Newbie here... help!

[weinie]

Hey all... been trolling the forum for a few weeks now... great stuff!

I'm really getting hooked on building a reef tank. I've had several freshwater tanks years ago but never saltwater. Anyway, I've been doing my reading and am getting psyched up!

I'm looking to get a 150 tenecor acrylic marine ready setup w/ Red Sea protein skimmer. I've never seen one in person but their web site looks professional... (famous last words?) Am I making a wise choice?

Also, Im probably going to need about 225 lbs of live rock. I'd like something a little nicer than atlantic , maybe tonga. Where is the best source as far as price and conservation is concerned. Also, If i cure it myself in my new tank, how bad will my house stink???!?!?!?

Thanks!

 

[WannaBeReefer]

I think for a tank that size you may want to spend some more on a better skimmer. A good skimmer is not cheap, but its worth it weight in gold... I have a Euro-Reef and love it.

You can find rock online, look in the sponsors section, as far as stink! with that much un-cured rock its not going to smell pretty. I bought mine from Harbor Aquatics and was pleased, they let it cure in house for a few weeks then ship it to you, depending on how long its out of water during shipping you may get away with a mini stink... I bought 90 pounds and detected a very small ammonia spike for 2 days then it was done. With all that being said... for the 2 days it smelled very musty, not very offensive, but It was noticable.

 

[Anonymous]

:welcome:

Ditto on the skimmer. I suggest something in sump that is big!

Also, check locally for used live rock. It is all over the place.

RR

 

[weinie]

With a top of the line protein skimmer, will I still need other mechanical filtration (i.e. prefilter which is built into the tank and external wet/dry unit)? Do you think I'll still have room in the stand for a sump large enough for this skimmer? Which size EuroReef is recommened?
Questions questions questions!!!!

 

[WannaBeReefer]

CS8-2 seems like its the size you would want, anyone else have an opinion? With a good skimmer you should not need any other mechanical filtration, the biological filtration will be handled by your live rock. Read up on the Berlin System/Method of filtration. Personally I like a prefilter to stop any large stuff from getting sucked into my skimmer pump. I use a filter sock.

What I did was use another tank as a sump, this takes the place of the wet dry. I siliconed some baffles in the middle to make sections. one section is for the skimmer and heaters, the other section is for my return pump. The middle portion is a sponge that traps any micro bubles that may escape from the skimmer. My Euroreef has never done this so its just for show right now. I was going to buy a sump until I seen that price was $250 for basically the same thing as a $30 used tank.

 

[grav]

You don't want a wet/dry, unless you are planning a Fish only tank, and even if you are, you'll get hooked on coral soon.

Good skimmer, sand bed, lots of LR, prefilter, mabe a Refuge down the road, (soon bob will tell you about thriving macro) and you are good to go.

2 places not to go cheapo are on skimmers and lights.

and pumps

and the tank

oh, and fish

then there is coral

heaters are critical

then you will need a chiller

get (or build) a quality stand

but mostly lights and skimmer

 

[weinie]

Wannabereefer...

Do you have any pics of your setup or links to a similar one so that I can get a closeup of how to do the plumbing? It would be a shame to throw in an whole grand for a "marine ready" tenecor tank if I can do better with a 10gallon fish tank as a sump and a protein skimmer. Its just that I wouldnt know what size pumps, hoses, etc to use and how to connect everything for best results.

 

[SnowManSnow]

I've noticed somthin' as I've come into the hobby... MOST of the time people plan on too much LR.. IMO... even J. Sprung in "The Reef Aquarium", states that since different kinds of RL display differnet densities so weight isn't a good way to tell how much you need. He suggests, and I happen to agree that volume is the best measurement for LR. LR that fills apx. 1/3rd of the tank seems to be a good ammount. LOTS of holes and crannies are good. I personally like Fuji rock... when you DO pick out your rock.. try to find a variety of shapes ... youll need some nice solid wide footing rocks.. and some flatter rocks for overhangs and caves

ALSO... careful not to pick up nasties if you hand pick your rock from a LFS.. stay away from Glass Anemonies and the sort.

BTW you shouldnt have a problem curing your LR in your tank from the start.

B.

 

[WannaBeReefer]

I have nothing special, probably the same thing that alot of people have here.

I just copied this.
http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_fil ... sp?CartId=

They are nice enough to give exact demensions. As far as the size goes, I would get as big a tank as possible, some people use rubbermaid containers instead of a tank.