Brand new to the Game need advice!

Wildey93 · Jun 6, 2019

Hi guys, I have been given this tank due to a family member upgrading theres!

WhatsApp Image 2019-06-05 at 22.48.44.jpeg

I want to run it as a saltwater tank, would I be able to do this with a canister filter instead of a sump, only to begin with, im looking to try it out with 2 clown fish no live coral as if it goes wrong (hopfully it wont) I havnt lost too much!

any advice would be brilliant, ive done a bit of research into it, but looking even deeper into it,

our LFS sells live rock already set, (cant remember the word Im looking for) but looking to get tank set up and then leaving it running for around a month before adding the fish

James M · Jun 6, 2019

Welcome to reef2reef !!!!
Canister filters aren’t the greatest for marine tanks but are doable.
IMO the first step would be to completely clean the tank and canister filter.
Since you’re only doing fish for now the only equipment that’s needed is as of now is a wave maker. How many gallons is the tank ?

LiveWire · Jun 6, 2019

Welcome to the Reef!
IMO With I would clean it up and add some live rock to the system. Let it cycle completely and then get your clowns. With the equipment that you have I would just change the bulbs that are in the hood you will have no issue adding a canister filter and having success.

The key to canister filters is not being lazy and cleaning them once every 7-10 days so that they don’t build up Nitrates. If you keep the canister filter clean, feed lightly, and preform water changes once or twice a month you should not have great success.

Wildey93 · Jun 6, 2019

James M said:
Welcome to reef2reef !!!!
Canister filters aren’t the greatest for marine tanks but are doable.
IMO the first step would be to completely clean the tank and canister filter.
Since you’re only doing fish for now the only equipment that’s needed is as of now is a wave maker. How many gallons is the tank ?

I'm purchasing a new canister filter to go with the tank!

aslo may sound silly... what is IMO?

thanks for your help

Wildey93 · Jun 6, 2019

Wildey93 said:
I'm purchasing a new canister filter to go with the tank!

aslo may sound silly... what is IMO?

thanks for your help

sorry missed the gallon question

90 liters so just under 20 gallon!

Jon Fishman · Jun 6, 2019

What size tank?

Wildey93 · Jun 6, 2019

LiveWire said:
Welcome to the Reef!
IMO With I would clean it up and add some live rock to the system. Let it cycle completely and then get your clowns. With the equipment that you have I would just change the bulbs that are in the hood you will have no issue adding a canister filter and having success.

The key to canister filters is not being lazy and cleaning them once every 7-10 days so that they don’t build up Nitrates. If you keep the canister filter clean, feed lightly, and preform water changes once or twice a month you should not have great success.

Become friendly with the chap at my LFS, and he said if I buy the canister filter from there he will set it up for me as a marine tank, and is also gonna through in some free live rock!

whats best to do , buy ready mixed saltwater or mix it my self?

Wildey93 · Jun 6, 2019

Jon Fishman said:
What size tank?

90 litre pal

Jon Fishman · Jun 6, 2019

You will want to either make your own RO/DI water, and mix salt yourself, or buy saltwater already pre-mixed

90L which is.... 25 gallons or just shy of it? I would stick with the canister and buy pre-mixed water

Flippers4pups · Jun 6, 2019

Welcome to reef2reef, @Wildey93!

Here's some excellent information to get you started:

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.84/

If you have any questions, always feel free to ask.

Jon Fishman · Jun 6, 2019

Wildey93 said:
90 litre pal

Edit. nevermind. Stick to canister and pre-mixed water. Should be easy

Raege · Jun 6, 2019

Welcome to R2R

Wildey93 · Jun 6, 2019

Jon Fishman said:
Look into how much a canister filter is. You may be able to scoop up a cheap sump with overflow etc for the same price

the canister filter ive seen is £79.99

only issue is my tank hasn't been drilled for a sump or can I get hang on back for the sump?

Wildey93 · Jun 6, 2019

Jon Fishman said:
You will want to either make your own RO/DI water, and mix salt yourself, or buy saltwater already pre-mixed

90L which is.... 25 gallons or just shy of it? I would stick with the canister and buy pre-mixed water

Thank you very much!

Jon Fishman · Jun 6, 2019

Wildey93 said:
the canister filter ive seen is £79.99

only issue is my tank hasn't been drilled for a sump or can I get hang on back for the sump?

Overflow hangs on back. It’s what my 75g uses. So 285L

It’s nice to put your heater and thermometer etc in the sump. Clean tank look

Wildey93 · Jun 6, 2019

Jon Fishman said:
Overflow hangs on back. It’s what my 75g uses. So 285L

cool!

would you advise a protine skimmer? my LFS said if its just starting out and getting used to it with my set up I wouldn't need on just be prepared to run my net through the top of the tank every couple of days and that will keep it ok

Jon Fishman · Jun 6, 2019

Wildey93 said:
cool!

would you advise a protine skimmer? my LFS said if its just starting out and getting used to it with my set up I wouldn't need on just be prepared to run my net through the top of the tank every couple of days and that will keep it ok

Net..... no. doesn’t work that way. But you can certainly get by with fish only and no skimmer for a LONG time. I would definitely recommend adding one eventually though. In the sump

Flippers4pups · Jun 6, 2019

The way I look at it, a canister filter is for mechanical filtration only and would be used for GAC/filter pads. These would be a "once in a while" application and wouldn't be needed all the time. Hence the term applied to canister filters as a "nitrate factory". Just not needed all the time.

A skimmer would be better, HOB skimmer for this application.