New to the Hobby - In need of Help

MattnBonnie · 02/27/2012, 02:05 PM

I have a new tank set up 11 September 2011, I have several questions but... I will start of with a little at a time

My Tank is 110 with about 120+ live rock and live sand. I have the reef ready system with the sump, which is only two sections.... I think I should have bought a different sump anyway... I bought the sytem new and as a complete set.

I set it up according to the store and use several different filtes to include the bio balls... which I have been advised now is not a good thing

1. Question I have the two blowers at the top to filter the water - one of each side and the water that flows back in from the sump creating circulation. The filter 1st used is a polyfilter then a cotton filter that then goes onto the bioballs... the running into the second tank where it is then sucked back to the tank....

I currently have 4 filters and my water always seems to have stuff blowing back into it. Sometimes like sand and sometimes like small air bubbles... then sometimes just yuck stuff. I will take a pic later today when I get home.

Bascially I think there might be a better way to set up my tank but dont know how.

2. Looking into a new way to get saltwater, buying the DI at the store then adding the correct salt... is this all it takes? I am currently buying water and its very expensive.

Again I can take pics of the tank for better information but seems like it should be a little more clear with less particles floating.

I also currently have several snails and crabs as well as three med size fish and 4 small ones, 3 cleaner shrimp, some peppermint shrimp and a few coral, Brain, zoas, mushrooms and three other stoney corals I have no idea what the names are. and and also a decorator crab and horseshoe crab.

reefnewbie83177 · 02/27/2012, 02:11 PM

I am also a noob, but I can say something about the water. Invest in an RO/DI filter. I think I got mine from Purely H2O (Optima Professional) for $150. It does 75 gallons/day which is more than enough except on the initial fill up it took a while, but with my 10% water changes of 10 gallons it is plenty. I have a line run about 75 feet to my tank attached to an DIY ATO. Works perfect and will certainly pay for itself in no time.

Good luck and happy reefing

yh1185 · 02/27/2012, 02:18 PM

Not sure about 1, but for 2, i'd look into buying a RODI system. You can look up good ones on the forum, but for like 100$ or a lil more you can get pretty solid systems, and just store your own RODI, and mix it with salt yourself.

sporto0 · 02/27/2012, 02:27 PM

The wet/dry/sump filter system is only good for biological filtration & maybe you could argue chemical filtration as well, but they are not very good at removing floating particles or what is referred to as "mechanical" filtration, I would buy an Aquaclear 110 HOB filter, this will take care of floating debris, give you a place to run carbon, purigen etc. & also provide good surface agitation for gas exchange. As far as your bio balls are concerned, they are very effecient when it comes to the nitrogen cycle, they just need rinsed off every 4-6 months, you should only rinse 1/3 or 1/2 at a time & then repeat until you have rinsed them all.

If you plan on staying in the hobby, an RO/DI filter is pretty much a must & $159-$180 will get you a good 4 stage system, it's worth every penny, mine is almost 16 years old now.

MattnBonnie · 03/01/2012, 09:35 PM

Sorry it took me a while, I am learning how to use this forum and I did not think this posted. I will check into the RO/DI system I think it would be much easier than going to the store all the time

sporto0 Good to know about the BIOballs I have not been told that to this point. I guess the wet/dry/sump you are referring to is what I have. I will have to do some research on the Aquaclear 110 HOB filer as far as what it does well I dont even know what it is lol but sounds like it might be a very good plan. I dont mind spending the money to have a great tank.. which is what I thought I did in the beginning but Im learning as I go. I want to get the tank working and looking great but the rough start is wearing me down... Thank you so much for all the help!

BurntOutReefer · 03/01/2012, 10:36 PM

good advice on the aq 110......strange that your overflow doesnt pick-up all the floaters thou.....

02/27/2012, 02:05 PM	#1
MattnBonnie Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Choctaw Posts: 18	New to the Hobby - In need of Help I have a new tank set up 11 September 2011, I have several questions but... I will start of with a little at a time My Tank is 110 with about 120+ live rock and live sand. I have the reef ready system with the sump, which is only two sections.... I think I should have bought a different sump anyway... I bought the sytem new and as a complete set. I set it up according to the store and use several different filtes to include the bio balls... which I have been advised now is not a good thing 1. Question I have the two blowers at the top to filter the water - one of each side and the water that flows back in from the sump creating circulation. The filter 1st used is a polyfilter then a cotton filter that then goes onto the bioballs... the running into the second tank where it is then sucked back to the tank.... I currently have 4 filters and my water always seems to have stuff blowing back into it. Sometimes like sand and sometimes like small air bubbles... then sometimes just yuck stuff. I will take a pic later today when I get home. Bascially I think there might be a better way to set up my tank but dont know how. 2. Looking into a new way to get saltwater, buying the DI at the store then adding the correct salt... is this all it takes? I am currently buying water and its very expensive. Again I can take pics of the tank for better information but seems like it should be a little more clear with less particles floating. I also currently have several snails and crabs as well as three med size fish and 4 small ones, 3 cleaner shrimp, some peppermint shrimp and a few coral, Brain, zoas, mushrooms and three other stoney corals I have no idea what the names are. and and also a decorator crab and horseshoe crab.

02/27/2012, 02:18 PM	#3
yh1185 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Jersey Posts: 279	Not sure about 1, but for 2, i'd look into buying a RODI system. You can look up good ones on the forum, but for like 100$ or a lil more you can get pretty solid systems, and just store your own RODI, and mix it with salt yourself. __________________ 40b, bh2000 skimmer, 48X3w Cree LED Eshine Systems with a sun-rise/set controller. 2X750gph koralia evolution powerheads

02/27/2012, 02:11 PM	#2
reefnewbie83177 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 200	I am also a noob, but I can say something about the water. Invest in an RO/DI filter. I think I got mine from Purely H2O (Optima Professional) for $150. It does 75 gallons/day which is more than enough except on the initial fill up it took a while, but with my 10% water changes of 10 gallons it is plenty. I have a line run about 75 feet to my tank attached to an DIY ATO. Works perfect and will certainly pay for itself in no time. Good luck and happy reefing

02/27/2012, 02:27 PM	#4
sporto0 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa. Posts: 2,924	The wet/dry/sump filter system is only good for biological filtration & maybe you could argue chemical filtration as well, but they are not very good at removing floating particles or what is referred to as "mechanical" filtration, I would buy an Aquaclear 110 HOB filter, this will take care of floating debris, give you a place to run carbon, purigen etc. & also provide good surface agitation for gas exchange. As far as your bio balls are concerned, they are very effecient when it comes to the nitrogen cycle, they just need rinsed off every 4-6 months, you should only rinse 1/3 or 1/2 at a time & then repeat until you have rinsed them all. If you plan on staying in the hobby, an RO/DI filter is pretty much a must & $159-$180 will get you a good 4 stage system, it's worth every penny, mine is almost 16 years old now.

03/01/2012, 09:35 PM	#5
MattnBonnie Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Choctaw Posts: 18	Sorry it took me a while, I am learning how to use this forum and I did not think this posted. I will check into the RO/DI system I think it would be much easier than going to the store all the time sporto0 Good to know about the BIOballs I have not been told that to this point. I guess the wet/dry/sump you are referring to is what I have. I will have to do some research on the Aquaclear 110 HOB filer as far as what it does well I dont even know what it is lol but sounds like it might be a very good plan. I dont mind spending the money to have a great tank.. which is what I thought I did in the beginning but Im learning as I go. I want to get the tank working and looking great but the rough start is wearing me down... Thank you so much for all the help!

03/01/2012, 10:36 PM	#6
BurntOutReefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Granada Hills Posts: 4,376	good advice on the aq 110......strange that your overflow doesnt pick-up all the floaters thou.....