New Tank Questions

douggusler · 05/18/2007, 09:40 AM

Just bought a 90 gallon complete setup online. Only paid 350 for it. But the previous owner has a wet/dry filter on it now with 29 gallon sump and built in protein skimmer, Also he has a filter hanging over the edge in back and an undergravel filter setup as well. Is all this necc? Could i do just the wet/dry and would it provide enough flitration. Also can i put the heater inside the sump. It is in the tank now but i want to get it out of it so the tank looks better. It is a pre-drilled tank. There is about 60 pounds of live rock, how long will it take to get stuff to grow on it once i set-up the tank again. Thank you to anyone who reads and responds. I am trying to find out as much as possible before i set-up this tank tommorow.

seapug · 05/18/2007, 11:17 AM

sounds like a nice buy. Keep the sump setup, remove the biomedia and set up a small DSB refugium in one compartment if you have the space. Put the heater in the sump, remove the powerfilter and undergravel filter and you're good to go. If the live rock is kept submerged during transport you could be up and running very quickly. Regardless, don't be in too much of a rush. Just set it up, fill it and let it run and settle for a couple weeks then test the water to see what the next steps should be.

douggusler · 05/18/2007, 11:29 AM

Ok, I am glad i can remove all that stuff. Now biomedia sorry i am new in this area. Do you mean take out all the bio balls in the sump. If so then what else should i put in there to replace. I have 40 gallon totes to put the water in along with the rock he has for the 45 minute drive i have to take it. There are two powerheads on each part of the undergravel filter. Should i keep one powerhead in the tank to keep good movement in the water, or should it be enough with it drilled and water going through the sump. Thank you very much for the info. This site is helping me understand saltwater much better.

douggusler · 05/18/2007, 04:55 PM

Posted this morning but only one response. Anyone who knows these answers ifpossible help me. I just purchased 90 gallon tank with complete setup fish rock sump and all. Pre-drilled tank wet/dry filter, it is a 29 gallon sump tank with bio balls and built in skimmer. He has undergravel filter and another filter with two powerheads in tank. I found out I could take out extra hang on filter and also was told i could take out the undergravel filter and this would be ok. If anyone else has opinion on that let me know if you think different. Also it has like 3 in bed of crushed coral. I read on here that crushed coral is not good. If i am taking the undergravel out should i put live sand in instead?? Also I am not sure the quality of lights or skimmer in the tank now. In the top there are 3 48" lights set up one is white and the two others have a blue look to them. If anyone can tell me where to check what kind of lights they are and if i need better ones, same goes for the skimmer how do I know if it is big enough for the tank??Now it has 6 Damsels in it with 60 pounds of Figi Rock. Should i have more rock in there?? I am not goin to do all kinds of corals in here, I dont really have the time to maintane all that. I only spent 350 on the setup beacuse the guy needed the money for some bills. It is still at his house i am bringing home soon but before i set up i am trying to find out as much as possible. Sorry this was so long if you read the whole thing any info on this would be greatly appreciated. THANK YOU in advance

Ricepicker · 05/18/2007, 07:03 PM

take out the bioballs, you dont need that.... dont use undergravel, that useless too

if you can, remove the crushed coral and put in 1" bed of aragonite

if ur just running a FOWLR (fish only with live rock), u dont need goo d lights, sound like he just has regular flurorecents on here.

any filter that is built into the sump is probably a crap skimm, but don't worry about that right now

use the powerhead from the undergravel for water flow, the key is to keep flow up, makes everything else easier, ask more questions as they appear.

it sounds like this person has a oldschool salt tank, probably something he started in the 90's....

coralmkr · 05/18/2007, 07:51 PM

Take the bio-balls out..or you will have nitrate factory. I also love DSB.

surfjeepzx · 05/19/2007, 01:20 PM

First of all, please know that for every question you will get different opinions on what will work best. That being said there are many established ways of setting up a tank that are known to work and many that are known to cause problems.

The bioballs have to go. The undergravel filter with the crushed coral will work and there are several successful tanks out there with this method of filtration, but the general consensus is to go without it. I would rinse the crushed coral and reuse it. I ran a very healthy reef for 6 years using crushed coral. I now have sand and sometimes wish I had kept the crushed coral.

The sump with the skimmer alone for a fish only with live rock (FOWLR) will be sufficient. With regular water changes you could get away without introducing a refugium. That means you take everything out of the sump except the skimmer, heater, and return pump. Since the skimmer is built in I would imagine it should be in the area where the water dumps into the sump. The return pump should be seperated from the water return section and skimmer by a set of baffles. Your bioball sump may not have these so be prepared to make a set. Baffles are dividers that span the width of the sump and force the water under, over, under to remove air bubbles so they don't make it to the display.

You will want to clean the sump and the skimmer prior to restarting the tank. Take the skimmer aprt as much as possible and the pump that powers it. Use a straight solution of white vinegar to clean the parts and pieces. If you choose to remove the undergravel system, keep the pumps and use them to recirculate water in the tank.

The liverock (LR) can be transported without water. You'll want to cover the LR with wet towels or newspaper. If you can submerge it during transport then fine, but it's not essential.

The lights may or may not be fine. You need to report back with the type of bulbs and ballast, and the age of the lights. It does matter because regardless of whether you have FOWLR if the bulbs are the wrong type and/or are old they will promote algae growth.

These are the basics and should keep you busy for a while. Good luck

douggusler · 05/20/2007, 09:23 AM

Thank you so much surf. Your right though i will be busy for a while now. I am bringing it home in the morn so i will in there all day with this tank. I have a much better plan on what to do now.

05/18/2007, 09:40 AM	#1
douggusler Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 19	New Tank Questions Just bought a 90 gallon complete setup online. Only paid 350 for it. But the previous owner has a wet/dry filter on it now with 29 gallon sump and built in protein skimmer, Also he has a filter hanging over the edge in back and an undergravel filter setup as well. Is all this necc? Could i do just the wet/dry and would it provide enough flitration. Also can i put the heater inside the sump. It is in the tank now but i want to get it out of it so the tank looks better. It is a pre-drilled tank. There is about 60 pounds of live rock, how long will it take to get stuff to grow on it once i set-up the tank again. Thank you to anyone who reads and responds. I am trying to find out as much as possible before i set-up this tank tommorow.

05/18/2007, 11:17 AM	#2
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	sounds like a nice buy. Keep the sump setup, remove the biomedia and set up a small DSB refugium in one compartment if you have the space. Put the heater in the sump, remove the powerfilter and undergravel filter and you're good to go. If the live rock is kept submerged during transport you could be up and running very quickly. Regardless, don't be in too much of a rush. Just set it up, fill it and let it run and settle for a couple weeks then test the water to see what the next steps should be. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

05/18/2007, 04:55 PM	#4
douggusler Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 19	Please answer anyone?? Posted this morning but only one response. Anyone who knows these answers ifpossible help me. I just purchased 90 gallon tank with complete setup fish rock sump and all. Pre-drilled tank wet/dry filter, it is a 29 gallon sump tank with bio balls and built in skimmer. He has undergravel filter and another filter with two powerheads in tank. I found out I could take out extra hang on filter and also was told i could take out the undergravel filter and this would be ok. If anyone else has opinion on that let me know if you think different. Also it has like 3 in bed of crushed coral. I read on here that crushed coral is not good. If i am taking the undergravel out should i put live sand in instead?? Also I am not sure the quality of lights or skimmer in the tank now. In the top there are 3 48" lights set up one is white and the two others have a blue look to them. If anyone can tell me where to check what kind of lights they are and if i need better ones, same goes for the skimmer how do I know if it is big enough for the tank??Now it has 6 Damsels in it with 60 pounds of Figi Rock. Should i have more rock in there?? I am not goin to do all kinds of corals in here, I dont really have the time to maintane all that. I only spent 350 on the setup beacuse the guy needed the money for some bills. It is still at his house i am bringing home soon but before i set up i am trying to find out as much as possible. Sorry this was so long if you read the whole thing any info on this would be greatly appreciated. THANK YOU in advance

05/18/2007, 07:03 PM	#5
Ricepicker Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Hamilton, Ontario Posts: 146	take out the bioballs, you dont need that.... dont use undergravel, that useless too if you can, remove the crushed coral and put in 1" bed of aragonite if ur just running a FOWLR (fish only with live rock), u dont need goo d lights, sound like he just has regular flurorecents on here. any filter that is built into the sump is probably a crap skimm, but don't worry about that right now use the powerhead from the undergravel for water flow, the key is to keep flow up, makes everything else easier, ask more questions as they appear. it sounds like this person has a oldschool salt tank, probably something he started in the 90's.... __________________ It's because I don't touch it. 25g Mixed reef (36x12x12) 250W 14000K HQI

05/18/2007, 11:29 AM	#3
douggusler Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 19	Ok, I am glad i can remove all that stuff. Now biomedia sorry i am new in this area. Do you mean take out all the bio balls in the sump. If so then what else should i put in there to replace. I have 40 gallon totes to put the water in along with the rock he has for the 45 minute drive i have to take it. There are two powerheads on each part of the undergravel filter. Should i keep one powerhead in the tank to keep good movement in the water, or should it be enough with it drilled and water going through the sump. Thank you very much for the info. This site is helping me understand saltwater much better.

05/18/2007, 07:51 PM	#6
coralmkr Moved On Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Long Island - NY Posts: 103	Take the bio-balls out..or you will have nitrate factory. I also love DSB.

05/19/2007, 01:20 PM	#7
surfjeepzx Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Wilbur by the Sea, FL Posts: 842	First of all, please know that for every question you will get different opinions on what will work best. That being said there are many established ways of setting up a tank that are known to work and many that are known to cause problems. The bioballs have to go. The undergravel filter with the crushed coral will work and there are several successful tanks out there with this method of filtration, but the general consensus is to go without it. I would rinse the crushed coral and reuse it. I ran a very healthy reef for 6 years using crushed coral. I now have sand and sometimes wish I had kept the crushed coral. The sump with the skimmer alone for a fish only with live rock (FOWLR) will be sufficient. With regular water changes you could get away without introducing a refugium. That means you take everything out of the sump except the skimmer, heater, and return pump. Since the skimmer is built in I would imagine it should be in the area where the water dumps into the sump. The return pump should be seperated from the water return section and skimmer by a set of baffles. Your bioball sump may not have these so be prepared to make a set. Baffles are dividers that span the width of the sump and force the water under, over, under to remove air bubbles so they don't make it to the display. You will want to clean the sump and the skimmer prior to restarting the tank. Take the skimmer aprt as much as possible and the pump that powers it. Use a straight solution of white vinegar to clean the parts and pieces. If you choose to remove the undergravel system, keep the pumps and use them to recirculate water in the tank. The liverock (LR) can be transported without water. You'll want to cover the LR with wet towels or newspaper. If you can submerge it during transport then fine, but it's not essential. The lights may or may not be fine. You need to report back with the type of bulbs and ballast, and the age of the lights. It does matter because regardless of whether you have FOWLR if the bulbs are the wrong type and/or are old they will promote algae growth. These are the basics and should keep you busy for a while. Good luck

05/20/2007, 09:23 AM	#8
douggusler Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 19	Thank you so much surf. Your right though i will be busy for a while now. I am bringing it home in the morn so i will in there all day with this tank. I have a much better plan on what to do now.