Fish only 210 gallon equipment

[ReeferReefer]

Looking for some setup ideas. My friend just got a new house with a built in tank. It's an in wall 103x22x22 with a 36x12x12 sump.

We are looking to do a fish only system with the possibility of corals down to road. It's got an old wet dry filter that I think I am going to gut and replace with a skimmer.

I was thinking we could put a at least 100 lbs of rock in and getting it cycled. Then going with peaceful mostly reef safe fish.

Top contenders are Marron clowns, yellow tang, and wrasses.

Current equipments upgrades include Apex, ATO and skimmer. Not sure if I can fit a fuge in the sump too. Not sure if we need an rodi for fish only.

Stocking and equipment suggestions welcome!

 

[ReeferReefer]

My idea is to pull the Bio balls and put a fuge in the first chamber and run a skimmer in the second chamber. I was thinking of using a Curve 9 skimmer.

 

[Hemmdog]

Reef safe fish do best in reefs. If your buddy wants to consider doing a reef down the road to have sweet fish and coral that would change everything. I wouldn’t use that sump, but that’s just me.

 

[ReeferReefer]

Reef safe fish do best in reefs. If your buddy wants to consider doing a reef down the road to have sweet fish and coral that would change everything. I wouldn’t use that sump, but that’s just me.

Well they don't know if they want to spend the time and money on a reef yet. That's why I figured it would be nice to set it up so they could just add good lighting and some softies if they felt like it down the road.

The other option is leave it fish only but I know less about those systems.


Any recommendations on a sump that will fit in these dimensions then? As you can see it has its own stand with molding and I don't want to re do it.

I'm going to clean out the system this week so I'll see how easy it is to remove the sump. Maybe we can go bigger and make things easier.

 

[fabutahoun]

It sounds Like a good Idea to start with easy and reef safe fish then add corals when the aquarium and owner is more comfortable with keeping marine aquarium.

For the sump you need to check the diminutions of the skimmer to see if it can fit. Bio balls are somehow an old approach and will turn into nitrate factory if not cleaned regularly.
IMHO, you can convert this wet dry filter into a sump without a refguim, I feel this sump is too small to have an refguim, with refgiums the bigger is better and its recommended that the fuge volume is not less than 10% of aquarium volume

 

[joseserrano]

I would just get a new sump made. Not cheap out. It’s a pretty big tank. If you want to go reef later on. Do it right the first time around and don’t end up buying things twice.

 

[Hemmdog]

Well they don't know if they want to spend the time and money on a reef yet. That's why I figured it would be nice to set it up so they could just add good lighting and some softies if they felt like it down the road.

The other option is leave it fish only but I know less about those systems.


Any recommendations on a sump that will fit in these dimensions then? As you can see it has its own stand with molding and I don't want to re do it.

I'm going to clean out the system this week so I'll see how easy it is to remove the sump. Maybe we can go bigger and make things easier.

That’s just molding sitting on concrete that’s not a fancy stand. This is a great sump same length, it’s going to have to be a little wider especially for a skimmer on a display that big. https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/ruby-sump-36-trigger-systems.html

 

[Hemmdog]

I would just get a new sump made. Not cheap out. It’s a pretty big tank. If you want to go reef later on. Do it right the first time around and don’t end up buying things twice.

Yea that’s what I was getting at with my first post lol

 

[ReeferReefer]

So a Ruby 36 with curve 7 skimmer would be a good place to start then?

 

[Hemmdog]

So a Ruby 36 with curve 7 skimmer would be a good place to start then?

I think so but ask around. Everyone has vastly different opinions.

Ideally you’d want a bigger one like something in the 40+ inches range if he’s willing to have it take a little more space. I wish my sump was bigger I have the trigger 26 emerald

 

[fabutahoun]

I think the curve 7 is undersized for this tank, Curve 9 is a better option.
If you are concern that the skimmer can't fit inside the sump you can install an External/Recirculating skimmer.

 

[ReeferReefer]

Thanks guys. I'll see if we can't replace the sump with something larger. I was hoping to run a refugium, even if a bit small since the display will have fowlr lighting, I figured we could out compete algae in the display.

 

[ReeferReefer]

I should mention that it comes with an old uv sterilizer. How can I test it? Does it have parts that need servicing?

 

[fabutahoun]

If you are going to start the uv sterilizer, I'd change the UV bulbs. usually it is recommended to change the lights every 6 months.

 

[ReeferReefer]

If you are going to start the uv sterilizer, I'd change the UV bulbs. usually it is recommended to change the lights every 6 months.

Sounds good. I'll replace the bulb. We are going to set up an ATO and look into an external skimmer.