Newbie Tank Help

Skelly91 · 03/02/2009, 12:30 PM

hey

im just starting up on this rather complicatd hobby, iv spent loads of time reading up on marine aquariums and iv already set my heart on a 161 gallon tank. i was wondering if anyone had an idea on the size of sump i should use and any skimmer suggestions.

any help will be highly appreciated, thanks for your time

skelly

matt880305 · 03/02/2009, 12:38 PM

well with the sump it all depends on the amount of space you have and also if you want a fuge or not. and the skimmer i would go with the reef octo Extreme http://www.aquacave.com/reef-octopus...lvue-2201.html

Skelly91 · 03/02/2009, 12:58 PM

thanks for that, well to be honest i didnt have a refugium in the plan, how beneficial would it be to tank that size?

nikon187 · 03/02/2009, 01:53 PM

A fuge is always good ( especially if you are wanting mandarines) Most people say to have a sump a third the size of the display tank ( 50-60g would be fine) but you can put as big a sump that will fit in the space and have more total water volume.

Skelly91 · 03/02/2009, 01:59 PM

thanks for that, well i want a mandarin but was told you should have your tank running for about a year to let it mature enough for one of those.

thanks alot for the help.

alextheromanian · 03/02/2009, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skelly91
thanks for that, well i want a mandarin but was told you should have your tank running for about a year to let it mature enough for one of those.

thanks alot for the help.

i bought a mandarin after 8 months and had about 15lbs of rock and i have to tell you i had to return it...i guess it didnt eat enough ...i also didnt have a fuge or sump

id leave mandarins for last...they seem to be the kind of fish that thrive is a tank that is as close to its natural environment.

good luck

look for a skimmer rated for alteast one and a half your tank size...they tend to be OVERrated

in other words if you have a 55g dont get a 60g skimmer...go with maybe 100-120

Skelly91 · 03/02/2009, 03:03 PM

thanks, well i am going to go with the sump but i dont think i will bother with a fuge unless i need one.

i cant wait to get started, i would order everything tomorrow if there werent so much to learn....

epdp14 · 03/02/2009, 03:32 PM

I started without a fuge in my new aquarium but soon added one. It helps control the nitrate levels by allowing a safe place for the macro algae to grow. It also serves as a great place for pods to breed and feed the main tank.

0b1 · 03/02/2009, 03:33 PM

Get the biggest sump you can, I have mine in the basement so I can't hear anything and it is easy to get to everything. If you need the sump under your tank you can't really do all of that. you can always add the fuge in later, just leave the option and some space to plumb it in.

Skelly91 · 03/02/2009, 03:38 PM

it does have some good advantages but im still unsure, if i have the available room i might consider it.

thanks for the help

03/02/2009, 12:30 PM	#1
Skelly91 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: England Posts: 8	Newbie Tank Help hey im just starting up on this rather complicatd hobby, iv spent loads of time reading up on marine aquariums and iv already set my heart on a 161 gallon tank. i was wondering if anyone had an idea on the size of sump i should use and any skimmer suggestions. any help will be highly appreciated, thanks for your time skelly

03/02/2009, 01:53 PM	#4
nikon187 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 4,717	A fuge is always good ( especially if you are wanting mandarines) Most people say to have a sump a third the size of the display tank ( 50-60g would be fine) but you can put as big a sump that will fit in the space and have more total water volume. __________________ ----------------- Current Tanks: New 210 custom 84 x 24 x 24, 60g sump, SWC 250 extreme with bubble blaster 5000, 2 vortech mp40, 2 vortech mp10, 12 T5, Water blaster 5000, warner marine bio pellets, 60g clownfish cube, red carpet anemone with a 25g sump,SRO octopus 1000sss, 250w radium, lumenarc large.

03/02/2009, 03:32 PM	#8
epdp14 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Peoria, IL Posts: 36	I started without a fuge in my new aquarium but soon added one. It helps control the nitrate levels by allowing a safe place for the macro algae to grow. It also serves as a great place for pods to breed and feed the main tank. __________________ Gallery located at danpenning.com Current Tank Info: 55g mixed reef, T5s, 30g sump, 3g refugium

03/02/2009, 12:38 PM	#2
matt880305 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: montgomery, il Posts: 844	well with the sump it all depends on the amount of space you have and also if you want a fuge or not. and the skimmer i would go with the reef octo Extreme http://www.aquacave.com/reef-octopus...lvue-2201.html

03/02/2009, 12:58 PM	#3
Skelly91 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: England Posts: 8	thanks for that, well to be honest i didnt have a refugium in the plan, how beneficial would it be to tank that size?

03/02/2009, 01:59 PM	#5
Skelly91 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: England Posts: 8	thanks for that, well i want a mandarin but was told you should have your tank running for about a year to let it mature enough for one of those. thanks alot for the help.

03/02/2009, 03:03 PM	#7
Skelly91 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: England Posts: 8	thanks, well i am going to go with the sump but i dont think i will bother with a fuge unless i need one. i cant wait to get started, i would order everything tomorrow if there werent so much to learn....

03/02/2009, 03:33 PM	#9
0b1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Philly Posts: 104	Get the biggest sump you can, I have mine in the basement so I can't hear anything and it is easy to get to everything. If you need the sump under your tank you can't really do all of that. you can always add the fuge in later, just leave the option and some space to plumb it in.

03/02/2009, 03:38 PM	#10
Skelly91 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: England Posts: 8	it does have some good advantages but im still unsure, if i have the available room i might consider it. thanks for the help