View Full Version : Help a newb
snapper952
08-09-2007, 2:34 PM
:help: I have some newb questions and I am looking for some recommendations. I am planning on setting up my first salt water tank. I will be going with a 120g and I was wondering what would be a good recommendation for what is needed. I have read lots of posts here and people all have a different opinion. It will be a fish only tank maybe live rock. Would you guys recommend a sump pump and a canister. What about a protein skimmer? I would also like to have as much equipment hidden in my stand. Anyone have any pictures of a sump installed? Can you place your heaters in there and the skimmer? Pictures of the heaters and skimmer would be great. How does a sump actually work? What pvc tubing needs to be run to the tank? I don't want to have the tank drilled but would be open to it. It will be a glass tank. Any diagrams for set up would be great too.
Thanks everyone I know it is a lot and search button is your friend and this is probably all a repost but I want my own thread for my setup.
Thanks,
James
Personally I'd do a sump and refugium on a tank that size. You'll be able to hide the heater and skimmer in there if you get one. This site has great information on sumps: http://www.melevsreef.com/what_sump.html
A skimmer isn't mandatory but i'm a big fan of them. If you are going to keep messy fish like a lion I'd lean a bit more towards yes, get one. However with that said..there are people that have successful systems without one.
I'd personally choose a drilled tank, especially for a larger tank.
This list might help you with some other options:
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=118995
wantvws
08-09-2007, 6:09 PM
:welcome:. I am still a newbie and just set up my 210g tank, which is (hopefully) cycling now. I also set up a wet/dry filter under my tank and have a canister filter, along with a HOB protein skimmer. There are a bunch of pics here (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=119514)of my wet/dry filter (ignore the title of the thread...I got sidetracked halfway through it) and there are some pics of the tank and stuff here (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=120345) including the PVC plumbing for the filter. The only thing that's not pictured I think is the PVC siphon tube for the overflow box. I'll be happy to post one if you like.
Everyone here is extremely helpful and knowledgeable.
good luck!
Robbie