Reviving Old Tank

My dad had a 50 gallon saltwater setup that he had stored in his attic for around 5 years. I found it the other day and decided I'd like to try it out as a hobby. I plan to use the tank for fish-only. I stopped by the local pet store, but they were useless when it came to saltwater setup.

I have a few questions:

1) One of the 2 power heads was nonfunctional. The other made a lot of noise unless it was in reverse mode (it is an AquaClear 402). Is this normal? Should I replace the loud powerhead or should it be ok?

2) The Whisper Power Filter is cracked near the pump connection at the bottom. Any suggestions on a budget-focused HOB filter?

3) My dad never had/used a protein skimmer, he only had 2 powerheads with UG filtering, a HOB filter, and an air pump. Is a protein skimmer necessary? If yes, any recommendations?

Thanks in advance for all the help!

David

 

I would toss the hob filter and look for a hob skimmer, unless you are able to get a sump which would be more ideal but not mandatory. I would toss the powerheads too. Check eBay for a couple of koralias.
Oh and welcome to 3reef...best forum on the net.

 

Good questions see above in red.

Welcome to 3reef.

 

Thanks for both replies!

So, I will:

1) Ditch the UG setup and powerheads
2) Order Koralia Evolutions for circulation ($25/ea shipped on Amazon Prime)
3) Order AquaClear 50 Power Filter ($33/ea shipped on Amazon Prime)

My time is still not valuable enough to make a protein skimmer economical, so I'll just stick with the HOB filter, air pump, and Koralia's for now and do the extra work.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks again!

 

i like the reef octopus bh100ss HOB skimmer it works fanasticly. and when you get into this hobby it takes alot of research and devotion, but it is extremly rewarding, ill tell you that

 

Er, a skimmer keeps you from having to do as many water changes. It probably cuts down on the number by about half, if not more. Even if your time isn't valuable, the salt mix and RO water are.

 

Would I still need a HOB filter if I went with this HOB skimmer? Sorry, I'm still trying to understand everything...thanks for the help!

 

I'm new to sw tanks (3 weeks new), but I have learned a few things on these forums. Protein skimmers would be a good way to go, and there are hob models as well. I do not believe you need to use a sump with them, but you could at a later time if you wanted to do so.

If this is an incorrect statement, I hope someone with more knowledge will correct me.

 

When you turned on the powerhead was it under water? If its not under water it will make squeeking noises. But you should probably buy a new one.

Have you read about having a refugium at all? If you made a 20 gallon reguium you could use that instead of the HOB filter, and you can put a HOB skimmer in the refugium by your return pump and nothing will be in your display tank. This will make your 50G tank look better and nothing will be hanging in it.

 

For those of you joining us that are new to the hobby - the best piece of advice you'll get around here as a saltwater newbie is 3Reef's slogan
"Go slow, let it grow."
And for those experianced hobbyists joining us - it's still good advice
good luck and post pics soon



read these and then come back and ask about anything you still don't understand. we'll get you squared away and on the right path

http://www.3reef.com/forums/new-hobby/how-setup-saltwater-aquarium-89044.html

http://www.3reef.com/forums/new-hobby/ultimate-newbie-guide-86462.html

http://www.3reef.com/forums/reef-aquarium-articles-how-tos/all-about-sumps-filters-fuges-79852.html

http://www.3reef.com/forums/protein-skimmers/all-about-skimmers-skimmers-skimmer-85389.html

http://www.3reef.com/forums/general-reef-topics/handy-research-links-89299.html