New to saltwater. Some specific questions before I buy.

[GuitarManDave]

Hi -

I've been freshwater aquarist for many years and I'm (hopefully) about to expand into a fowlr tank.

I've been doing research for quite a while and I'm about to purchase a 72gal reef-ready tank. I already have an RO/DI.

I have a few specific questions to finalize my plan:

The tank comes with a wet/dry sump. I'm planning on putting live rock in the tank. Am I correct that I can do away with the wet/dry filtration? If so what exactly goes in the sump besides the heaters? I understand I may eventually want a skimmer but for now I think I can live without it - is this correct?

I like the idea of buying a whole mess of base rock (cheap) and not-live sand and seeding them with a smaller amount of live rock. If my plan is to have 75-100 pounds total rock how much base rock should I buy vs live rock? How long does it take for the seeding to take place? Can I just put everything in the tank and let the seeding occur there along with a cycle? Is this a feasible approach?

My LFS has cured live rock for $5.99/pound. Is this a good deal?

My plan is to place the rock right on the bottom of the tank and add sand around it. I don't like tons of sand but how much is the right amount for a tank this size?

I've heard that pointing a powerhead at the rock will encourage seeding - is this correct or can I get away without that expense? Will I want a powerhead in the long run anyways? Any suggestions for a reasonably priced but quality product?

Any other suggestions of things I need to buy to get started? So far I've got (or will shortly get):
Tank & stand
Refractometer
High-output light fixture (t5)
Saltwater test kit
Heater x 2
Sump + return pump
Wet/dry filter (may not be needed)
Salt
RO/DI + associated hardware (hoses, mixing pump, etc)

Thanks in advance!
Dave

[jeff@zina.com]

Originally Posted by GuitarManDave

The tank comes with a wet/dry sump. I'm planning on putting live rock in the tank. Am I correct that I can do away with the wet/dry filtration? If so what exactly goes in the sump besides the heaters? I understand I may eventually want a skimmer but for now I think I can live without it - is this correct?

You would do better with a skimmer. You can ditch the wet/dry though. Many people also run a refugium, or fuge, in the sump. Basically, an extra area to put more live rock, macro algae and the like.

Originally Posted by GuitarManDave

I like the idea of buying a whole mess of base rock (cheap) and not-live sand and seeding them with a smaller amount of live rock. If my plan is to have 75-100 pounds total rock how much base rock should I buy vs live rock? How long does it take for the seeding to take place? Can I just put everything in the tank and let the seeding occur there along with a cycle? Is this a feasible approach?

The more live to dry rock, the faster it will seed and the sooner it will fully cycle. 50/50 is a good ratio, but 80% dry rock and 20% live rock works fine too. If it's a new tank, just dump it all in.

Originally Posted by GuitarManDave

My LFS has cured live rock for $5.99/pound. Is this a good deal?

Dunno. Can't see the rock from my desk.

Rock pricing varies, if you're happy with the look and the price, it's a good deal. Even if someone finds a better one.

Originally Posted by GuitarManDave

I don't like tons of sand but how much is the right amount for a tank this size?

About an inch deep is fine.

Originally Posted by GuitarManDave

Will I want a powerhead in the long run anyways? Any suggestions for a reasonably priced but quality product?

You may want power heads for movement in the tank anyway. Pointing it at the rock won't really affect seeding dry rock though.

Good luck, and welcome to the addiction!

Jeff

[DoubleM 10]

well in this case i personally did all dead rock

yes my cycle took forever. i started the cycle with a dead silverside i was feeding my lions from another tanks.

after all said and done i have done all 3 of my tanks this way. works great for me.
the only thing i missed out on was some of the cool and hard to find animals and the such you can get on liverock from the LFS

that being said i know exacly whats in the tank! cause i put it in there with no adds at all.

now like i said everything will take longer if you do it my way.

i would recemoent to go with a large skimmer. i have a 55 with a 15gal sump. i have a skimmer rated to 250gal. works like a charm. i have a FO tank. most people say its over stacked
Marine betta
2 fuzzy dwarf lionfish
1 1.5ft ghost eel.
about 25 red leg hermits

now with those animals im able to feed 3 times a week
amonia stays @ 0.

on the other hand i could have had some liverock and had a batter filter. i can not argue with the people that liverock is one of the better filters in your tank. the best way is the natural way.

the price on the rock you say is about the same price where im at. so i guess its a good deal.

i have extremely pourse rock in my tank to house all the bacteria and such that does excist. rock is all personal preference. how big of a sump are you planning if one at all?

also about the power heads YES you will need them. you will need movement in the tank. i ran into the issue of not having enough and had hair alea and small amounts of cyno in the areas that did not have much action. so YES get some 2 maybe more depending on the fish you plan to have

i have heard many views on fuge and refuguims.

i dont have one. i recently read a post on RC about one guy having his cheato sporing in the tank. all fish needed to be remover to clean water. no matter hich way you go you will think the grass is greener on the other side.

do it how you feel comfortable and know you can do it the best for the sake of the fish.

for you and your fish make sure you do a lot of reasearch on fish your equipment and anything else you will need.

hope this helps

[kduen]

Dave-

The tank comes with a wet/dry sump. I'm planning on putting live rock in the tank. Am I correct that I can do away with the wet/dry filtration? If so what exactly goes in the sump besides the heaters? I understand I may eventually want a skimmer but for now I think I can live without it - is this correct?

If you are going to have a sump as listed towards the bottom there is no reason to have the wet/dry hooked up. In most sumps you will find the skimmer ( I wouldn't have a SW tank without one) heaters, return pump/s, filter socks and some have refugiums within the sump. If you think you will eventually want a skimmer then get a sump sized for everything that you will have placed in it otherwise it will be no fun later. Also on the skimmer, a good quality skimmer is probably the most important thing you could get. Don't go cheap on this you will regret it.

I like the idea of buying a whole mess of base rock (cheap) and not-live sand and seeding them with a smaller amount of live rock. If my plan is to have 75-100 pounds total rock how much base rock should I buy vs live rock? How long does it take for the seeding to take place? Can I just put everything in the tank and let the seeding occur there along with a cycle? Is this a feasible approach?

This is exactly what I did. I bought 50lbs dry and 30lbs live and have added a little more along the way. The ratio really depends on what your willing to spend as it will all become seeded live rock eventually it will just take longer if you use a small amount of live. Seeding will start as soon as they are mixed in the tank together and all the little critters can move to the dry rock. Yes this is a feasible approach just be aware that after you put all the rock in the tank there is only going to be the filtering capacity of the ammount of live rock you put in for a while.

My LFS has cured live rock for $5.99/pound. Is this a good deal?

Really all depends. If it looks nice and you are willing to spend the money go for it, otherwise look around on craigslist or a local club for people selling it. You can usually find it just takes a little research.

My plan is to place the rock right on the bottom of the tank and add sand around it. I don't like tons of sand but how much is the right amount for a tank this size?

Whatever looks right to you. Others will say differently and neither is really wrong or right.

I've heard that pointing a powerhead at the rock will encourage seeding - is this correct or can I get away without that expense? Will I want a powerhead in the long run anyways? Any suggestions for a reasonably priced but quality product?


I wouldn't say it encourages it but you will probably want more flow than just that of the return pump. I would look at the Koralia line probably two Koralia 2's. Again all depends on if in the future you want to add corals. If so then you will probably need more than the 2's.

The only other thing that IS needed is a quality test kit for Ammonia, Nitrites, Nitrates and PH.

[Sk8r]

Just a correction on the macro algae/ fuge thing: it's not cheato that spores, it's caulerpa. Caulerpa is dangerous for a multitude of reasons. Cheatomorpha is safe.

[Sk8r]

One other point: WHAT sort of fish do you absolutely want to have in your tank above all? That defines gallonage and length of the tank.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Sk8r

Just a correction on the macro algae/ fuge thing: it's not cheato that spores, it's caulerpa. Caulerpa is dangerous for a multitude of reasons. Cheatomorpha is safe.

Amen to that.

One issue with putting "base rock" into a tank: if you are planning on a reef tank, you may have embedded phosphate that will leech into the water column and cause longer term problems. Just an FYI. If FOWLR, no problem whatsoever other than cycle time.