Filtration question

[Anonymous]

I'm looking at getting into the reef keeping hobby. The guy at my local store has a 70 gallon setup on sale, and i'm thinking about it. The question i have is about the filtration. It has one of those little side mount filters on it, and i was wondering if i should be going with a wet dry system with a sump underneat and all that. I'm not sure on the differences and all that, so if you could let me know what to do i would really appreciate it. Can i just use the little side mounts on a smaller tank like that and have no problem? If i go with a 90 or 120 gallon tank what should i do? They guy at the shop told me it'd be about $400 to go with a sump tank and wet dry filter and pump, is that about right?

Thanks

 

[ChrisRD]

I'd recommend doing some research before you purchase anything.

Check out the Reefs.Org library, for example: http://www.reefs.org/library/newbieguide.htm

Also, check into some good books. There's a recommended reading list in the library as well: http://www.reefs.org/library/reading/

HTH

 

[Mogo]

Of course I agree. You should read everything you can at this point and even buy a good reference book or 2. There are several good ones. My personal favorite is "The Reef Aquarium", Delbeek and Sprung Vol. 1 that I still refer to from time to time. My once new 140 gal tank sat on my living room floor (coffee table :wink: ) for over a year while I gleaned info from all over and planned it out so that I had a chance of doing things properly from the start.

From your research you will find that live rock and sand beds act as important filters, skimmers are invaluable to most aquarists, and wet dry filters are not desirable to some of us. Also you should have a good understanding of saltwater chemistry and how various components work together to maintain a balance that is acceptable for keeping inhabitants.

And that, you will find, is just a start to this magnificent obse$$ion.