I need help please

rvalen07 · 02/12/2011, 10:17 PM

Hello my name is renea, i live in la vegas nv. 7yrs ago i used to have a 125g saltwater tank. i had it for 2yrs then moved to vegas and got rid of it, we finally bought a home an so now we wanna set up another saltwater tank, i purchased a 300g tank i been to a few stores out here it seems like they just trying to sell me anything. its been a while so i need help we are planing to get a wet/dry with over flow box and a skimmer what size of skimmer would be ok for this size of tank? it will only be fish I was told at the fish store to buy a c-skim 1800 but i think a smaller one would be fine.

does anyone know of a reasonable priced website i can purchase my wet/dry, pump and skimmer

what is better for my tank a sump or wet/dry??

Angel*Fish · 02/12/2011, 11:25 PM

To Reef Central

I think it would be really good to spend some time reading the stickies in this forum before buying anything else. Things have advanced a bit in the last 5 years. Personally I wouldn't consider a hang on overflow for a 300g if that's what you were saying (get the tank drilled and have overflow boxes put in - there a new silent way to do it http://www.beananimal.com/projects/s...ow-system.aspx. I don't think people are doing wet drys anymore. Live rock is used for biological filtration. Mechanical filtration is not necessary. A sump is the way to go and since you have room down there you could also put a refugium into the system. I would go over sized, not under on the skimmer.

You didn't mention it, but you'll be needing powerheads and an ro/di system to make water.

Since you're doing such a large tank, you might want to check in with the large tank forum and see what kind of skimmers, etc people are using. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=252

~JSG~ · 02/13/2011, 12:21 AM

IMHO, wet dry trickle for a fish only system is perfectly ok. I would emphasize the need for a skimmer larger then that of someone who has an equal sized tank that is mixed reef. It is important to note that you should learn how to properly maintain a wet dry trickle filter, and a skimmer. I say get the biggest skimmer you can afford and make sure it fits under cabinet. These are just a few of the issues you will have to address when choosing equipment. Good luck an I HTH! Welcome to reef central!

Michael · 02/13/2011, 01:50 AM

I agree with JSG about the wet/dry, if I had a 300 gallon tank purely for fish then I would use a wet/dry myself, not good for a reef, but it is absolutely fantastic at removing ammonia from a system and worth installing. As for a skimmer, Im not sure what makes you have over there, but an octopus bubble type skimmer is the type Id be looking at for a fish only large aquarium, Just my 2 cents.

Chris27 · 02/13/2011, 08:25 AM

The 300 Gal tank you bought, does it already have holes drilled? If not, having it drilled will require some thought. Most simply put small boxes in the corners, but there are other options. If it's not already drilled, do a little research on overflows, you should come up with some hits.

IMHO, a trickle filter is a bit overpriced for what it really is, one can simply buy an additional aquarium and easily modify it for use as a sump. I've spent too much time modifying the pre-made models to suit my needs, when in reality it would have been much easier to just have a custom one made, or do it myself. Additionally, the pre-made sumps tend to be a bit small when it comes to housing a protein skimmer unless you specifically order one large enough. Talk to your LFS, they could probably put together a sump for you for a fraction of the cost of the acrylic ones. The 33L tanks are great for sumps, all you need is a couple of dividers (bubble traps) in there and you'll be good to go.

For a skimmer, I like the new Octopus SRO and XP skimmers from Coralvue, the new pumps they are using are solid performers.

http://coralvue.com/category/product...rs/super-reef/

If you want to step it up a notch from those, Detec, ATB, Vertex Alpha, and Bubble King are all very good.....but pricey.

robrich342 · 02/13/2011, 08:39 AM

I agree with Angel :

Personally I wouldn't consider a hang on overflow for a 300g

Also what Chris is saying is a good idea. I like to buy acrylic tanks online , glue , and you can go to Home Depot or to a glass shop and have them cut whatever size and amount of baffles you want or need in your tank to convert it to a sump at 1/3 of the cost of what you will buy a sump for PLUS you get exactly what you want. With the acrylic tank you can drill the holes yourself very easy. Example 30 gal acrylic tank $65 the rest $30 bucks max ! you can not buy a 30 gallon sump for $100 new.

Hope this helps

Angel*Fish · 02/13/2011, 11:47 AM

Oops, I missed the fish only part. If it were me I would want to keep my options and do a FOWLR for the possibility I might want to add a few corals

Palting · 02/13/2011, 12:09 PM

300g! Good for you!

You'd be surprised at how many people here started as fish only, then find out how gorgeous a true reef tank can be, and how doable it can be. I am one of them!

Anyway, here's what I would do starting with a fish only, possibly moving to reef at a later date, without burning any bridges to that possibility.

1. Drill the tank. Regardless of whether this will always be fish only or not, a HOB overflow is a distant 2nd best to a drillled tank. Even the overflow manufacturers will tell you this. Make sure the panel of glass you plan to drill is not tempered. I believe this drilled tank to be such a big point, that if it were possible to exchange your current tank for a drilled tank, I would suggest you do so.
2. Sump is best, but you can start with a wet/dry for a fish only tank, due to it's simplicity and works-right out-of-the-box character. I got most of my expensive equipment from foster and smith. Here's the one I use for my reef tank (model 4): http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.co...m?pcatid=19052. Here's another that can be either wet/dry or later converted to a sump/skimmer system: http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.co...m?pcatid=22133. The problem is that both of these are rated only up to about 250 gals.
3. Skimmer. While you are fish only, don't buy one. No need. If you decide to do reef, then buy the biggest one that you can afford and fits into your stand.

300 gallons. As Agelfish said, you may want to check out and ask your questions in the large tank forum.

02/12/2011, 10:17 PM	#1
rvalen07 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 1	I need help please Hello my name is renea, i live in la vegas nv. 7yrs ago i used to have a 125g saltwater tank. i had it for 2yrs then moved to vegas and got rid of it, we finally bought a home an so now we wanna set up another saltwater tank, i purchased a 300g tank i been to a few stores out here it seems like they just trying to sell me anything. its been a while so i need help we are planing to get a wet/dry with over flow box and a skimmer what size of skimmer would be ok for this size of tank? it will only be fish I was told at the fish store to buy a c-skim 1800 but i think a smaller one would be fine. does anyone know of a reasonable priced website i can purchase my wet/dry, pump and skimmer what is better for my tank a sump or wet/dry?? Last edited by rvalen07; 02/12/2011 at 10:27 PM.

02/12/2011, 11:25 PM	#2
Angel*Fish cats and large squashes Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Houston Posts: 5,951 Blog Entries: 1	*To Reef Central* I think it would be really good to spend some time reading the stickies in this forum before buying anything else. Things have advanced a bit in the last 5 years. Personally I wouldn't consider a hang on overflow for a 300g if that's what you were saying (get the tank drilled and have overflow boxes put in - there a new silent way to do it http://www.beananimal.com/projects/s...ow-system.aspx. I don't think people are doing wet drys anymore. Live rock is used for biological filtration. Mechanical filtration is not necessary. A sump is the way to go and since you have room down there you could also put a refugium into the system. I would go over sized, not under on the skimmer. You didn't mention it, but you'll be needing powerheads and an ro/di system to make water. Since you're doing such a large tank, you might want to check in with the large tank forum and see what kind of skimmers, etc people are using. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=252 __________________ Marie So long, & thanks for all the fish! __________________________ Current Tank Info: Pairs: flame angels, cherub angels, Red Sea mimic blennies, yellow fin fairy wrasses, clowns, mandarins, blackcap basslets, shrimp gobies, damsels, dispar anthias, yellow clown gobies, threadfin cardinals --- Tanks: 100g reef, 2 x 30g refugiums

02/13/2011, 12:21 AM	#3
~JSG~ Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: South Texas Posts: 156	IMHO, wet dry trickle for a fish only system is perfectly ok. I would emphasize the need for a skimmer larger then that of someone who has an equal sized tank that is mixed reef. It is important to note that you should learn how to properly maintain a wet dry trickle filter, and a skimmer. I say get the biggest skimmer you can afford and make sure it fits under cabinet. These are just a few of the issues you will have to address when choosing equipment. Good luck an I HTH! Welcome to reef central! __________________ Current Tank Info: 200G Oceanic reef ready tank w/ 50gal. Reef ready sump, Reef Dynamics INS300, 72" Coralife pro series system w/ 3 14K metal Halides, 4 moon LEDs, 4 Antinic 96W cfls. 150lbs. LR, 1 Hammer Coral, 1 Zombie eye colony Zoa, 2 Green Chromis, 1 Diamond Goby,1 True Percula 1 Emperor Angel Fish, CUC 75G AGA 2x250W 14K MH, Reef Octopus Skimmer, 20G DIY sump, 4" sand Bed, 150lbs LR, 1 foxface rabbit fish, 1 Green Acro?!

02/13/2011, 01:50 AM	#4
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	I agree with JSG about the wet/dry, if I had a 300 gallon tank purely for fish then I would use a wet/dry myself, not good for a reef, but it is absolutely fantastic at removing ammonia from a system and worth installing. As for a skimmer, Im not sure what makes you have over there, but an octopus bubble type skimmer is the type Id be looking at for a fish only large aquarium, Just my 2 cents. __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

02/13/2011, 08:39 AM	#6
robrich342 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: East Coast Posts: 472	I agree with Angel : Personally I wouldn't consider a hang on overflow for a 300g Also what Chris is saying is a good idea. I like to buy acrylic tanks online , glue , and you can go to Home Depot or to a glass shop and have them cut whatever size and amount of baffles you want or need in your tank to convert it to a sump at 1/3 of the cost of what you will buy a sump for PLUS you get exactly what you want. With the acrylic tank you can drill the holes yourself very easy. Example 30 gal acrylic tank $65 the rest $30 bucks max ! you can not buy a 30 gallon sump for $100 new. Hope this helps __________________ Liberty anit cheap ! Current Tank Info: 50G SC Starfire rimless mix reef

02/13/2011, 08:25 AM	#5
Chris27 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 4,452	The 300 Gal tank you bought, does it already have holes drilled? If not, having it drilled will require some thought. Most simply put small boxes in the corners, but there are other options. If it's not already drilled, do a little research on overflows, you should come up with some hits. IMHO, a trickle filter is a bit overpriced for what it really is, one can simply buy an additional aquarium and easily modify it for use as a sump. I've spent too much time modifying the pre-made models to suit my needs, when in reality it would have been much easier to just have a custom one made, or do it myself. Additionally, the pre-made sumps tend to be a bit small when it comes to housing a protein skimmer unless you specifically order one large enough. Talk to your LFS, they could probably put together a sump for you for a fraction of the cost of the acrylic ones. The 33L tanks are great for sumps, all you need is a couple of dividers (bubble traps) in there and you'll be good to go. For a skimmer, I like the new Octopus SRO and XP skimmers from Coralvue, the new pumps they are using are solid performers. http://coralvue.com/category/product...rs/super-reef/ If you want to step it up a notch from those, Detec, ATB, Vertex Alpha, and Bubble King are all very good.....but pricey.

02/13/2011, 11:47 AM	#7
Angel*Fish cats and large squashes Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Houston Posts: 5,951 Blog Entries: 1	Oops, I missed the fish only part. If it were me I would want to keep my options and do a FOWLR for the possibility I might want to add a few corals __________________ Marie So long, & thanks for all the fish! __________________________ Current Tank Info: Pairs: flame angels, cherub angels, Red Sea mimic blennies, yellow fin fairy wrasses, clowns, mandarins, blackcap basslets, shrimp gobies, damsels, dispar anthias, yellow clown gobies, threadfin cardinals --- Tanks: 100g reef, 2 x 30g refugiums

02/13/2011, 12:09 PM	#8
Palting Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,912	300g! Good for you! You'd be surprised at how many people here started as fish only, then find out how gorgeous a true reef tank can be, and how doable it can be. I am one of them! Anyway, here's what I would do starting with a fish only, possibly moving to reef at a later date, without burning any bridges to that possibility. 1. Drill the tank. Regardless of whether this will always be fish only or not, a HOB overflow is a distant 2nd best to a drillled tank. Even the overflow manufacturers will tell you this. Make sure the panel of glass you plan to drill is not tempered. I believe this drilled tank to be such a big point, that if it were possible to exchange your current tank for a drilled tank, I would suggest you do so. 2. Sump is best, but you can start with a wet/dry for a fish only tank, due to it's simplicity and works-right out-of-the-box character. I got most of my expensive equipment from foster and smith. Here's the one I use for my reef tank (model 4): http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.co...m?pcatid=19052. Here's another that can be either wet/dry or later converted to a sump/skimmer system: http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.co...m?pcatid=22133. The problem is that both of these are rated only up to about 250 gals. 3. Skimmer. While you are fish only, don't buy one. No need. If you decide to do reef, then buy the biggest one that you can afford and fits into your stand. 300 gallons. As Agelfish said, you may want to check out and ask your questions in the large tank forum. __________________ Anything I post is just an opinion. One of many in this hobby. Believe and follow at your own risk of rapid and complete annihilation of all life in your tank :) Current Tank Info: Incept 3/2010, 150 RR, 50g sump, 20g fuge, 150w 15K MH x3, T5 actinics x8, moonlight LED x6, 1400gph return, Koralia 1400 x4, 300 g skimmer, 4 tangs, 2 mandarins, 2 perc, 6 line, 3 cardinals, 2 firefish, SPS, LPS, zoas, palys, shrooms, clam Last edited by Palting; 02/13/2011 at 12:16 PM.