How's this setup?

R

RANDY530

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Apr 20, 2004
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Summerville, SC
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I recently purchased this set up from LFS. Asking for opinions and suggestions. Stilll waiting for stand to be built so I have not picked up aquarium yet. It will be FO or FOWLR .

150 gal all-glass tank w/overflows. Painted black back.
18x72 glass tops
2 36" delux flo strip lights
PREMIER WET/DRY 200
Mag Drive 1200
Acura 300w 14" submersible heater
Custom built oak stand and canopy
Seaflor reef sand 120 lbs
Seatest hydrometer
Instant Ocean salt 150 gal
Aqua Clear 150 protein skimmer
Tetra U.V. 2
Tetra Laborett test kit
Thermometer

I added the U.V & protein skimmer to the orginal set up. I wanted to be able to plumb everything at one time. Interested in good lowest possible maintenance aquarium. I have had SW aquarium before with limited sucess, but it was 25 years ago. Thanks in advance. Discovered this forum after purchase.
 
Thanks for the replies. I have to picked up the tank yet because the stand is not ready, but the tank has already been painted. We thought about blue, but did black to hide the overflows in the back of the tank. In the new all-glass aquaruiums the overflows are located toward the center of the tank against the back.

Can I cycle this set up using the dead shrimp. If so how long might it take.
Thanks.
 
Sounds like a great tank and good luck. Also we have our sides painted black (can see our tank from both the front and back as it seperates two rooms) and it does a great job of hiding the overflow.

I dont see why you couldnt cycle with the Shrimp but as I am a newbie also let the others advise. Good luck again.
Adam
 
I have seen backgrounds done both blue and black, and personally, I think the blue looks better, but that's just my opinion.

The skimmer you chose is a little questionable, as Aqua Clear has been known to make some cheap products. If you do notice it to be a little faulty (in that it does not foam a lot), get rid of it and upgrade to an ETS Super Reef Devil. They are much more effective and will do a better job in keeping your tank clean. They are a bit more expensive (about $240), however, you will soon learn that you get for what you pay for.

Other than that, everything sounds good!

Also, to answer your question, cycling the tank with dead shrimp is fine. It will probably still take about a month to six weeks. If you really wanted to speed it up though, pick up a botte of Turbo Start and it will lessen the process by two weeks! Turbo Start adds live bacteria into your tank and is sold as cheap as $19.99 per bottle.

Lastly, I would absolutely suggest that you do live rock. If you get a good amount of it, say 100-120 lbs., that alone will cycle your tank, plus, the rock serves as a great natural filtration system, it will REALLY help keep your nitrates down, and your fish will be much happier. In all honesty, the money you spend on the live rock is well worth it when your tank is finally established, plus, it helps in the beginning stages of your tank as well!

Good luck!
 
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