Im confused.........

[Mooch28]

Ok, so the plan is to have a 200 Gallon set-up with fish and some live rock (maybe 70 punds), and a 50 gallon sump as my main filter with a protien skimmer. Now it's gone be a two way or is ii one way? Anyhow, one sending, and one return.

Now, im confused as to what size pump i need. Some say 900 GPH pump will be fine, while others are telling me 1600+ GPH pump is needed, and finally some are saying i should have two pumps for two sending, and two returns, with two pumps rated at 1600 GPH each.

Im confused to heck!! lol. Ok, first off, you will notice, live rock will not be the main bilogical filter. Im only gona have 70 pounds (to **** expensive), and mix that with a 50 gallon sump.

Now as i said in another thread, the fish load will be between medium and heavy. It will at no point be overstocked. Also, i do plan on adding more live rock slowly, but it may stay at 70 pounds for some time, as i save up.
I may also add a canister filter, but nothing is sure yet.

So, now that ive said that, what rating of GPH do you guys reccomend for a tank this size.

I was checking the specs on my Fluval 404, and it pumps about 340 GPH, and is good for tanks up to 100 gallon. So i figured if 340 GPH is good for 100 gallon, 680 is would be adequate for 200 gallons. The pump im thinking of using is 900 GPH, rougly 220 extra GPH. the pump which i speak of is the Ehiem Universal 1262 Pump.

Please do help me guys! :p:

[macphoto]

Im confused to heck!! lol. Ok, first off, you will notice, live rock will not be the main bilogical filter. Im only gona have 70 pounds (to **** expensive), and mix that with a 50 gallon sump.
I am by no means an authority on setting up SW tanks (haven't even set up my first), but I've asked similar questions and done research on this issue as well. Bottom line, REALLY try to avoid any sort of "device" (canister filter, HOB, bioballs in sump, etc.). The reason is that all these things may do a great job at hosting the bacteria that converts ammonia to nitrite, and nitrite to nitrate, but they don't do anything for converting nitrite to nitrate, which means more workload for you (water changes). Also, these filters must be cleaned often (I've red once a week is the norm).

On the other hand, live rock (and, from what I understand, a good sand bed), will host the bateria that get rid of nitrates as well.

But it IS quite expensive. So what to do? The alternative that I've read here (and will most likely go with myself) is to buy a good supply of base rock, and "seed" it with some live rock. If you go to www.hirocks.com, you can find some nice looking dry rock for about $1.65/lb. (INCLUDING shipping). I don't know what the proper ratio is, but I'm thinking maybe 25% live rock, 75% base rock. It will take a little longer than if you went all with live rock, but it will happen, and it's much more affordable.

Add to that a "clean-up crew" to keep the sand bed clean.

--Mike

[Mooch28]

I am by no means an authority on setting up SW tanks (haven't even set up my first), but I've asked similar questions and done research on this issue as well. Bottom line, REALLY try to avoid any sort of "device" (canister filter, HOB, bioballs in sump, etc.). The reason is that all these things may do a great job at hosting the bacteria that converts ammonia to nitrite, and nitrite to nitrate, but they don't do anything for converting nitrite to nitrate, which means more workload for you (water changes). Also, these filters must be cleaned often (I've red once a week is the norm).

On the other hand, live rock (and, from what I understand, a good sand bed), will host the bateria that get rid of nitrates as well.

But it IS quite expensive. So what to do? The alternative that I've read here (and will most likely go with myself) is to buy a good supply of base rock, and "seed" it with some live rock. If you go to www.hirocks.com, you can find some nice looking dry rock for about $1.65/lb. (INCLUDING shipping). I don't know what the proper ratio is, but I'm thinking maybe 25% live rock, 75% base rock. It will take a little longer than if you went all with live rock, but it will happen, and it's much more affordable.

Add to that a "clean-up crew" to keep the sand bed clean.

--Mike


Hey, that's awsome!!

So im guessing with 200 pounds of rock, i wouldn't even need a sump or any other filter? As the rock would pretty much be my main filter??

By the way, yes ive heard about filters and reating problems, but thanks for clarifying that.

By the way, anyone know how much sand i need? In pounds?

[macphoto]

So im guessing with 200 pounds of rock, i wouldn't even need a sump or any other filter? As the rock would pretty much be my main filter??

Correct. I'm having a VERY hard time accepting this "rock and critters are the only filtration you need" thing, as I'm coming from the freshwater side. I can't comprehend not having some sort of mechanical filtration. But the more I read here, the more I am assured that this is indeed the best way to go.


By the way, anyone know how much sand i need? In pounds?
There's probaby a formula (so many pounds of sand in a certain sized tank gives you so many inches), but I don't know what it is. Most people here seem to suggest going for normal play sand from Home Depot or Lowes (very inexpensive), and perhaps seeding it with a little live sand if you wish.

--Mike

[Mahlhavoc]

My thoughts.

First, you need to have a pretty good turn of water in salt water, 10-20 times an hour for many reasons but most importantly to keep your fish healthy, remember these fish come from a violent ocean living on a reef! HERE (http://www.wetwebmedia.com/circmarart.htm) is a good spot to research it for yourself :)

As far as live rock as your only means of filtration, I would recomend against this, going with a sump/refugium now will save you a headache and deliver you a MUCH better water quality and a happier stock. While you will have denitrifying capabilities in your rock, it by no means can filter out larger particles, nor can you hide your equipment and have plant life that will be great food and also add another source of water treatment, and to top it off, IT'S ALL NATURAL. I would recomend you continue looking into a sump/refugium. HERE (http://www.wetwebmedia.com/refugium.htm) is a good place to start. ;)

Sand bed, I would look into 3-4 inches of it, but here, I like it better when people can learn for themselves and make a choice depending on their needs. HERE (http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marsubstr.htm) is a good spot to learn about substrates. :dive2: