bare bottom? Do you have test kits? Such as nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, ph, calcium, alkalinity, and phospahte some test kits for freshwater can be used for saltwater but not all of them. What type of coral are you going to keep? Fish list would also be nice on what you are going to keep. Here are some questions I 'll post some more when you give some answers. __________________ Wars come and go but my soldiers stay eternal Current Tank Info: 155 gallon bow

12/11/2008, 10:42 AM	#5
greggnyce Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bellport, New York Posts: 1,782	You will need a skimmer rated for at least 500gl. Do not skimp on this peice of equipment, you will only regret it later. You will also need quality lights. You will have to decide between t5's or metal halide, or a combo of both. You will also need to figure out how you are going to produce flow. Either a closed loop or powerheads. You will also need to decide what kind of reef you are going to build. Will it be sps dominated, lps, softies, or a mix. You are also going to need a decent sized pump to return water from your sump to the display tAnk. I have a much smaller system so I am not sure what brands are best. Also take your time, it will be worth it in the end. By taking your time you can avoid many of the problems poeple have when starting their reefs. Go slow adding livestock and choose wisely. There are alot of great books that can be found on amazon. Some Authors to loof for are Eric Borneman, Anthony Calfo, Bob Fenner, Julian Sprun, and Scott Micheals. I am sure there are many others but these guys have written some excellent books which will help alot. __________________ What you talkin about Mrs Lime. Current Tank Info: 120 gl oceanic tech, 30 gallon fuge, 40 gallon sump, Itech 200 skimmer, LED Lighting . Mixed reef.

12/11/2008, 12:32 PM	#7
spw4949 Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Albany, N.Y. Posts: 1,594	Yeah, IMO, 5k for a tank that size will be tough. __________________ Steve Current Tank Info: 46 gal bowfront, mixed reef, 2x250W current outer orbit w/4x39W T5 ,10 gal fuge....38 gallon aggressive FOWLR, 10 gallon sump.

12/11/2008, 09:09 AM	#2
almees Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Palm Bay Posts: 228	What type of tank are you starting a Reef tank or fish only tank? Have you looked at the cost of running it? Have you been reading through all the sticky up top? Fresh and salt water are very different do your research and plan ahead. Buy the correct equiptment the first time, its worth the extra money up front. Take time and plan it out.

12/11/2008, 12:19 PM	#6
beachbumva Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Hampton, Va Posts: 104	Tank that size you will find the budget of 5k very very tight depending on whether you wish to start with all top of the line equipment and different things such as amount of live rock deep sand bed and list goes on m8, chiller and lighting options alone are expensive as well.