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Discussion in 'Say Hello!' started by jmik26, Oct 20, 2009.

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  1. jmik26

    jmik26 Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2009
    Messages:
    95
    Location:
    South Side of Chicago
    Just a quick hello. I have been trolling for a month or so reading different things, there is a lot to digest..

    I purchased my tank Sunday which is a 90 Gallon Aqueon with the megaflow overflow system. I designed the stand Sunday night with Google Sketch Up and built it Monday. Right now its only the 2x4 structure, I plan to wrap it with oak after the tank is set up and everything looks good.

    In the weeks to come I have to:
    1. Decide if im gonna buy a RO unit.
    2. Research and decide on a good brand of filter. LFS is pushing bio-balls?
    3. Get water/salt mixture going in buckets with a power head.
    4. Re-enforce floor joists.
    5. Get some crushed coral.
    6. Fill tank.
    7. Figure out best road to get tank going? Not sure if it will be FO or FOWLR?

    I am sure all the answers I need are on the site, there will be many cross eyed nights reading through the forum. Any comments, suggestions, or links feel free...

    Jeff
     
    jmik26, Oct 20, 2009
    jmik26, Oct 20, 2009
    #1

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  2. steve wright

    steve wright Super Moderator

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2009
    Messages:
    11,284
    Location:
    shenzhen Guangdong PRC
    welcome to 3 reef

    RO or RODI unit - Nike - just do it , sure many use tap water with zero issues, but they are the exceptions rather than the rule , IMHO you will have to much invested to risk it all on the consequences of inconsistent water quality - doubly important if you or when you do go reef (many FO or FOWLR set ups end up as reefs)

    Steve
     
    steve wright, Oct 20, 2009
    steve wright, Oct 20, 2009
    #2
  3. Puffer Chick

    Puffer Chick Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2009
    Messages:
    9,144
    Location:
    The OC, California
    welcome, can't wait to see pics
     
    Puffer Chick, Oct 20, 2009
    Puffer Chick, Oct 20, 2009
    #3
  4. acemow

    acemow Purple Spiny Lobster

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2009
    Messages:
    481
    Location:
    Cape Coral, Florida
    Hi and Welcome! I agree with the RO/RODI, there are plenty of good units out there with a low price tag, easy to find online. If you're going with FOWLR or FO, bio-balls could be okay, they just tend to build up nitrate levels that aren't good for corals. Lots of info on this site about maintaining the bio-balls. I like the sump setup for filtration, for me, I also have a protein skimmer in sump and phosphate reactor hang-on style, which I am currently running Chemi-Pure Elite in. Have fun creating your box-o-ocean!
     
    acemow, Oct 20, 2009
    acemow, Oct 20, 2009
    #4
  5. mikejrice

    mikejrice 3reef Affiliate

    Joined:
    May 24, 2009
    Messages:
    5,926
    Location:
    Colorado
    Welcome to 3reef.

    If you are going to stay FO or FOWLR bio-balls should work well. If you think you may add some coral down the road a bio-ball filter is not going to be the best investment. Look into refugiums. You can make one for cheaper than a bio-ball filter and it will out perform by far.

    Crushed coral tends to trap detritus which can cause problems in the future. Most people find that sand is much better.

    I strongly advise FOWLR. Live rock filters more than any other filter you can put on your system. Look into getting dry rock. It's much cheaper and will become live rock in short order. I like to do about 95% dry rock, 5% live rock to seed it.


    What are you planning on using for flow. For a FOWLR I would try to get at least 20x turnover of the tank. FO you could probably go even less as long as you don't end up with dead spots.
     
    mikejrice, Oct 20, 2009
    mikejrice, Oct 20, 2009
    #5
  6. Geoff

    Geoff Teardrop Maxima Clam

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2009
    Messages:
    808
    Location:
    Jasper,Al
    Welcome to 3reef.
     
    Geoff, Oct 20, 2009
    Geoff, Oct 20, 2009
    #6

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  7. anpgp

    anpgp Dragon Wrasse

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2009
    Messages:
    2,161
    Location:
    Denver, CO
    Welcome to 3reef.
     
    anpgp, Oct 20, 2009
    anpgp, Oct 20, 2009
    #7
  8. bama

    bama Humpback Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2009
    Messages:
    2,788
    Location:
    Houston, TEXAS
    welcome, you came to the right place!!

    one rule of 3reef is never be afraid to ask as many questions about anything on here.. it can save you A LOT of headache and money down the road!!

    Cant wait to see your tank
     
    bama, Oct 20, 2009
    bama, Oct 20, 2009
    #8
  9. jmik26

    jmik26 Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2009
    Messages:
    95
    Location:
    South Side of Chicago
    Thanks for the warm welcome. This place can make a learning curve almost vertical :cheesy:....Jeff
     
    jmik26, Oct 21, 2009
    jmik26, Oct 21, 2009
    #9
  10. Otty

    Otty Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2006
    Messages:
    6,467
    Location:
    Elizabethtown, IN
    Welcome to 3Reef!!! :)
     
    Otty, Oct 21, 2009
    Otty, Oct 21, 2009
    #10
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