1st Salt Tank

brad22773 · 05/20/2014, 11:30 AM

I currently have 125 gallon oceanic reef tank I am in process of setting up, I bought a 4 stage RO/DI filter got water in tank ( except for last 20-25 gallons using the last of the water to fill and balance my salinty ). I have 120 lbs of live sand in the tank, I also have around 100 lbs of live rock I kept from the original setup I saved in some of the salt water and added powerheads to the containers ( Have not put rock in tank yet, not sure when I should). I have a 3 stage filter with a floss,ceramic rings, and ( forgive me for this I am still learning) I think it is called surface media ( black spheres with spines all over ). I am trying to find the easiest setup for beginners to get my feet wet so to speak and get used to it. I still need heaters and I am not sure what a sump is used for, or if I need one. I am starting out with a FOWLR tank I and hopefully would like to add coral and plants if possible. I have read about clean up crews and know a little about it. I have approximatley 30 snails differents varities that were buried in the sand I saved when I purchased the tank along with the rock. Any info is appreciated I have joined another reef forum as well and check in daily from work. Any and all input is appreciated as well as links and articles to read and educate myself from setups,lingo, and equipment.

brad22773 · 05/20/2014, 11:39 AM

Here is my tank its a little over 20 yrs old, I assume the sand caused the cloudiness and the filter will clear it up when I get it started. I still need to determine lighting I have a full size canopy for it, but the T5 lights that came with it are mounted to the inside of the canopy. I am considering removing the lid of the canopy and building a frame for sometype of moonlight to hang above it and mount the T5's on the inside frame of the canopy with reflectors. But I guess your lighting depends on tank type and fish. Is that a fair assumption?

frogdog · 05/20/2014, 12:01 PM

Hi brad22773, welcome to RC. At the top of the New to the Hobby section, there are a bunch of links to articles about setting up. You should start there, by reading lots of them.

I'll just make a couple of comments. You need a good skimmer. YOu may not want to use the filter you have. A sump is like an extra tank plumbed into the display tank, below or behind the display tank (DT). It adds to your total water volume which helps keep your tank stable, and it's a way to hide most of the equipment you need in a place other than your display tank.

Cymonous · 05/20/2014, 12:01 PM

There is a lot of helpful information in the sticky threads at the top of this forum "New to the Hobby". I highly suggest to start reading there. It gives a lot of information including about sumps. You are correct about lighting, but remember older lighting can contribute to algae growth.

Uncle Salty 05 · 05/20/2014, 01:57 PM

I would advise getting a HOB overflow box and a sump.
Sumps are super easy to build and are a good place to put your skimmer, heater, reactors etc.
Canister filters have uses, but primary filtration really isn't one of them IMO.

http://www.amazon.com/CS100DX-Deluxe...r+overflow+box

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=...igns&FORM=IGRE

brad22773 · 05/22/2014, 07:03 AM

Thanks for the replies I will check the links out and the New to Hobby Section as well, right now I have salinty perfect and water temp but trying to find something to filter and clean up water from the sand. It left a thick creamy residue at the top of water line and its just a little cloudy.Again thanks for replies and suggestions.

Uncle Salty 05 · 05/22/2014, 07:14 AM

An overflow box will remove the surface film and improve gas exchange.

05/20/2014, 11:30 AM	#1
brad22773 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 11	1st Salt Tank I currently have 125 gallon oceanic reef tank I am in process of setting up, I bought a 4 stage RO/DI filter got water in tank ( except for last 20-25 gallons using the last of the water to fill and balance my salinty ). I have 120 lbs of live sand in the tank, I also have around 100 lbs of live rock I kept from the original setup I saved in some of the salt water and added powerheads to the containers ( Have not put rock in tank yet, not sure when I should). I have a 3 stage filter with a floss,ceramic rings, and ( forgive me for this I am still learning) I think it is called surface media ( black spheres with spines all over ). I am trying to find the easiest setup for beginners to get my feet wet so to speak and get used to it. I still need heaters and I am not sure what a sump is used for, or if I need one. I am starting out with a FOWLR tank I and hopefully would like to add coral and plants if possible. I have read about clean up crews and know a little about it. I have approximatley 30 snails differents varities that were buried in the sand I saved when I purchased the tank along with the rock. Any info is appreciated I have joined another reef forum as well and check in daily from work. Any and all input is appreciated as well as links and articles to read and educate myself from setups,lingo, and equipment.

05/20/2014, 12:01 PM	#3
frogdog Relentless Question-Asker Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Courtenay, British Columbia Posts: 151	Hi brad22773, welcome to RC. At the top of the New to the Hobby section, there are a bunch of links to articles about setting up. You should start there, by reading lots of them. I'll just make a couple of comments. You need a good skimmer. YOu may not want to use the filter you have. A sump is like an extra tank plumbed into the display tank, below or behind the display tank (DT). It adds to your total water volume which helps keep your tank stable, and it's a way to hide most of the equipment you need in a place other than your display tank. __________________ Warmly, Cynthia

05/20/2014, 12:01 PM	#4
Cymonous My Clown Attacks Me Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 2,105	There is a lot of helpful information in the sticky threads at the top of this forum "New to the Hobby". I highly suggest to start reading there. It gives a lot of information including about sumps. You are correct about lighting, but remember older lighting can contribute to algae growth. __________________ 100 Gallon Long with 20L sump 10 Gallon Office Tank Current Tank Info: 2 False Percula Clowns, One Spot Foxface, Diamond Watchman Goby, Yellow Tail Damsel, Engineer Goby

05/20/2014, 01:57 PM	#5
Uncle Salty 05 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,799	I would advise getting a HOB overflow box and a sump. Sumps are super easy to build and are a good place to put your skimmer, heater, reactors etc. Canister filters have uses, but primary filtration really isn't one of them IMO. http://www.amazon.com/CS100DX-Deluxe...r+overflow+box http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=...igns&FORM=IGRE __________________ In all that I endure, of one thing I am sure. Knowledge and reason, change like the season. A jester's promenade. - Kerry Livgren Current Tank Info: 180 gal reef tank with dual attached refugiums 20 long and 10 gallon. Plus 55 gallon True Percula breeding tank.

05/22/2014, 07:14 AM	#7
Uncle Salty 05 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,799	An overflow box will remove the surface film and improve gas exchange. __________________ In all that I endure, of one thing I am sure. Knowledge and reason, change like the season. A jester's promenade. - Kerry Livgren Current Tank Info: 180 gal reef tank with dual attached refugiums 20 long and 10 gallon. Plus 55 gallon True Percula breeding tank.

05/22/2014, 07:03 AM	#6
brad22773 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 11	Thanks for the replies I will check the links out and the New to Hobby Section as well, right now I have salinty perfect and water temp but trying to find something to filter and clean up water from the sand. It left a thick creamy residue at the top of water line and its just a little cloudy.Again thanks for replies and suggestions.