Newbie

jim201 · 09/13/2011, 02:03 PM

Hello all, I am reletively new to the world of reef tanks. My two questions I need answered if you would be so kind are:

1. for a background, is it ok if I spraypaint the exterior of the tank?
2. Will a canister filter be suitable for a reef setup. I know a sump will work best but I am against the idea of a sump. Please let me know ASAP as I am setting up now!

Jim

Musing.Dog · 09/13/2011, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim201

Hello all, I am reletively new to the world of reef tanks. My two questions I need answered if you would be so kind are:

1. for a background, is it ok if I spraypaint the exterior of the tank?
2. Will a canister filter be suitable for a reef setup. I know a sump will work best but I am against the idea of a sump. Please let me know ASAP as I am setting up now!

Jim

Spraypainted exteriors are very common and perfectly acceptable. There's a few Black Vs. Blue threads around too.

The general consensus on canisters is that they facilitate nitrate production by trapping debris. Plenty of people still use them though. Most people will probably say it's up to you but if you do use it, clean it frequently.

jim201 · 09/13/2011, 02:31 PM

Ok great, I will paint the back. I dont like the backgrounds becasue you then have to worry about getting all the air out, using oil, etc.

I am pretty anal about keeping things clean. I actually change my filters wayyyy before they ever need to be. I think I am going to go canister route as it seems simple and effective under the proper maintenance. Does anyone know about the Aquatops? are they garbage?

dzfish17 · 09/13/2011, 02:44 PM

You would be better off setting the tank up with LR and a good HOB skimmer. I would forgo the canister filter and spend that money on some good powerheads.

jim201 · 09/13/2011, 02:45 PM

LR? I am not good with the terminology or abbreviations, sorry man. Explain?

dzfish17 · 09/13/2011, 02:47 PM

Live Rock.

jim201 · 09/13/2011, 02:50 PM

gotcha, I am planning on putting 60 lbs of live rock and live sand.

dzfish17 · 09/13/2011, 02:51 PM

All of your biological filtration is handled by the live rock. With a protein skimmer you pull dissolved organic compounds (waste) out of the tank.

jim201 · 09/13/2011, 02:54 PM

ok great, I will set it up and send you guys some pics. I am not going to go nuts, I like a moderate amount of soft corals and not too many fish. Anything else you can think of that I may need?

dzfish17 · 09/13/2011, 02:59 PM

What size is your tank?

jim201 · 09/13/2011, 02:59 PM

55 gal

sergebmw2 · 09/13/2011, 03:00 PM

Plus 1 on the hob protein skimmer. Will save u tons of frustrations along the way with just a canister filter.

---
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=45.690551,-122.623128

sergebmw2 · 09/13/2011, 03:01 PM

One q y r u agains a sump ? I respect if u don't like it

---
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=45.690578,-122.623184

jim201 · 09/13/2011, 03:09 PM

I am not set on the potential for overflow, I like things compact, neat, organized. I feel that once I get into a sump, although better, I will have to do some more maitnance if I move the tank.....

jim201 · 09/14/2011, 09:44 AM

I have another quesiton, what do you guys think of an Aquatop CF400 filter?

09/13/2011, 02:03 PM	#1
jim201 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 8	Newbie Hello all, I am reletively new to the world of reef tanks. My two questions I need answered if you would be so kind are: 1. for a background, is it ok if I spraypaint the exterior of the tank? 2. Will a canister filter be suitable for a reef setup. I know a sump will work best but I am against the idea of a sump. Please let me know ASAP as I am setting up now! Jim

09/13/2011, 02:44 PM	#4
dzfish17 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Fresno,Ca. Posts: 2,545	You would be better off setting the tank up with LR and a good HOB skimmer. I would forgo the canister filter and spend that money on some good powerheads. __________________ 600g (96x36x46) FOWLR

09/13/2011, 02:47 PM	#6
dzfish17 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Fresno,Ca. Posts: 2,545	Live Rock. __________________ 600g (96x36x46) FOWLR

09/13/2011, 02:51 PM	#8
dzfish17 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Fresno,Ca. Posts: 2,545	All of your biological filtration is handled by the live rock. With a protein skimmer you pull dissolved organic compounds (waste) out of the tank. __________________ 600g (96x36x46) FOWLR

09/13/2011, 02:59 PM	#10
dzfish17 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Fresno,Ca. Posts: 2,545	What size is your tank? __________________ 600g (96x36x46) FOWLR

09/13/2011, 02:31 PM	#3
jim201 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 8	Ok great, I will paint the back. I dont like the backgrounds becasue you then have to worry about getting all the air out, using oil, etc. I am pretty anal about keeping things clean. I actually change my filters wayyyy before they ever need to be. I think I am going to go canister route as it seems simple and effective under the proper maintenance. Does anyone know about the Aquatops? are they garbage?

09/13/2011, 02:45 PM	#5
jim201 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 8	LR? I am not good with the terminology or abbreviations, sorry man. Explain?

09/13/2011, 02:50 PM	#7
jim201 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 8	gotcha, I am planning on putting 60 lbs of live rock and live sand.

09/13/2011, 02:54 PM	#9
jim201 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 8	ok great, I will set it up and send you guys some pics. I am not going to go nuts, I like a moderate amount of soft corals and not too many fish. Anything else you can think of that I may need?

09/13/2011, 03:00 PM	#12
sergebmw2 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 80	Plus 1 on the hob protein skimmer. Will save u tons of frustrations along the way with just a canister filter. --- I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=45.690551,-122.623128

09/13/2011, 03:01 PM	#13
sergebmw2 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 80	One q y r u agains a sump ? I respect if u don't like it --- I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=45.690578,-122.623184

09/13/2011, 03:09 PM	#14
jim201 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 8	I am not set on the potential for overflow, I like things compact, neat, organized. I feel that once I get into a sump, although better, I will have to do some more maitnance if I move the tank.....

09/14/2011, 09:44 AM	#15
jim201 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 8	I have another quesiton, what do you guys think of an Aquatop CF400 filter?

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