Saltwater tanks look so cool, but...

Ask about it if you are interested. i am a freshwater guy, but I talk to a coral guy almost daily. It looks like to me that the owner started handling problems that arose one at a time Instead of foreseeing them. If you like the tank, and you know how to correct the issue, then this shouldn't stop you if you know what you are doing. I agree though, that is a rats nest.

It looks more compliated then it is. I am not that "SW technical" and I had a reef. Once it is set up you can just leave it alone. Most of that stuff is for a reef anyway, if you only want a few corals, and some fish most of that stuff is not needed.

It's really not as bad as it looks, and sometimes this stuff just agglomerates, but each item is a distinct thing. I'm generally of the keep-it-simple mindset, which this person obviously is not. Nonttheless, I've had all of these things at one time or another. I put numbers on the various doohickies in the picture. Here's the reference for what they are:

1: Protein skimmer (foam fractionator) - used to remove organic waste from the water. Of all the items here, this is the most essential. (As with everything, there are alternatives, but you really must have a way to remove dissolved organics.)

2: Hard to tell for sure, but probably a UV unit. Strictly optional - some people actually think they're harmful on reef tanks. (Coral eat tiny animals from the water, and these kill them... This tank appears to be a FOWLR though.)

3: Water bucket... Top off? Automatic top-off systems are important on reef tanks in order to keep the salinity constant as water evaporates.

4: Not sure, but looks like a bio reactor. Use of bio media (organic plastics that are consumed by bacteria and through this, remove excess nitrates) is one of the latest trends. I always preferred using a refugium instead and ended up having more problem with phosphates.

5 and 6: Media reactors - can't tell what's in them, but typically GFO (Granular Ferrous Oxide - for removing phosphates) and carbon.

7: Calcium reactor - helps keep the buffering balanced in the tank. This isn't needed on a FOWLR since there aren't any coral consuming the calcium carbonate to build their skeletons.

8: Skimmate drain bucket. (The skimmer collection cup drains into here.)

9: Supplies. (Looks like media for the reactors.)

In case you don't already know, saltwater tanks are a bit of money pit. Much more so than freshwater tanks.

a lot of the equip in the picture is as atreis pointed out.
the question is.. is it needed.. if it is a reef tank , yes you need dosing pumps,calcium(kalkwasser) as the coral will need it to build.

if it's a fowlr(fish only live rock) then probably not..a RO for top iff is fine as the water is mixed with proper 'salt' with marine salt mixtures.

Just what atreis said lol


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flossyfloofloo said:

Just what atreis said lol

Click to expand...

Well, of course he knows. He is from Salt Water Ohio.