My first saltwater setup...

tblake · 04/21/2010, 07:12 PM

So I've done my reading and I think I'm ready to get wet. My plan is for a fish only tank. I'm going to start with some soaked and cured homemade agrocrete rocks. I'll run it with an over the back diy overflow box through a depot bucket of bioballs and DIY snailman style skimmer. Through a sump with bubble trap back to the top at about 225 gph. My plan is to plumb the system to allow a coil denitrifier later if necessary. I'll also have a powerhead in the display tank connected to the overflow for siphon protection. Lighting will be with 2 48" T12 40W fluorescents. Later when I want to add inverts, I'll add to the lighting.
My motivation for so much DIY? I figured I can do it cheaper on most of the parts. If not cheaper, at least I am intimately familiar with how it works.
I also plan on doing a long cycle with all the testings for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. Probably only have a couple small fish. I live right on the coast so those will probably be self caught damsel fish if not store bought.
Sound like I have everything livable?

tblake · 04/21/2010, 07:26 PM

All that and I forgot to mention... it's a 55 gallon with a 15 gallon sump.

Sisterlimonpot · 04/21/2010, 07:26 PM

To Reef Central
have you really done your reading?

I ask because you mention bioballs and damsels......

Sisterlimonpot · 04/21/2010, 07:29 PM

P.S. when making your own rock PH is going to be a huge factor for you as well. It may be a loonnnggg cycle.

tblake · 04/21/2010, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sisterlimonpot

I ask because you mention bioballs and damsels......

Bioballs for a wetdry medium on the way to the return pump.
Damsels for an ammonia source to get the cycle started. Damsels in particular because from what I understand they are pretty hardy and I am can catch my own with a net and snorkel without too much trouble.
Suggestions for a better route?

jenjen · 04/22/2010, 03:02 PM

Bioballs are typically not recommended because without proper care they can be a trap for detrius and cause excess nitrate in the system. Since they're not required as long as you have sufficient rock in the system, it's usually less troublesome to go without them.

Damsels are hardy, but it's still hard on a fish to endure an ammonia spike. A more humane way to cycle a tank is either letting it cycle naturally (works well if you use good live rock) or by adding an alternate ammonia source (ie: raw shrimp, fish food). If you want damsels in your tank, wait until the cycle is complete before adding them.

Sisterlimonpot · 04/22/2010, 03:28 PM

Sounds like the information that you have been reading is way outdated (almost sounds like you have been on the garf site), this used to be the way thing were done but through great minds coming up with better and humane ways of doing things, the hobby has gotten away from using bioballs and cycling a tank with hardy fish. I would suggest reading through this information. It will bring you up to speed. Good luck with your new tank.

tblake · 04/23/2010, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sisterlimonpot

I would suggest reading through this information. It will bring you up to speed. Good luck with your new tank.

Took your suggestion. With that new found knowledge I will be ditching the bioballs and increasing the depth of my sandbed. I know there are some tight laws in Florida about harvesting live rock with out licenses and leases and such. Anybody know of a law that says I can't fill a bucket with live sand?

The live rock recommended 2 lbs/gallon at $4-$8/lb means I'm spending $440 to $800 in live rock. That was my main motivator on making rock and seeding with several pounds of store bought live rock. I know that creates a longer cycle but I have patience.

The way I understand WaterKeeper's thread is that with a properly functioning sand bed, live rock, skimmer system, life takes care of itself. All I have to do is monitor the nitrogen cycle, pH, and do water changes/topoffs. How hard could that possibly be?

mihamlet · 05/26/2010, 10:53 AM

Live rock can be expensive. You can try local reef forums though, often people are taking down their tanks and sell their live rock local for cheaper.

04/21/2010, 07:12 PM	#1
tblake Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 13	My first saltwater setup... So I've done my reading and I think I'm ready to get wet. My plan is for a fish only tank. I'm going to start with some soaked and cured homemade agrocrete rocks. I'll run it with an over the back diy overflow box through a depot bucket of bioballs and DIY snailman style skimmer. Through a sump with bubble trap back to the top at about 225 gph. My plan is to plumb the system to allow a coil denitrifier later if necessary. I'll also have a powerhead in the display tank connected to the overflow for siphon protection. Lighting will be with 2 48" T12 40W fluorescents. Later when I want to add inverts, I'll add to the lighting. My motivation for so much DIY? I figured I can do it cheaper on most of the parts. If not cheaper, at least I am intimately familiar with how it works. I also plan on doing a long cycle with all the testings for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. Probably only have a couple small fish. I live right on the coast so those will probably be self caught damsel fish if not store bought. Sound like I have everything livable?

04/21/2010, 07:26 PM	#3
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	*To Reef Central* have you really done your reading? I ask because you mention bioballs and damsels...... __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

04/21/2010, 07:29 PM	#4
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	P.S. when making your own rock PH is going to be a huge factor for you as well. It may be a loonnnggg cycle. __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

04/22/2010, 03:02 PM	#6
jenjen Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Langley BC, Canada Posts: 1,710	Bioballs are typically not recommended because without proper care they can be a trap for detrius and cause excess nitrate in the system. Since they're not required as long as you have sufficient rock in the system, it's usually less troublesome to go without them. Damsels are hardy, but it's still hard on a fish to endure an ammonia spike. A more humane way to cycle a tank is either letting it cycle naturally (works well if you use good live rock) or by adding an alternate ammonia source (ie: raw shrimp, fish food). If you want damsels in your tank, wait until the cycle is complete before adding them. __________________ "Challenges forge the greatness in you" Current Tank Info: 180gal softy reef (Apr '09)

04/22/2010, 03:28 PM	#7
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	Sounds like the information that you have been reading is way outdated (almost sounds like you have been on the garf site), this used to be the way thing were done but through great minds coming up with better and humane ways of doing things, the hobby has gotten away from using bioballs and cycling a tank with hardy fish. I would suggest reading through this information. It will bring you up to speed. Good luck with your new tank. __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

05/26/2010, 10:53 AM	#9
mihamlet Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 52	Live rock can be expensive. You can try local reef forums though, often people are taking down their tanks and sell their live rock local for cheaper.