Aquarium Build Questions / Input

[Robert De Lisle]

Afternoon and Happy New Years reefers. Ive been doing a ton of reading/researching to the point I am almost completely lost again. So, I have a few things I would like to bounce off you all:

I have a 75 gallon long (not drilled) with a Emperor 400 hang on filter and a Hydor Koralia circulation and wave pump. It is rated at 850gph. I laid 80 pounds of live sand. I have about 30 pounds of base rock (red lava) and then 11 pounds of live rock (4 pieces) staggered on top for seeding. From what I have been reading, this is going to take about 3 months to cycle? I would like to keep it as simple as possible but set up to be able to grow anything I desire in the future.

1. Is there a faster way to cycle a tank? Should I add more live rock etc?

2. Is the reef octopus HOB skimmer rated for 100 gal the best skimmer to get for my set up? Is there another route to go after Im already at the stage Im at?

3. Do I need another power head for more circulation?

4. I currently have a 4 bulb T5 set up on a timer. I am looking at the Orbit 48" LED fixtures. Would this be good for my potential set up?

5. Ive seen some you tube videos where people are cycling their tanks but have a couple of fish in them. Is this common practice?


I know these are a lot of questions but I would like to get my plan laid out soon and have a plan of action. (tax season is soon) :tongue:

Thanks all

 

[Mole]

First things first, get rid of the hang on filter, unless you are absolutely religious about cleaning it spotless every few days, it WILL become an issue for nitrates, and you don't want that.

 

[Robert De Lisle]

Okay....

 

[Robert De Lisle]

First things first, get rid of the hang on filter, unless you are absolutely religious about cleaning it spotless every few days, it WILL become an issue for nitrates, and you don't want that.

So when I read somwhere that carbon was good for a salt tank....that is not the case?

 

[Reefing Madness]

Some use Carbon, some don't. I don't
Activated Carbon: HLLE Smoking Gun Found | Coral Magazine

You need more flow, at least 10x your tank volume. HOB don't count, as they have no flow except on the surface.
Reef Octopus BH 2000 would be a good skimmer for you
You want at least 1lb of Live Rock or rock per gallon, to start with, you are quite a bit under that. But in order to shorten the cycle you either go with all Fully Cured Liver Rock, or you add in liquid jump starter, (bacteria in a bottle)
Nothing wrong with your T5's but LEDs would go farther, and are much stronger. All depends on what you plan on keeping in the tank.

 

[Robert De Lisle]

Some use Carbon, some don't. I don't
Activated Carbon: HLLE Smoking Gun Found | Coral Magazine

You need more flow, at least 10x your tank volume. HOB don't count, as they have no flow except on the surface.
Reef Octopus BH 2000 would be a good skimmer for you
You want at least 1lb of Live Rock or rock per gallon, to start with, you are quite a bit under that. But in order to shorten the cycle you either go with all Fully Cured Liver Rock, or you add in liquid jump starter, (bacteria in a bottle)
Nothing wrong with your T5's but LEDs would go farther, and are much stronger. All depends on what you plan on keeping in the tank.

I would just like to not be limited in what I would like to grow. Since I am a newbie I figured I would probably just start with some mushrooms.... I hear those are easy?

 

[Reefing Madness]

Sure, those are pretty hardy beginner coral. Palys, too. LEDs would allow you to keep anything.

 

[Robert De Lisle]

Out with the lava and started over with all live rock

 

[Robert De Lisle]

Another weird question..... I had removed the HOB filter from my tank as It was suggested. My question Is If the only Issue with that Is because of the bio wheel causing Issues, could I just remove those and be ok?

 

[Moonreef]

Detritus will build up in all the corners and become a nitrate factory. It's the design of the hob filter that causes it to be ineffective due to lowering the flow of water through it and allowing some stuff to accumulate in there. You can get a siphon for the tank and most people report success with them. IMHO I think that drilling a tank is your best bet because you won't break the siphon. Now I know there are lift pumps to keep the hang over back skimmers primed but there's just so dang many what ifs with those things.

 

[Robert De Lisle]

Well it's too late to drill my tank so I guess the hob skimmer and live rock will have to be enough then huh?

 

[Moonreef]

And FYI, my 55 tank has a danger mag drive 700, 2 Sicce voyager 3's and 2 hydor koralia 1050's and I can't get enough flow. I'm building a 40 breeder now and will be redoing all this though to get the most flow.

 

[Moonreef]

Well it's too late to drill my tank so I guess the hob skimmer and live rock will have to be enough then huh?

Absolutely, I would suggest not skimping here though because a knock of skimmer may be cheaper but one overflow to the floor and you'll wish u spent a couple bucks more.

 

[Robert De Lisle]

Cool.... Ty very much for your input

 

[Moonreef]

Also, words of wisdom....I can't tell from your pic but I'd suggest moving that rock away from the rear glass somewhat to allow flow behind there. Lots of crud will build up behind there on you.

 

[Robert De Lisle]

I have a hydor power head pushing flow behind the rocks and ordered another one for the front side. I'm thinking that should give me a good vortex type of flow?

 

[tyler1503]

I have a hydor power head pushing flow behind the rocks and ordered another one for the front side. I'm thinking that should give me a good vortex type of flow?

Should be good
Angle the front one towards the top of the tank so there's a decent ripple going on on the surface. This will help with gas exchange and help slow down that oily film some sumpless tanks get.
I would personally add a 3rd powerhead on the same side of the tank as the one blowing across the front and let it blow across the front of the rocks (maybe a less powerful one. You don't want to blow your coral away!), but until you start getting into the more flow demanding corals and inverts you'll be fine with the 2 you already have.

 

[Robert De Lisle]

Thank you Tyler

 

[tyler1503]

No worries
You mentioned earlier that you'll be adding mushrooms as a first coral. Is that because they're generally easier? They will likely grow out of control at one point. Mine took years to start growing, but now I'm wishing I never added them.

 

[Robert De Lisle]

Well seeing as how I don't java full blown refugium/sump at this time (or in the near future) I'm going to try and just keep hardier corals.