Returning to the non-nano side of the hobby

[SigPiPup]

Hello All !!! :hi:

I am seriously considering a return to the non-nano side of the hobby after a ten year hiatus and I was hoping to get some pre-startup advice.

Here is what I have:
85g All-glass Aquarium with built in over-flow
Wet/Dry Trickle Filter
Protein Skimmer (inlet cracked, needs repairs)
Regular Rocks (not live rock)
All the pumps to run the equipment.
Regular lights (one daylight tube and one actinic)

My intent this time around is to be more patient and spend as little money as possible. When this tank was set up it ran for a couple of years with problems, mainly constant ich breakouts and high phosphates. The ich was probably caused by my lack of quarantine and the phosphates were probably caused by the use of tap water.

Obviously, I won't be using tap water this time around so I will have to get an RO/DI filtration unit. Any suggestions for a good brand?

Also, I am considering purchasing a UV Sterilizer. From what I have read from at least one post on this site is that a UV sterilizer isn't really necessary. Others have said that it is an invaluable piece of equipment. Is there a definitive answer?

This time around I will be setting up a FOWLR tank. I am thinking that I will buy one bag of Arag Alive to seed the rest of the 'dry' sand. Also, I am thinking of taking some of the rocks from my nano to 'seed' the regular rocks that I already have. I understand that this will take some time. I'm trying to spend as little money as possible and spending $500+ on live rock is enough to make me not want to start this up again.

One thing that I have learned from my nano is that natural filtration is a viable option. My nano has been running successfully for over 6 years now (even through my slacking on maintenance) relying solely on natural filtration. Does anybody run their larger systems this way? I am hesitant to attempt it on a larger tank because, as you all know, the larger the system the more money is invested. Die-off because of my experimentation would be foolish.

Sorry for the length of this post. I wanted to make sure I gave you all enough information.

Any advice would be extremely appreciated.

Thank You!!! :hi:

[5xevy]

Hi there and welcome to AC! I'm going to insert my responses within your post since I don't know how to quote separate things from one post (does anyone know how to do this? :rolleyes:).

Hello All !!! :hi:


My intent this time around is to be more patient and spend as little money as possible. Patience is good- wish I had more when I first started. Good luck with trying to save money! Hard thing to do in this hobby! When this tank was set up it ran for a couple of years with problems, mainly constant ich breakouts and high phosphates. The ich was probably caused by my lack of quarantine and the phosphates were probably caused by the use of tap water. Yep- ich sucks and is hard to treat properly in the main tank with live rock and inverts. There are many good phosphate removers out there. The RO should certainly help. Some fish food contains phosphates as well.

Obviously, I won't be using tap water this time around so I will have to get an RO/DI filtration unit. Any suggestions for a good brand? I think the name of my brand is Hydrotech (I'll get back to you on that) but there are MANY out there that are decent brands. I know some people on there have gotten theirs off of eBay, some bought their from Drs. Foster & Smith while others got theirs from a site I can't think of at the moment. I would just make sure you get at least a RO unit with as many filter canisters as you can afford with a large enough GPD for you (Gallons Per Day).

Also, I am considering purchasing a UV Sterilizer. From what I have read from at least one post on this site is that a UV sterilizer isn't really necessary. Others have said that it is an invaluable piece of equipment. Is there a definitive answer? UVs are controversial- I'll copy and paste what I think of them and give you thread to read but as you've already found out- some like 'em, some don't. :)

I'm trying to spend as little money as possible and spending $500+ on live rock is enough to make me not want to start this up again. Hahaha, I hear that!

One thing that I have learned from my nano is that natural filtration is a viable option. My nano has been running successfully for over 6 years now (even through my slacking on maintenance) relying solely on natural filtration. Does anybody run their larger systems this way? I am hesitant to attempt it on a larger tank because, as you all know, the larger the system the more money is invested. Die-off because of my experimentation would be foolish. The larger the tank, the easier and more stable and forgiving it is. With enough live rock, you don't need a filter. Many people run their larger ones through the means of natural filtration. That's actually how I'm running my 95G currently.

[5xevy]

Getting back to you- just double checked and the name of my RO unit is Hydrotech. Here's the site I couldn't think of earlier where some people have purchased their RO systems...

http://www.thefilterguys.biz/ro_di_systems.htm

Again though, there are many quality ones out there from many different places.

Here's a thread on here with people's different opinions on UV sterilization (I believe the UV conversation starts at around Post #15):

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=103686&highlight=royal+gramma

[SHK_ATK]

I run my tank all natural style. I am working on getting a skimmer and maybe a fuge. But with enough rocks it should be fine. 500 Bucks yea LR tends to be pretty pricey. I easly spend more than $1200 for 300 plus pounds of the stuff. In the end it keeps your water params in check. Also dont pay anything above 150 bucks for your RO unit. I almost paided 420 for a stage 6 ro/di w/ 100GPD and installation. There are places out there that sell them for cheaper. Welcome back to the 55 and up tank size.

[SigPiPup]

Thanks for the warm welcome and Thanks for all the help.

That link for the RO Filter is awesome. I probably would have never found that website. I was looking at one from Kent Marine, but it was at least $100 more than the one on that site and it was only good for something like 60gpd.

As for the UV Sterilizer debate, I think that I'm going to wait on purchasing one, simply to save money at this point. There isn't a definitive answer and both sides of the debate have presented logical arguments. For me, for now, cost savings is the best option. (unless someone can convice me otherwise :)).

I'm glad to hear that someone has been running a tank au naturale. At least I know that it is possible on a larger system. I still haven't decided if I'm going to run mine like that though. The determining factor will be the amount of LR I can make/buy.

Again, Thanks for the advice/information. Please don't stop there. I'm going for information overload.:read: