New to Salt Tanks - Help 75G Setup

idisc · 11/19/2013, 07:43 PM

Hello Everyone!!

I have been doing freshwater tanks for about 2 years and currently have about 6 of them all african cichlids. I want to turn my 75g into a reef tank. I have and will continue to do as much research as possible to gain as much knowledge as possible.

This tank is not drilled, nor can I get it drilled. With that being said this is what I think I need to get the system going. Please correct and refer me to better ideas ect.. - I am trying to do this low cost, but correct for nice corals.

Tank: 75g
Coral Life T5 - 2x Bulb - 10k each (Is this enough)? Can I put bigger in it?
Filter: AquaClear 110
Overflow Basket: Rated for 125g
Uv sterilizer 10watt
Protein Skimmer: Rated for 125g and pump
2x Maxi Jet 1200 Power Heads
300 Watt Heater
40lbs Bahama Aragonite Sand
50 - 75 Pounds Coral Rock + 10lbs Live Rock (To Seed?)
Reef Test Kit or Salt Water Test Kit (API)
Hydrometer

Guessing I am gonna need a sump? I have been trading my freshwater fish and items for on craigs - not sure how some of this stuff even hooks up, but i'm sure I will be able to figure it out.

I have been reading a ton and some say you can use normal water with prime and most say RO/DI water, what are your thoughts - I don't have a unit yet, but I have someone local that sells RO/DI water.

How big of a bag of salt should I start out with?

Leave my versa tops on tank or take them off?

Anything else you can add - Thank you

Pife · 11/19/2013, 08:14 PM

If you haven't you should start by reading the stickies at the top of this forum. You don't need a sump and it depends on what equipment that you have already. A sump is basically used to add water volume and to put your equipment in.

idisc · 11/19/2013, 08:25 PM

I have yet to pickup the scimmer, but here is a pic of it, looks like it has to go into a sump.

nmbeg · 11/19/2013, 09:13 PM

Equipment list looks good.

Sump is optional--helps to keep clutter away from Display Tank (DT).

RO/DI is a must--everyone here will agree.

The salt bags have gallon sizes on them, for example, 100 gallons, 200 gallons, etc. You really don't need to do water changes during a cycle, so perhaps all you need is 100 gallon bucket to get started? that said, you will quickly need more, for water changes, quarantine tank, etc.

often, tops are left off of tanks to allow maximum light penetration. (the top will just build up salt creep on it). in my experience saltwater fish rarely jump, whereas my freshwater fish used to jump all the time--but maybe that's because i never had more than 10g for them to swim in.

also, for saltwater, you don't need the canister filter. the live rock, live sand, and protein skimmer do all the filtration--canister filters can become a pain, as they require very frequent cleaning. There are better ways to run carbon if you need to do so, and a filter sock can catch particulates (but then probably need a sump).

finally, make sure you read all the stickies on this forum.

welcome and have fun!

idisc · 11/19/2013, 09:21 PM

Yes I have been checking into everything - But with the HoB Overflow, and sump skimmer im gonna have to have a sump correct? - I have a spare 10g and 29g tank I could possibly turn into one.

nmbeg · 11/19/2013, 09:38 PM

you're right, if it's not a HOB skimmer, you'll need a sump. 29g woulg work--10g would be too small. you also have to think about return pump--a sump requires a pump to send water back to display DT--this can be internal or external to the sump. then you gotta think about plumbing. then your head starts to spin, when you realize you're in for more than you bargained for, but it's too late, you're hooked.

idisc · 11/19/2013, 09:53 PM

hahaa yes, the deal I made comes with a return pump - I have a guy that works at a local fish store that Im gonna ask to lend me a hand with all the plumbing - but thank you guys so much for your suggestions

igot2gats · 11/19/2013, 09:54 PM

- RODI is a must like stated before
-You'll need a refractometer. Hydrometers aren't as accurate as a refractometer
-A bin to mix your saltwater
-A bin to keep RODI water
-A sump will help you out greatly
-Quarantine tank is a must as well

nmbeg · 11/19/2013, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by igot2gats

- rodi is a must like stated before
-you'll need a refractometer. Hydrometers aren't as accurate as a refractometer
-quarantine tank is a must as well

+1

idisc · 11/19/2013, 10:16 PM

Reef test kit or Salt test kit or both?

11/19/2013, 07:43 PM	#1
idisc Got Sticks? Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Scriba, New York Posts: 898	New to Salt Tanks - Help 75G Setup Hello Everyone!! I have been doing freshwater tanks for about 2 years and currently have about 6 of them all african cichlids. I want to turn my 75g into a reef tank. I have and will continue to do as much research as possible to gain as much knowledge as possible. This tank is not drilled, nor can I get it drilled. With that being said this is what I think I need to get the system going. Please correct and refer me to better ideas ect.. - I am trying to do this low cost, but correct for nice corals. Tank: 75g Coral Life T5 - 2x Bulb - 10k each (Is this enough)? Can I put bigger in it? Filter: AquaClear 110 Overflow Basket: Rated for 125g Uv sterilizer 10watt Protein Skimmer: Rated for 125g and pump 2x Maxi Jet 1200 Power Heads 300 Watt Heater 40lbs Bahama Aragonite Sand 50 - 75 Pounds Coral Rock + 10lbs Live Rock (To Seed?) Reef Test Kit or Salt Water Test Kit (API) Hydrometer Guessing I am gonna need a sump? I have been trading my freshwater fish and items for on craigs - not sure how some of this stuff even hooks up, but i'm sure I will be able to figure it out. I have been reading a ton and some say you can use normal water with prime and most say RO/DI water, what are your thoughts - I don't have a unit yet, but I have someone local that sells RO/DI water. How big of a bag of salt should I start out with? Leave my versa tops on tank or take them off? Anything else you can add - Thank you

11/19/2013, 09:54 PM	#8
igot2gats Deeeetroit Basketball! Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 1,063	- RODI is a must like stated before -You'll need a refractometer. Hydrometers aren't as accurate as a refractometer -A bin to mix your saltwater -A bin to keep RODI water -A sump will help you out greatly -Quarantine tank is a must as well __________________ Jeff Stop being lazy, and use the search function. Seriously. Current Tank Info: 75g DT / 20g sump / 20g QT - Eheim 1250, Tunze Osmolator 3155, GHL Profilux 3, 2 Tunze 6095, Tunze Wavebox, Aqua Illumination Hydra LEDs

11/19/2013, 08:14 PM	#2
Pife Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 7,408	If you haven't you should start by reading the stickies at the top of this forum. You don't need a sump and it depends on what equipment that you have already. A sump is basically used to add water volume and to put your equipment in.

11/19/2013, 08:25 PM	#3
idisc Got Sticks? Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Scriba, New York Posts: 898	I have yet to pickup the scimmer, but here is a pic of it, looks like it has to go into a sump.

11/19/2013, 09:13 PM	#4
nmbeg Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 894	Equipment list looks good. Sump is optional--helps to keep clutter away from Display Tank (DT). RO/DI is a must--everyone here will agree. The salt bags have gallon sizes on them, for example, 100 gallons, 200 gallons, etc. You really don't need to do water changes during a cycle, so perhaps all you need is 100 gallon bucket to get started? that said, you will quickly need more, for water changes, quarantine tank, etc. often, tops are left off of tanks to allow maximum light penetration. (the top will just build up salt creep on it). in my experience saltwater fish rarely jump, whereas my freshwater fish used to jump all the time--but maybe that's because i never had more than 10g for them to swim in. also, for saltwater, you don't need the canister filter. the live rock, live sand, and protein skimmer do all the filtration--canister filters can become a pain, as they require very frequent cleaning. There are better ways to run carbon if you need to do so, and a filter sock can catch particulates (but then probably need a sump). finally, make sure you read all the stickies on this forum. welcome and have fun!

11/19/2013, 09:21 PM	#5
idisc Got Sticks? Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Scriba, New York Posts: 898	Yes I have been checking into everything - But with the HoB Overflow, and sump skimmer im gonna have to have a sump correct? - I have a spare 10g and 29g tank I could possibly turn into one.

11/19/2013, 09:38 PM	#6
nmbeg Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 894	you're right, if it's not a HOB skimmer, you'll need a sump. 29g woulg work--10g would be too small. you also have to think about return pump--a sump requires a pump to send water back to display DT--this can be internal or external to the sump. then you gotta think about plumbing. then your head starts to spin, when you realize you're in for more than you bargained for, but it's too late, you're hooked.

11/19/2013, 09:53 PM	#7
idisc Got Sticks? Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Scriba, New York Posts: 898	hahaa yes, the deal I made comes with a return pump - I have a guy that works at a local fish store that Im gonna ask to lend me a hand with all the plumbing - but thank you guys so much for your suggestions

11/19/2013, 10:16 PM	#10
idisc Got Sticks? Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Scriba, New York Posts: 898	Reef test kit or Salt test kit or both?