newb here, few questions

picarho · 04/21/2012, 01:03 AM

Okay ill make it short and simple. I'm buying a 125 next week. i have done alot of snooping around on here and found most everything I need to know (and didnt want to know) here's my simple questions...

1. I setup tank, add rock (80/20) and sand, then fill up tank with premixed SW. Once the cycle finishes do... Do i need to do a large water change? Or will the water be healthy after all the die-off on the rock filters?

2. The tank comes with a wet/dry that is empty. I'm guessing its probably small in comparison to the DT. Can I put the wet/dry into a (lets say) 30 long and have it overflow from the wet/drt into the 30 and use the extra space in there for additional equipment? And have the return pump inside of the overflow in the 30? or should I just build a nice sump? Money really isn't an issuse being I plan on moving very slow with this project.

3. If you don't feel like typing a lot you are more than welcome to come by and DIY

And BTW. I'm shooting for a full blown reef tank. I plan on taking my time and hopefully avoiding newbie mistakes as much as possible.

Darth Vedder · 04/21/2012, 01:09 AM

1. Your nitrates will most likely be high after the cycle when ammonia and nitrite go to zero so a large water change to get the nitrate under control is a good idea

2. I would build a large sump. If you have a glass tank that is big enough and fits under your stand, adding baffles is easy. Get the glass cut at a window shop or you can cut yourself if you are comfortable doing it. Silicone them in with GE 2 silicone. Simple inexpensive sump

BriggsReef · 04/21/2012, 01:13 AM

As far as a wet/dry i don't really think i'd use one.

If money wasn't really an issue i'd set up a nice Sump/Fuge area under my tank instead with a really nice skimmer and a GFO/Carbon reactor.

WCreef · 04/21/2012, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BriggsReef

As far as a wet/dry i don't really think i'd use one.

If money wasn't really an issue i'd set up a nice Sump/Fuge area under my tank instead with a really nice skimmer and a GFO/Carbon reactor.

I highly agree I've heard nothing but bad things about wet/dry on saltwater setups. I could be mistaken and if I am I'm sure someone will correct me but I personally love having a sump with a refugium. You can collect all types of nice macro algea too.

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picarho · 04/21/2012, 01:18 AM

Yeah, I figured the water change would help. And I can probably fit a 40-50 gallon tank under the stand, its roomy. But I already have a 30. I might shop on Craigslist and see what I can find later though. Thanks for the info! I'm sure the wet/dry alone will suffice for the cycle process. That's the plan anyways. Like i said I'm in no big hurry. I also live in an apt complex and when my lease is up in November I plan on moving into a house... So the less i have the better

picarho · 04/21/2012, 01:21 AM

I have alot more research to do for the sump components. I hear the microalgea can be hard to maintain? That's what the guy told me today that is selling me the tank anyways.

Darth Vedder · 04/21/2012, 01:22 AM

Your 30 gallon could make a fine sump, just plan your baffles to make sure ou can fit your skimmer, and have the right depth for said skimmer in that chamber

picarho · 04/21/2012, 01:48 AM

Okay thanks again. I'm sure ill have more question as I go along but most are answered somewhere on this fourm.

04/21/2012, 01:03 AM	#1
picarho Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Jacksonville, Florida, USA Posts: 45	newb here, few questions Okay ill make it short and simple. I'm buying a 125 next week. i have done alot of snooping around on here and found most everything I need to know (and didnt want to know) here's my simple questions... 1. I setup tank, add rock (80/20) and sand, then fill up tank with premixed SW. Once the cycle finishes do... Do i need to do a large water change? Or will the water be healthy after all the die-off on the rock filters? 2. The tank comes with a wet/dry that is empty. I'm guessing its probably small in comparison to the DT. Can I put the wet/dry into a (lets say) 30 long and have it overflow from the wet/drt into the 30 and use the extra space in there for additional equipment? And have the return pump inside of the overflow in the 30? or should I just build a nice sump? Money really isn't an issuse being I plan on moving very slow with this project. 3. If you don't feel like typing a lot you are more than welcome to come by and DIY And BTW. I'm shooting for a full blown reef tank. I plan on taking my time and hopefully avoiding newbie mistakes as much as possible.

04/21/2012, 01:09 AM	#2
Darth Vedder Sith Lord Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Saint Charles, MO Posts: 481	1. Your nitrates will most likely be high after the cycle when ammonia and nitrite go to zero so a large water change to get the nitrate under control is a good idea 2. I would build a large sump. If you have a glass tank that is big enough and fits under your stand, adding baffles is easy. Get the glass cut at a window shop or you can cut yourself if you are comfortable doing it. Silicone them in with GE 2 silicone. Simple inexpensive sump

04/21/2012, 01:13 AM	#3
BriggsReef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Easthampton Ma Posts: 226	As far as a wet/dry i don't really think i'd use one. If money wasn't really an issue i'd set up a nice Sump/Fuge area under my tank instead with a really nice skimmer and a GFO/Carbon reactor.

04/21/2012, 01:18 AM	#5
picarho Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Jacksonville, Florida, USA Posts: 45	Yeah, I figured the water change would help. And I can probably fit a 40-50 gallon tank under the stand, its roomy. But I already have a 30. I might shop on Craigslist and see what I can find later though. Thanks for the info! I'm sure the wet/dry alone will suffice for the cycle process. That's the plan anyways. Like i said I'm in no big hurry. I also live in an apt complex and when my lease is up in November I plan on moving into a house... So the less i have the better

04/21/2012, 01:21 AM	#6
picarho Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Jacksonville, Florida, USA Posts: 45	I have alot more research to do for the sump components. I hear the microalgea can be hard to maintain? That's what the guy told me today that is selling me the tank anyways.

04/21/2012, 01:22 AM	#7
Darth Vedder Sith Lord Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Saint Charles, MO Posts: 481	Your 30 gallon could make a fine sump, just plan your baffles to make sure ou can fit your skimmer, and have the right depth for said skimmer in that chamber

04/21/2012, 01:48 AM	#8
picarho Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Jacksonville, Florida, USA Posts: 45	Okay thanks again. I'm sure ill have more question as I go along but most are answered somewhere on this fourm.