Converting from Planted tanks

[bcarl77]

FWIW here is the list I have going for what I would need, I have an RO/DI already. What am I missing???
Light-$350
HOB skimmer-$150
Heater-$50
Thermometer-$20
Refractometer-$40
Submersible Pump or HOB-$50
Cirulation Pump-1/Wavemaker 100
Dosing Pumps-$150
ATO-$150
Salt-$75
Sand $50
Rock-$100
Coral-$200
Fish-$200
Light mount-$50
Tank-40gal-$60
Test kits-$100
Misc Supplies-$100

[newbie2014]

Originally Posted by bcarl77

Newb question, why do I need a reactor? Wouldn't I be fine with a skimmer, HOB, and a wavemaker?

GFO media is used to bind dissolved PO4 to clean up the water and minimize algae growth. Meaning you can let the tank go with less frequent water change. Skimmer also takes out a small amount of dissolved phosphate. Depending on your bioload and frequency of the water change, you may not need the skimmer and GFO.

A reactor is a device/container which allows you to run GFO/carbon media a lot more efficiently. You can also the media in a mesh bag and put it in a canister filter. But that won't work nearly well as a reactor.

[ca1ore]

I'd suggest that a really nice planted tank is at least as hard, maybe harder, than a reef tank. Let's see some shots of your plants!

[newbie2014]

Originally Posted by ca1ore

I'd suggest that a really nice planted tank is at least as hard, maybe harder, than a reef tank. Let's see some shots of your plants!

+100. Especially, Amano styled planted tank.

[bcarl77]

Originally Posted by ca1ore

I'd suggest that a really nice planted tank is at least as hard, maybe harder, than a reef tank. Let's see some shots of your plants!

Here is a shot of my current set-up!

[bcarl77]

Originally Posted by newbie2014

GFO media is used to bind dissolved PO4 to clean up the water and minimize algae growth. Meaning you can let the tank go with less frequent water change. Skimmer also takes out a small amount of dissolved phosphate. Depending on your bioload and frequency of the water change, you may not need the skimmer and GFO.

A reactor is a device/container which allows you to run GFO/carbon media a lot more efficiently. You can also the media in a mesh bag and put it in a canister filter. But that won't work nearly well as a reactor.

Gotcha, so I can run with-out one but need to consider it down the road from what it sounds like...

[newbie2014]

Originally Posted by bcarl77

Gotcha, so I can run with-out one but need to consider it down the road from what it sounds like...

Exactly. Monitor how good you can manage excess nutrients (in the water) and algae growth with water changes, then, decide if you want to implement GFO or not.

In the beginning, I was using an Aquaclear 110 for mechanical (filtration) and carbon. Then, I switched to an Eheim canister for filtration and GFO. That and 20% water change per week didn't help minimize algae growth. Finally I ditched the filter, and added a GFO reactor. I use the reactor for both GFO and carbon. Now my P04 stay around 0.05ppm (Hanna HI736) for 3-4 weeks before water change.

[newbie2014]

Originally Posted by bcarl77

Here is a shot of my current set-up!

Nice and clean setup. I really like (and wanted) the glass lily pipe and C02 diffuser.

[ca1ore]

Nice. The Amano approach was just starting here as I was getting out of planted tanks. I went for the 'impenetrable thicket' approach . Got an old pic of the tank floating around here on RC somewhere.

[Turbomark]

I got my start with a super simple setup on a 20 long. When first setup I had a aquaclear 70 with an in-tank media basket running purigen and chemipure elite. Lighting was a Chinese black box, and simple Jager heater. With some good live rock I successfully kept softies, some LPS, some sps, a bicolor blenny, and a few clowns for 4 years. Eventually I ditched the aquaclear and put on an eshopps hob skimmer and actually moved down to a smaller hob filter. Circulation was initially a leftover pump from a freshwater tank, that was upgraded to a koralia nano, and then a jebao wavemaker. Simple 5 gallon weekly changes and I had zero major issues. I'd say my initial outlay for the entire setup wasn't more than $400.

I actually am in the process of upgrading to a 40 breeder with a 20l sump. Mostly for the slightly larger size but also to be able to run more equipment in the sump (bigger skimmer, fuge, dosing pumps, etc.)

Pics of 20l and new 40b.


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[newbie2014]

Originally Posted by ca1ore

Nice. The Amano approach was just starting here as I was getting out of planted tanks.

.

Yeah, his aquascape style is truly mesmerizing.

I went for the 'impenetrable thicket' approach

That's pretty much what my planted tank looked like. As such, I was also able to breed South American cichlids (blue rams and Panduro).

Sorry for veering off track

[bcarl77]

Originally Posted by newbie2014

.

Yeah, his aquascape style is truly mesmerizing.


That's pretty much what my planted tank looked like. As such, I was also able to breed South American cichlids (blue rams and Panduro).

Sorry for veering off track

Yeah there are some crazy planted tanks out there, that's for sure. I attended Reef-A-Palooza today since it was only a few hours away. Learned a whole bunch. I will say I do really like the IM tanks with the back compartment to use for filtration and such.