New tank 23 Gal

[Rybka]

Hey Guys

I am an experienced freshwater enthusiast however have never 'delved' into the marine realm. Well recently I received a Aqua One 90 Mini Reef.

So my question is really what should I put in my sump. I am just bombarded with a ton of info and I would like some input from the community.

Current Upgrades (As not a fan of Aqua One supplies that much) I changed return pump to Ehiem +2000 compact. I also changed the skimmer to a C3.5 BM. I also have a Wave maker ready to go. (Also a heater but thats a given so wasn't sure If I should mention it.

SO far I have kept the stock lights (Will possible upgrade to the Ai prime) if you guys pretty tell me its necessary as my goal is a Coral + Fish set up. Also came with a sock that seems fine/

I'm guessing I'll start with fish and then move up to coral.

The Mini reef has a 2 chamber sump so limits what can be put in there

i.e. do I waste money on UV sterilizers or reactors etc? Bio bricks (not sure if there is enough flow?)
Also which water testers are 'necessary' in marine set ups

Apologies for the questions but I don't really want to blow money on things that aren't necessary.

 

[geddavis]

Some bio balls can’t hurt. I would also put some carbon bags in there. A ATO and doser can also be very helpful when you get into corals to help with stability. You. Don’t nesesally need anything more than flow heat and light in a reef tank to be successful along with frequent water changes. However there is lots of equipment out there to do extra things and stabilize the aquarium. I would not bother with a I’ve sterilizer or reactor with a tank that small however a refugium is always nice and the above doser and ATO can help in stabillity. Also getting AI prime is a good idea for coral. For testing you want to know all the freshwater stuff ie ammonia nitrate nitrite and ph along with salts most importantly for a reef tank over all salts salinity calcium alkalinity and magnesium. Adding the calcium alkalinity and magnisium on a regular bases may be riquired Down the road depending on how heavy you stock corals.

 

[SPR1968]

You can put whatever you need in the sump, but maybe wait until the system is running and as you learn you can decide what you need to add

You might find this helpful

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

And welcome to R2R as well!

 

[MSB123]

Welcome to R2R!
I would get some carbon and an ATO.
I would also invest in an AI Prime.

 

[PatW]

The most important item would be an auto top off in your sump. The skimmer is good but for nutrient export on a 23 gallon, you can pretty near rely on water changes.

I don’t use uv sterilizer.

Testing. For cycling, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.

Hard corals use calcium carbonate to build their skeletons. They take calcium and alkalinity out of the salt water. So you need tests for ALK, Ca, and Mg. People who raise SPS corals often test ALK daily. It is important to keep things stable.

For nutrients, test for nitrate and phosphate.

Salifert and Red Sea offer good tests. I avoid Red Seas Mg but really like their Pro Nitrate test. For phosphates only Hanna ULR is sensitive enough to be meaningful.

Getting an RODI unit is a good step. One, you don’t have to go buy RODI and carry it home. Two, you mix your own saltwater. And three, you have control over your water quality and you don’t rely on someone’s say so.

 

[Rybka]

Welcome to R2R!
I would get some carbon and an ATO.
I would also invest in an AI Prime.

I'm a bit '50/50 on the carbon' but looking into it, looks like the marine side has some advanced carbon... so should be ok.

I'll probably get the AI once the corals get in there...
ATO is a must /

Would love a refugium but there really is no space

 

[geddavis]

You could try a hang on the back one or use a media basket in the display. However it is always best to just have one in a compartment/sump the other tow are ugly and the hang on the back is likely to fail.

 

[reef lover]

Welcome to r2r!!

 

[Rybka]

You could try a hang on the back one or use a media basket in the display. However it is always best to just have one in a compartment/sump the other tow are ugly and the hang on the back is likely to fail.

I know its not the same but I may just hang a second wet/dry trickle filter hanging off the back of the sump (there is an opening, may work that way.

 

[Rybka]

Getting an RODI unit is a good step. One, you don’t have to go buy RODI and carry it home. Two, you mix your own saltwater. And three, you have control over your water quality and you don’t rely on someone’s say so.

Already got an RO system from the States (we are in the land down under), I breed shrimp so need RO water anyway

 

[Rybka]

Oh and I know its probably a silly question, but in FW tanks I use pure ammonia for cycling, does the same apply for Marine?

 

[Hermie]

For your sump, it's already built right, so any solutions you'd need to fit in the AO90 installed sump? Looking at a picture, you could look into adding a baffle or two to include a space for refugium, growing chaeto/algae... In my 10 gal sump I have a mix of everything... but if you already have that powerful skimmer, that's just about all you need. I figure, having some ceramic media, some sponge/filter floss (replaceable) keeps the bacteria population going in case anything whacky happens in the display tank or w/ the live rock.

But honestly, you can do a lot in a small space if you want... I mean you have all the basics done so it's just what you feel like getting. Are you going to Quarantine your fish? If not, a UV system may be helpful. If you QT them, and are careful about preventing introducing unwanted algae strains, UV could just be a waste of space. You already have skimmer (filter + aeration) and I assume filter socks, there isn't much more to add except chemical filtration (whatever floats your boat).

If you think you will be battling algae/diatom issues, you can consider phosphorus limiting chemical media or a reactor to that effect, however if you are going to feed sparingly and keep the lights under control then you wont have a huge demand for limiting phosphorus. Honestly I'd find somewhere to put chaeto down there (or some other algae nutrient export) and a light, and then just see how it goes... IME selecting gear is all about anticipating problems (experience or shared experiences) and finding solutions when they come up unexpectedly... and with a new tank there isn't any problem really. Otherwise it's about making everything easier (ATO)

Oh and I know its probably a silly question, but in FW tanks I use pure ammonia for cycling, does the same apply for Marine?

yes

 

[Rybka]

For your sump, it's already built right, so any solutions you'd need to fit in the AO90 installed sump? Looking at a picture, you could look into adding a baffle or two to include a space for refugium, growing chaeto/algae... In my 10 gal sump I have a mix of everything... but if you already have that powerful skimmer, that's just about all you need. I figure, having some ceramic media, some sponge/filter floss (replaceable) keeps the bacteria population going in case anything whacky happens in the display tank or w/ the live rock.

But honestly, you can do a lot in a small space if you want... I mean you have all the basics done so it's just what you feel like getting. Are you going to Quarantine your fish? If not, a UV system may be helpful. If you QT them, and are careful about preventing introducing unwanted algae strains, UV could just be a waste of space. You already have skimmer (filter + aeration) and I assume filter socks, there isn't much more to add except chemical filtration (whatever floats your boat).

yes

TBH I probably wont quarantine fish yet... as don't have space, We will be purchasing a bigger house this year (Which will be fun moving the tanks :mad but then I can get larger marine set ups. May include a UV sterilizer.

Also apologies for the questions but I'm a bit of a perfectionist and research things 100 times before I start anything :*(

Regardless

I probably am looking to include a refugium with chaeto. I saw someone that has done something similar (Attached their images) and then we have the same set up so I have attached an image of my 'empty' sump.

May include a reactor later down the track near the return pump as we stock extra bits and pieces.

My question is the algae is growing in his tank, does this guy have anything in-between his skimmer and the algae or is it simply allowed to grow on its own. I guess I'm worried if it would interfere with the skimmer? If I can just let it grow on its own then I'm not worried.

With regards to heater would it be better to put in the first compartment with the skimmer and refugium OR with the return pump.

 

[Hermie]

TBH I probably wont quarantine fish yet... as don't have space, We will be purchasing a bigger house this year (Which will be fun moving the tanks :mad but then I can get larger marine set ups. May include a UV sterilizer.

Also apologies for the questions but I'm a bit of a perfectionist and research things 100 times before I start anything :*(

If that's the case then you definitely want to Quarantine your fish and all corals before putting them in the tank. Otherwise you'll be researching for how to fix illness or how to get rid of different pests or algaes etc.

For the Chaeto,
Some people prefer to keep Chaeto before Skimmer so it can "Eat the nutrients" before the skimmer hits the water. There's probably not a huge difference in nutrient export either way TBH. It looks like that person just has them set up in the same first compartment.

For the heater,
I have my heater in the first compartment but there's nothing else in there. I would say put it where the most water will be and easy to get to if you want to clean it. I'd say the return area for your case. There's no huge benefit to either ways, just pros/cons. In the return area, the display tank will be a closer temperature to the heater since the water goes straight into the DT. Plus the first compartment will get heat transfer through the sump's baffles. In the first compartment, if it's too clogged up with equipment the heater will be heating plastic more than it's heating water, I don't know if that's a pro or con, but I imagine heating water is better since it spreads that energy faster than the plastic will (being stationary), but plastic in a sump I am sure is fine for being near a heater, that's how they are designed (skimmers etc). Nothing is designed to be delicate IME.

 

[Rybka]

Ok I'm pretty much ready to go, just getting scaping done now.

What I have is skimmer/media (in between barriers)/heater/ return pump and a refugium (will put in second sump with return pump (room wise). I will use a breeding net to keep it from getting into the return pump.

 

[Rybka]

Hey Guys

One last question.

When I work out my rock requirements do I go by the 1 - 1.5 pounds to gallon calculation and I'm sure I do but do I include the sump into the calculation OR is it simply based on DP

i.e. I'm using a aqua one mini reef 90 (so its 45/45/45(CM) ) not including sump so I would be looking at around 24 pounds of rock? OR do I need a bit more to account for the SUMP?