Hi all I have been reading through the marine tank forums for the past two days now and got a few questions about the stuff I have been reading. Ok my first question is on the sumps I am planing on buying a 180 gal + sized tank so what sized sump would be needed for a tank of this size and How exactly do they work I don't quite understand all the things I have been reading about them. Also If I do use a sump on my tank do I not have to use a protein skimmer I remember reading somewhere that it keeps the tank water clear. Also what kind of Filters would be required for a tank of this size I am looking at the Hydor Koralia Controllable Pumps & Wavemakers on DR.foster smith This is all greek to me so I am a little in awe at the world of maine fish keeping Is there any where I could go to read some more in depth stuff about the diffrent parts required to make a salt water tank work? Is there anything else I should look at getting for the tank so Far I got a Sump, Powerheads and filter (although im unsure of what a good brand would be),And Refractometor Written down what else would I need this is just in the planning and priceing stage so no rush and sorry if I missed all this in my readings this is all just so alien to me. Its been years since I last keept a tank and that was a 55 gal fresh water with undergravel filter back in the day where the fish only got as big as there tank:raspberry:
Marine tank Newbie questions
- Thread starter psychoticpengwn
- Start date
Here is a real good site someone once gave me to explain sumps it has a lot of info. http://www.melevsreef.com/links.html I use a protein skimmer and from what I have heard it is possible to have a tank with out one but it is suggested for beginners.
For filters u have the protein skimmer and i use and most seem to like a refuge which is a place you can keep a deep sand bed, live rock, and algae to do a lot of the filtering, but someone else can probably explain it better then me.
For filters u have the protein skimmer and i use and most seem to like a refuge which is a place you can keep a deep sand bed, live rock, and algae to do a lot of the filtering, but someone else can probably explain it better then me.
Thank you for the link I am reading through it now! Ok so a sump is not a replacement for a Protein skimmer correct? Looking at the pics that the guy in the link has allot of stuff to it and the sump Kinda looks like a mini fish tank to me ill read through and see what I can get out of it and ask any questions I got here.
Skimmers are not really needed. They help alot though. Proper amount of LR and proper and frequent water changes(like once a week) allow no skimmer. I dont have skimmers on either of my tanks and they are thriving.
Here is a short list with great info written by a fellow AC user. http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/blog.php?b=21
Here is a short list with great info written by a fellow AC user. http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/blog.php?b=21
I would use a sump as big as you can fit inside the stand or you could even do a basement sump, just try to find at least a 75 gallon and then all you need to do is silicone 3 pieces of glass into the tank, the first section could be about 11 inches and the last section about 12 inches and the middle section would be for macro. I think its best to use a skimmer on anything 29 gallons and up. With the proper amount of LR and proper flow you wont need an external filter just the sump, skimmer and LR. What do you plan to have FO, FOWLR or Reef. I would suggest this book Conscientious Marine Aquarist by Bob Fenner.
Ill have to look that book up. I dont have that big of plans for it just a few live rocks for hides I really want to do some sort of eel and possibly a lion fish or a puffer but that's all I got for stock right now I would love to do a bamboo cat shark or a octopus but it says there for experienced keepers only so ill have to hold off on that one for some time. And if its not a marine tank I may do a brackish tank With some archer fish or a snow flake moray. Im still looking at all the cool possabilitys Im wanting a predatory tank even though I could only have one or two fish in it got any suggestions. Oh also can a cheap rubermaid tub be converted to a sump and work for a long time I know I have seen some that have been but how long do they really last for? Thanks for all the help and pointing me twords more scources to learn more about this
Snowflakes are NOT brackish water eels. I would suggest going with an over sized and high quality skimmer if you are going with a predator tank. I wouldnt use a rubbermade tub because it would be difficult to put baffles in, you could use a 55 gallon and use an external skimmer like this one but this is as small as I would go.
https://diyreef.authsecure.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=91_128&products_id=531
https://diyreef.authsecure.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=91_128&products_id=531
Really Once more petco has a animal in the wrong enclosure One of our local petco stores has the snowflake in a brackish water enclosure that really don't shock me much seeing all the other animals they have in the wrong enclosures. It looks as though I may only be able to fit a 120 gal tank into the room and so I dont blow a whole in the floor with the tank weight. What would a good powerhead system be for a tank of that size and what is the difference between a circulation and Highpower power heads? Also with the powerheads,Protein skimmer, and sump I wont need a filtration system correct? Sorry for all the newbie questions I am sure you guys get this all the time but I want to get all my ducks in a row before forking out cash on something like this
Hi penguin, Before I suggest other than the largest sump you can fit under the tank and afford, I would like to know more about how you live daily life.
Some like a natural approach, some are absolute purest, some experiment, some follow the text book approach.
I lean toward natural/experimental. There will be as many views as there are people.
Almost a year without a water change or skimmer in one thread. Some people have tank problems doing things perfect.
Best advice: Large sump and the Main tank drilled for overflows. As long as your Main/display tank is drilled and plumbed with valves, you can set the sump up later down the road.
With new tanks, you have time windows for adding things. The sooner the main tank gets water and rocks and circulation and heat, the sooner you can get livestock. At each stage you can evaluate the direction you want to go.
If you buy a tank that is not drilled, then after you have it filled decide to do the sump, you pretty much are stuck with problematic overflows or emptying your tank to drill.
Also something not talked about alot is leveling your new large tank. A larger tank that is not leveled proper, may not leak at first, but a year or so down the road can start to leak or even fail.
When you buy your tank or choose the dimensions, remember a taller tank will need stronger lights to reach corals etc.=$$$$
Welcome to the salty side :dance:
Some like a natural approach, some are absolute purest, some experiment, some follow the text book approach.
I lean toward natural/experimental. There will be as many views as there are people.
Almost a year without a water change or skimmer in one thread. Some people have tank problems doing things perfect.
Best advice: Large sump and the Main tank drilled for overflows. As long as your Main/display tank is drilled and plumbed with valves, you can set the sump up later down the road.
With new tanks, you have time windows for adding things. The sooner the main tank gets water and rocks and circulation and heat, the sooner you can get livestock. At each stage you can evaluate the direction you want to go.
If you buy a tank that is not drilled, then after you have it filled decide to do the sump, you pretty much are stuck with problematic overflows or emptying your tank to drill.
Also something not talked about alot is leveling your new large tank. A larger tank that is not leveled proper, may not leak at first, but a year or so down the road can start to leak or even fail.
When you buy your tank or choose the dimensions, remember a taller tank will need stronger lights to reach corals etc.=$$$$
Welcome to the salty side :dance:
Are you looking at a 4 foot 120 or a 6 foot 120. I would suggest about 1 1/4 lbs of LR per gallon unless you are going to try sharks or rays but then again a 120 would be too small for either one. I agree on drilling your tank as it makes things much easier but I would put a fuge online at the start but thats JMO