Newb to SW, a couple easy questions for you all. =)

Polish

Polish

You like Dags?
May 18, 2008
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I don't have anything setup yet, just doing research as I've had FW tanks for 15+ years now. I finally decided to start a SW tank but before I do anything I have a couple questions that my limited research has yet to answer.

1. I have a 45 Gallon Hex tank, is there any reason I can't use it? It's 24x24x24 basically. I know it's likely a little tall but I won't be doing any crazy corals as of now. It is from 1975, yes the tank is 33 years old and still seals. VERY thick glass. Not sure thats relevant but I thought I'd mention it.
2. Lighting, I just bought a new 65w 10k/Actinic fixture with LED moonlite. Is this enough for a basic FOWLR tank? With the small top footprint it would be hard to add another but I could add maybe another small one but thats it.
3. Filters, can I use any of my old ones from the FW setup?
Bio Wheel Mini- Old but works fine
Rapids Mini Canister Filter- Claims to be ok for SW use, just got it was only in use on the FW for a few days.
Whisper Intank 20i Filter - I likely wouldn't want to use this one anyway as I can't stand the intank type anymore.
4. Heater, Whisper 200w intank heater, ok to use?


Beyond that I would be buying all new gear.

I see Skimmers mentioned a lot but have no idea what they do so I need to research that.

I also see mention of needing lots of powerheads and water flow, any specific ones I need? They are cheap so I could order a couple of them anytime.

I also see that once the live sand is active and doing it's thing that one doesn't need filters as much?

I have a LFS with a HUGE Sw pond with LOTS of live rock and sand to pick from. As well as lots of neat Sw species that I never even bothered to look at much because I couldn't have them.

I can't wait to change that. :grinyes:
.
 
Doesn't sound like that tank would be too problematic to use, as long as it holds water.

For FOWLR you probably won't need the power filters/canisters - basically the liverock provides the filtration, you just need to provide enough flow through the tank to circulate the water through the LR. This is where the powerheads come in. You could use the power filters and canister empty (with no media) to provide some flow, but I'd probably just go with powerheads. Hydor Koralias are good ones to look into.

The lighting you specified should be fine, lighting isn't all that important for FOWLR as long as its enough to see the fish.

The heater should be fine as well.
 
Can that tank be used, absolutley but you will be limited on the type of fish and the number of fish. I too would go with the Koralia pumps and maybe look into the Aqua C Remora skimmers. I have that same tank and trying to talk my wife into letting me switch it over to SW but she says NO!!! For mine I would want a nem with a pair of clowns and a few corals with MH lighting, I know off subject but just thought I would let you know what I want to do with mine.
 
Thanks for the quick replies. =)

I know the tank limits me on fish because it only has the same horizontal swimming room as a typical 20-25 gallon tank. The same applies to when I used to as a FW tank and now that I have a 75g for FW use I just couldn't think of anything I wanted for the 45g and making it the planted tank of my dreams isn't going to happen because of height and lighting restrictions. So I'll get a 20g for that and try my hand at SW use with the 45g Hex.

I can always use the filters for the planted 20g when I get around to that so I'll look into some Koralia pumps for the SW setup.

Is there anything else I need or is it that simple? I always thought they were complicated.

Tank
Light
Heat
Pump
Skimmer
Sand/Rock/Fish
 
Polish said:
I don't have anything setup yet, just doing research as I've had FW tanks for 15+ years now. I finally decided to start a SW tank but before I do anything I have a couple questions that my limited research has yet to answer.

1. I have a 45 Gallon Hex tank, is there any reason I can't use it? It's 24x24x24 basically. I know it's likely a little tall but I won't be doing any crazy corals as of now. It is from 1975, yes the tank is 33 years old and still seals. VERY thick glass. Not sure thats relevant but I thought I'd mention it.

<<No reason why not, as long as your happy with the seals ;) ...The only hard part people have with a Hex tank is getting the lighting to fit right..>>

2. Lighting, I just bought a new 65w 10k/Actinic fixture with LED moonlite. Is this enough for a basic FOWLR tank? With the small top footprint it would be hard to add another but I could add maybe another small one but thats it.

<<Yes, that light will be fine for your tank, and fine for some low light corals like shrooms and zoa's placed mid way in the tank>>

3. Filters, can I use any of my old ones from the FW setup?
Bio Wheel Mini- Old but works fine
Rapids Mini Canister Filter- Claims to be ok for SW use, just got it was only in use on the FW for a few days.
Whisper Intank 20i Filter - I likely wouldn't want to use this one anyway as I can't stand the intank type anymore.

<<Yes, you can use an old filter, however, i would suggest fitting new media to any filter used>>

4. Heater, Whisper 200w intank heater, ok to use?

<<Some heaters are specific to FW, so i would check the info on the heater. This is due to materials used in some heaters.>>

Beyond that I would be buying all new gear.

I see Skimmers mentioned a lot but have no idea what they do so I need to research that.

<<What it actually removes is still open to debate, though what is commonly agreed upon is that it removes the impure organics out of the water column. It works by generating thousands of tiny bubbles and, which takes the organics from the water by using nature itself. The organics in the water are actually attracted to the bubbles and stick to the surface. The bubbles are then separated into a collection cup and the water itself is then returned back to the tank.>>

I also see mention of needing lots of powerheads and water flow, any specific ones I need? They are cheap so I could order a couple of them anytime.

<<Flow wise, you want to achieve 25 times the tank water volume per hour. So, in your case, a 45 gallon tank, you want to be aiming for 1125 gallons per hour water circulation ( 45 x 25 = 1125 gph ). No real specific ones needed, however, the hydor Koralia or MaxiJet powerhead ranges are a good buy>>

I also see that once the live sand is active and doing it's thing that one doesn't need filters as much?

<<Thats correct when using 1 - 1.5lbs of live rock per gallon of tank water>>

I have a LFS with a HUGE Sw pond with LOTS of live rock and sand to pick from. As well as lots of neat Sw species that I never even bothered to look at much because I couldn't have them.

I can't wait to change that. :grinyes:
.
Click to expand...


Added some comments above in red...hope it helps..
 
Awesome response, greatly appreciated.

My luck that heater is made for FW only but I will check, thanks for mentioning.

Now to do more research and place some orders for new goodies.
 
I have a AP master test kit I use now. It does PH, Nitrite, Nitrate, and Ammonia. Is there anything else I'd need to test for?

Hydrometer, got it. They are only like $10 at Foster Smith, is that all I need? It is also showing Refractometers in the same search but they start at $50.
 
Refractometers are generally a lot more accurate, most will automatically correct for temperature, and only need a few drops of water for a reading compared to probably 8-12 fl. oz.for a hydrometer. I just picked up a refractometer and love it.
 
Polish said:
I have a AP master test kit I use now. It does PH, Nitrite, Nitrate, and Ammonia. Is there anything else I'd need to test for?

Hydrometer, got it. They are only like $10 at Foster Smith, is that all I need? It is also showing Refractometers in the same search but they start at $50.
Click to expand...


While its just a FOWLR, thats all you need. When you start adding corals and going down the Reef route, you'll need Calcium, Alk, Mag and Phosphorus.....
 
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