Intro of myself. New to saltwater.

Hello all,

I have always been fascinated with saltwater tanks, especially reef tanks since i was a little boy. But the amount of energy and money involved with having a reef tank has prevented me from starting one. I'm 29 now and have a good job which has allowed me to properly start a reef tank.

I've been reading a lot of forums, 3reef, reefcentral, and several other sites on how to start a saltwater aquarium. I think i'm ready now to proceed. I hope that you guys can give me a few pointers here and there on what to do.

I would like some feedback as to the proper equipment that is required to maintain a healthy and beautiful reef tank.

Starting Budge=$3000.00

Standard Equipment
-custom Tank:40x24x24 100gallons with an overflow(2.25" and 1.75" holes)
-Stand and 12" tall canopy
-Sump 30 gallons custom made by LFS
=$1400.00

Pumps
I'm undecided on which brand to get. I want one that is reliable, strong, quite and efficient. Here are my available choices.
-Dolphin sea 4000/3000 = 299.00 but i see refurb ebay ones for 230.00 Any comments on these refurbed pumps??
-Sequence ReeFlo Barracuda = 290.00
-Little Giant Inline water pump = 170.00
Or any other suggestions.

Protein Skimmer
-PCI (octopus) RPS1000 recirculating skimmer cap 125gl = 210.00 no pump
-ASM G1x up to 150gl = 220.00 includes pump
The more research i've done the more i'm thinking about going with the ASM.

So if i went with the Sequence/ASM Skimmer = 510+20sh=530.00

Balance = 1070.00

LR- around 100lbs = I know i should have more lr, but the back of my tank has been sprayed with Foam. The owner said because of the porous surface of the foam, i can go with less live rock then normally needed. LR is pretty damn expensive! LFS sells cured for 6.50/lb. I'm thinking about going the uncured route, but don't know how it's going to smell in my lr/dr for 3 weeks. Wife might get pissed.

Any recommendations for online suppliers of good quality LR and good prices? I've looked at aquariumarts.com they have cured for 4.99/lb +shipping. I've seen places selling for 2.25-2.75/lb cured or uncured i don't know.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post. Hope to hear from ya...


Bao

 

Well to start welcome. Reef keeping is a very rewarding hobby and to do it right you must research first and buy second but it sounds like you've got that part down.

To help you out a bit little giant pumps are very good and worth the money, I don't know much about the other two.

I personally have a ASM G2 skimmer and love it. I'd go with the G2 over the G1 in case you decide to upgrade in the future. It helps to have a skimmer that can easily handle your tank as well.

If I were you I'd go with the uncured live rock to save a few bucks. It will also help with your cycle to use the uncured if you're not in a hurry to stock...

That's about all the info I have right now...

have you thought about sand? I might have missed that part...

 

welcome to 3reef

 

Thanks for the response Kogle. I am going to use the sand calculator that 3reef has here on the site to determine how many lbs i need. Most likely going with the aragonite sand or live sand with coral in it.

About the pump. I know that the dolphin/sequence reeflo are some heavy duty pumps. Is it justifiable to spend that much on a pump for a 100+30(sump)=130 gallon tank? The Little giant model that i'm considering has a flow rate of 1325gph @1ft head.

I've read where the ideal flowrate for a tank should be 20 times an hour for a reef tank, some enthusiasts have it at 40-50 times an hour. So I don't know which route to go.. I've even considered the mag drive 36, but it doesn't look as heavy duty as the dolphin/sequence pumps. How reliable are they?

Here is a picture of my tank.. You can see the backing where it is covered in Foam. looks just like real LR.




what is the difference between a recirculating skimmer and a non-ecirculating one? THe PSI Octopus is recirculating while the ASM is not..

Thanks

 

welcome to 3reef!
Your best bet is to read about the saltwater hobby! Also research the various brand names regarding equipment!!!! Think about what you plan on doing as far as biotope/FOWLR or a full blown reef! This will answer you lighting scheme better that way!
Their are so many variables that need to be addressed before setting up a tank! Concentrating on these issues will go along way in your success and that of your tankan its inhabitants!
For me to write everything down would take a while as I just don't want to answer the few questions you stated above as their are other needs that need to be focused on for you to get the most out of your tank and delve into the saltwater hobby!
I want you to be successful and enjoy this rewarding hobby, that is why for you to read one of the many beginner books on the hobby would greatly help you out!!!
Best of luck!

 

To 3Reef!!!



The Tao of Marine Aquaria
Tips for Our Hobby and Life

© 1997 Adam H. Whitlock
Edited By Elizabeth M. Lukan 11/25/00


(© Fair Use Doctrine of International Copyright Law ©)


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Nice tank!

Keep us posted on your progress. We all here enjoy watching a new reef develope.

 

You only need a Mag 12 or a Mag 18 as a return pump depending upon the max flow of your over flow or stand pipes if you have a drilled tank. Your return pump cannot pump more gph than what your overflow is rated for once you take into account the total head pressure. The part about having 20x's your tank volume in total flow in the tank has to do with total flow from your power heads and return pump. You will want multiple power heads in the tank to prevent any dead spots and to create different currents throughout the tank..

40-50x's your tank volume is way too much IMHO.
And Mag pumps are excellent pumps, well made and I'm going out on a limb here but I'd say they are probably one of the most popular pumps in this hobby. Also, going with a Mag 12-18 wont give you a heart attack when you see your electric bill.

As far as live rock is concerned, think about using some dead reef rock in addition to live rock.

I hope this helps some.
Larry

 

THanks guys, I really appreciate the input. HOwever i'm a little concerned about using a Mag pump because i've heard that it adds heat to the tank. My main concern is because i plan on using 2 250wat MH and 2 t5's in a custom retrofit. I was thinking about getting the Pan WOrld 100PX-X pump (external) for 165.00 from marine depot. The Mag 12 is 107.00. So it's about 50 bucks difference.

I know that MH add a lot of heat to the tank. The reason why i'm deciding on MH is b/c my LFS suggested that i go with MH for the size/depth of my tank. I told them that i wanted to keep some clams and some soft corrals. He suggested that I go with MH cause T5's won't be able to penetrate far enough for the clams. ANy truth to that? My tank is 24 inches tall.

My progress so far is that i'm still waiting on my sump to be completed. Hopefully i can pick it up tomorrow and start planning on the plumbing. I can't wait!

Will keep you guys posted.

 

Go with MH's and you wont be sorry!