New setup..here's the plan..any advice appreciated!

uksam · 06/22/2016, 09:29 AM

Hi All -

New to the hobby, although I did keep an extensive planted saltwater setup 20 years ago! Am planning on Fish Only with Live Rock at this stage, working out my new build, and probable stock list, I would love any advice or thoughts!

Planned equipment:
90g Marineland Corner-flo pre-drilled aquarium (48x24x18)
Eshopps r100 sump w/eheim return pump
Coralife UV sterilizer 36W
Simple LED lighting setup (probably Aqueon Optibrite +)
Heater, plumbing, all other bits and pieces
Live sand, 90lbs live rock
ATO system
Perhaps add a protein skimmer if needed

Proposed livestock (in order of addition over 6 months or so):
2 False perculas
3-5 yellow/tailed damsels or blue/green chromis
1 orchid dottyback or royal gramma
1 blenny
1 Yellow tang (maybe)
1 Flame angel or coral beauty angel (probably CB due to size)
1 Yellow spotted puffer
Cleanup crew

A couple of questions I have:
- My LFS is encouraging me to use a canister as well as the sump. I'm a bit skeptical of this - would it really be necessary? However, to me its a hobby but to my wife its an ornament :-) so I need to focus on water clarity - perhaps better to use a reactor with activated charcoal than a canister?
- I'm reasonably familiar with the process of cycling the tank etc (friends in the hobby) but any advice on best way to set up my sump would be appreciated!
- Is stock list reasonable and if not, what should I change? I would like to plan this out from the start

Thanks so much in advance!

thelawnwrangler · 06/22/2016, 09:43 AM

- My LFS is encouraging me to use a canister as well as the sump. I'm a bit skeptical of this - would it really be necessary?

I would add a protein skimmer and reactor way before you add a canister - what was their reasoning?

Sounds like a nice setup

gone fishin · 06/22/2016, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thelawnwrangler

- what was their reasoning?

To make a sale then in a few months to sell a skimmer or a reactor.

gone fishin · 06/22/2016, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uksam

Hi All -

New to the hobby, although I did keep an extensive planted saltwater setup 20 years ago! Am planning on Fish Only with Live Rock at this stage, working out my new build, and probable stock list, I would love any advice or thoughts!

Planned equipment:
90g Marineland Corner-flo pre-drilled aquarium (48x24x18)
Eshopps r100 sump w/eheim return pump
Coralife UV sterilizer 36W IMO not nescessary
Simple LED lighting setup (probably Aqueon Optibrite +)
Heater, plumbing, all other bits and pieces
Live sand, 90lbs live rock Could use dry sand if you want to save a bit of money, the dry sand will eventually become live
ATO system
Perhaps add a protein skimmer if needed This over a canister filter

Proposed livestock (in order of addition over 6 months or so):
2 False perculas
3-5 yellow/tailed damsels or blue/green chromis
1 orchid dottyback or royal grammaI would opt for the gramma the dotty back could get a bit on the aggressive side
1 blenny
1 Yellow tang (maybe)
1 Flame angel or coral beauty angel (probably CB due to size)
1 Yellow spotted puffer
Cleanup crew

A couple of questions I have:
- My LFS is encouraging me to use a canister as well as the sump. I'm a bit skeptical of this - would it really be necessary? However, to me its a hobby but to my wife its an ornament :-) so I need to focus on water clarity - perhaps better to use a reactor with activated charcoal than a canister? A reactor would be better IMO than a canister
- I'm reasonably familiar with the process of cycling the tank etc (friends in the hobby) but any advice on best way to set up my sump would be appreciated!
- Is stock list reasonable and if not, what should I change? I would like to plan this out from the start

Thanks so much in advance!

Good luck just my 2 cents. There is also a sticky at the top of the forum called setting up, look for the big red arrow. It is full of good info.

thelawnwrangler · 06/22/2016, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gone fishin

To make a sale then in a few months to sell a skimmer or a reactor.

oh your nitrates are high? I don't get that maybe try this NO3/PO4 - X and get back to me. Oh it is still high? I would try a protein skimmer. I guess your system just needs one. Oh it is still high? Well some people try a GFO reactor.

Am I doing it right? lol

You have to go in there and talk to them for 3 hours and then buy a algae brush that is how you win that game lol

gone fishin · 06/22/2016, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thelawnwrangler

oh your nitrates are high? I don't get that maybe try this NO3/PO4 - X and get back to me. Oh it is still high? I would try a protein skimmer. I guess your system just needs one. Oh it is still high? Well some people try a GFO reactor.

Am I doing it right? lol

You have to go in there and talk to them for 3 hours and then buy a algae brush that is how you win that game lol

I forgot about the algae brush, but you got the sales pitch down. This is your lucky day the particular item just happens to be on sale this week.

uksam · 06/22/2016, 11:19 AM

Thanks all, for all of the input - very helpful (and I'm now absorbing the info in the sticky)!

Their reasoning was 'we cant tell you how many times one filtration system has failed and the other has saved the tank' basically saying canister would be a backup i guess. Didn't sound quite right, but I'm definitely buying an algae brush next time I go back :-)

I like the idea of starting with a reactor and adding in a skimmer as the bioload starts to increase.

Sk8r · 06/22/2016, 11:29 AM

90g Marineland Corner-flo pre-drilled aquarium (48x24x18) FINe.
Eshopps r100 sump w/eheim return pump: go for at least 1800 gph.
Coralife UV sterilizer 36W IMO not nescessary not even useful
Simple LED lighting setup (probably Aqueon Optibrite +) if you think you might do corals, buy for them or spend twice.
Heater, [get top of the line: fire hazard] plumbing, all other bits and pieces
Live sand, 90lbs live rock Could use dry sand if you want to save a bit of money, the dry sand will eventually become live
ATO system
Perhaps add a protein skimmer if needed This over a canister filter you need one rated for 200 gallons.

Proposed livestock (in order of addition over 6 months or so):
2 False perculas no anemone at this stage
3-5 yellow/tailed damsels or blue/green chromiseither or---they hate each other
1 orchid dottyback or royal grammaI would opt for the gramma the dotty back could get a bit on the aggressive sidedottyback is a terror and ambush predator
1 blenny
1 Yellow tang (maybe)tank is still a bit small
1 Flame angel or coral beauty angel (probably CB due to size)
1 Yellow spotted puffer nippy and prone to go after angel fins
Cleanup crew

A couple of questions I have:
- My LFS is encouraging me to use a canister as well as the sump. Fish-onlies often do add a canister because fish are messy, and a fish-only doesn't have coral filtering some of the wastes. BUT, it will drive up your nitrate, which is not a good thing if you look to get corals, so it will need to go if you do. I'm a bit skeptical of this - would it really be necessary? However, to me its a hobby but to my wife its an ornament :-) so I need to focus on water clarity - perhaps better to use a reactor with activated charcoal than a canister? A reactor would be better IMO than a canister

tazdvl · 06/22/2016, 11:31 AM

My 2 cents

Save yourself some coin get a 40 Gal breeder for a sump and start reading up on beananimal plumbing setup.On a scale of 1-10 plumbing your own setup rates about a 4 on complexity. Carbon reactor should be all the polishing power you need. I've read some folks like to keep a canister around for the big cleanup days. Say your scraping a lot of hair algae out and want to filter that out fast, but a filter sock would also work in that case. I don't think many people use cans in Saltwater setups. If you are big on planning, which by just posting your plans I assume you are

. Then I would take some time to look at how you want to aquascape this tank. There are great threads on this site for that. I found threads on making a rock wall for the back of tank that helped me out as well. Have fun and keep on Tankin.

06/22/2016, 09:29 AM	#1
uksam Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 3	New setup..here's the plan..any advice appreciated! Hi All - New to the hobby, although I did keep an extensive planted saltwater setup 20 years ago! Am planning on Fish Only with Live Rock at this stage, working out my new build, and probable stock list, I would love any advice or thoughts! Planned equipment: 90g Marineland Corner-flo pre-drilled aquarium (48x24x18) Eshopps r100 sump w/eheim return pump Coralife UV sterilizer 36W Simple LED lighting setup (probably Aqueon Optibrite +) Heater, plumbing, all other bits and pieces Live sand, 90lbs live rock ATO system Perhaps add a protein skimmer if needed Proposed livestock (in order of addition over 6 months or so): 2 False perculas 3-5 yellow/tailed damsels or blue/green chromis 1 orchid dottyback or royal gramma 1 blenny 1 Yellow tang (maybe) 1 Flame angel or coral beauty angel (probably CB due to size) 1 Yellow spotted puffer Cleanup crew A couple of questions I have: - My LFS is encouraging me to use a canister as well as the sump. I'm a bit skeptical of this - would it really be necessary? However, to me its a hobby but to my wife its an ornament :-) so I need to focus on water clarity - perhaps better to use a reactor with activated charcoal than a canister? - I'm reasonably familiar with the process of cycling the tank etc (friends in the hobby) but any advice on best way to set up my sump would be appreciated! - Is stock list reasonable and if not, what should I change? I would like to plan this out from the start Thanks so much in advance!

06/22/2016, 11:29 AM	#8
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	90g Marineland Corner-flo pre-drilled aquarium (48x24x18) FINe. Eshopps r100 sump w/eheim return pump: go for at least 1800 gph. Coralife UV sterilizer 36W IMO not nescessary not even useful Simple LED lighting setup (probably Aqueon Optibrite +) if you think you might do corals, buy for them or spend twice. Heater, [get top of the line: fire hazard] plumbing, all other bits and pieces Live sand, 90lbs live rock Could use dry sand if you want to save a bit of money, the dry sand will eventually become live ATO system Perhaps add a protein skimmer if needed This over a canister filter you need one rated for 200 gallons. Proposed livestock (in order of addition over 6 months or so): 2 False perculas no anemone at this stage 3-5 yellow/tailed damsels or blue/green chromiseither or---they hate each other 1 orchid dottyback or royal grammaI would opt for the gramma the dotty back could get a bit on the aggressive sidedottyback is a terror and ambush predator 1 blenny 1 Yellow tang (maybe)tank is still a bit small 1 Flame angel or coral beauty angel (probably CB due to size) 1 Yellow spotted puffer nippy and prone to go after angel fins Cleanup crew A couple of questions I have: - My LFS is encouraging me to use a canister as well as the sump. Fish-onlies often do add a canister because fish are messy, and a fish-only doesn't have coral filtering some of the wastes. BUT, it will drive up your nitrate, which is not a good thing if you look to get corals, so it will need to go if you do. I'm a bit skeptical of this - would it really be necessary? However, to me its a hobby but to my wife its an ornament :-) so I need to focus on water clarity - perhaps better to use a reactor with activated charcoal than a canister? A reactor would be better IMO than a canister __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

06/22/2016, 09:43 AM	#2
thelawnwrangler Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Northern New Jersey Posts: 863	- My LFS is encouraging me to use a canister as well as the sump. I'm a bit skeptical of this - would it really be necessary? I would add a protein skimmer and reactor way before you add a canister - what was their reasoning? Sounds like a nice setup

06/22/2016, 11:19 AM	#7
uksam Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 3	Thanks all, for all of the input - very helpful (and I'm now absorbing the info in the sticky)! Their reasoning was 'we cant tell you how many times one filtration system has failed and the other has saved the tank' basically saying canister would be a backup i guess. Didn't sound quite right, but I'm definitely buying an algae brush next time I go back :-) I like the idea of starting with a reactor and adding in a skimmer as the bioload starts to increase.

06/22/2016, 11:31 AM	#9
tazdvl Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 127	My 2 cents Save yourself some coin get a 40 Gal breeder for a sump and start reading up on beananimal plumbing setup.On a scale of 1-10 plumbing your own setup rates about a 4 on complexity. Carbon reactor should be all the polishing power you need. I've read some folks like to keep a canister around for the big cleanup days. Say your scraping a lot of hair algae out and want to filter that out fast, but a filter sock would also work in that case. I don't think many people use cans in Saltwater setups. If you are big on planning, which by just posting your plans I assume you are . Then I would take some time to look at how you want to aquascape this tank. There are great threads on this site for that. I found threads on making a rock wall for the back of tank that helped me out as well. Have fun and keep on Tankin.