Changing from cold tank to reef tank (General Help)

Louis94 · 04/23/2017, 07:50 AM

Hi Guys, firstly thanks for being active on this site and helping people to get on their feet. Been reading a few comments these past months and all of them were always helpful.

I've decided a few days ago that I want to make a switch a few people has done before. I started with a 30G tank with goldfish and a few small koi's, because marine was a bit expensive at that time, but decided to make te change. I bought a 70G tank but the thought came up: Why can't I have all 3 water zones in one tank. So what I want to know from you guys..is it possible? I already have 2 loose glass plates I can put in the tank to devide the tank in 3 compartments.

The other question is...I've calculated that I'm going to use 30G of the 70G for a reef tank...do I need a sump or can I go with a HOB protein skimmer and cannister filter? I will of course have live rock and coral in the tank.
Thanks

Sk8r · 04/23/2017, 09:14 AM

what water zones? Define 'water zone.'

Koi need about 1000 gallons and a back yard.

DancingShark · 04/23/2017, 09:56 AM

Yes what are the water zones.
And of course anything is possible.
It seems like a cool idea. You can use a hob filter. I mean that is what i use for my quarantine tank and it works.
Just don't know about the maintenence required for a
display tank.

I would get a bigger longer tank and keep away from gold fish and kois because of size and bioload. Tetras or guppies maybe.

bnumair · 04/23/2017, 10:13 AM

i think OP wants to divide a 75 gal tank with glass plates into 3 separate compartment (water zones)

DancingShark · 04/24/2017, 07:23 AM

Yeah that much is kind of clear.
But is it going to be marine, fresh, and what else, brackish?

JZinCO · 04/24/2017, 08:35 AM

Sure I guess. Like a fish store, divide u a long tank, drill some holes for whatever tanks you want sumped.e.g http://www.thescmas.com/forums/mobiq...%26tid%3D13853
Although it sounds like a recipe to do three tanks poorly.

Why not just have three tanks? Maybe 12*12*12 cubes, with a custom stand to aesthetically to them together?

04/23/2017, 07:50 AM	#1
Louis94 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 1	Changing from cold tank to reef tank (General Help) Hi Guys, firstly thanks for being active on this site and helping people to get on their feet. Been reading a few comments these past months and all of them were always helpful. I've decided a few days ago that I want to make a switch a few people has done before. I started with a 30G tank with goldfish and a few small koi's, because marine was a bit expensive at that time, but decided to make te change. I bought a 70G tank but the thought came up: Why can't I have all 3 water zones in one tank. So what I want to know from you guys..is it possible? I already have 2 loose glass plates I can put in the tank to devide the tank in 3 compartments. The other question is...I've calculated that I'm going to use 30G of the 70G for a reef tank...do I need a sump or can I go with a HOB protein skimmer and cannister filter? I will of course have live rock and coral in the tank. Thanks

04/23/2017, 09:14 AM	#2
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	what water zones? Define 'water zone.' Koi need about 1000 gallons and a back yard. __________________ 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%.

04/23/2017, 10:13 AM	#4
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	i think OP wants to divide a 75 gal tank with glass plates into 3 separate compartment (water zones) __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

04/23/2017, 09:56 AM	#3
DancingShark Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 126	Yes what are the water zones. And of course anything is possible. It seems like a cool idea. You can use a hob filter. I mean that is what i use for my quarantine tank and it works. Just don't know about the maintenence required for a display tank. I would get a bigger longer tank and keep away from gold fish and kois because of size and bioload. Tetras or guppies maybe.

04/24/2017, 07:23 AM	#5
DancingShark Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 126	Yeah that much is kind of clear. But is it going to be marine, fresh, and what else, brackish?

04/24/2017, 08:35 AM	#6
JZinCO Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: northern CO Posts: 502	Sure I guess. Like a fish store, divide u a long tank, drill some holes for whatever tanks you want sumped.e.g http://www.thescmas.com/forums/mobiq...%26tid%3D13853 Although it sounds like a recipe to do three tanks poorly. Why not just have three tanks? Maybe 121212 cubes, with a custom stand to aesthetically to them together?