New Tank Please HELP!

[Friday24]

How much would a sump cost me? also is it difficult to set up?

It can be a little work to get it setup and the flow dialed in. But long term it’ll be easier to maintain. Cost is gonna depend on components you choose to go with. You’ll need an HOB overflow, sump, and return pump. Those are the basic components. You’ll have to do some PVC cutting and gluing to make your plumbing. If money is an issue you could always collect your parts as you can, and/or you can try the used route also.

 

[BigBoss88]

also im confused as to the biowheels i read alot of people remove them or keep them what would you suggest in the mean time?

 

[BigBoss88]

and how is monthly maintenance for the sump

 

[Friday24]

I would keep them in for now, just as long as maybe every couple weeks clean the area out because it will trap detritus.

Sump cleaning schedule depends on how dirty it gets, I usually do a deep cleaning of my sump and equipment every 6-12 months. If you set it up to use sock filters then depending on how heavy you feed you’ll change them probably every 1-2 weeks. The amount you’ll end up cleaning will vary from tank to tank and person to person depending on feeding, amount of fish/coral etc.

 

[BigBoss88]

the biowheels is the only thing i did not touch, should i pull them out and rinse them?

 

[Friday24]

the biowheels is the only thing i did not touch, should i pull them out and rinse them?

As long as there isn’t a lot of detritus sitting in their box leave the alone. You don’t want to rinse them with fresh water as their purpose is to grow nitrifying bacteria. Cleaning them with freshwater could kill off som or all of the bacteria you want to have.

 

[BigBoss88]

How often should i change the filter pads on the penguin? ive read people rinsing and putting them back in not sure why?. when i pulled mine pads out they where brown but once rinsed they where blue like brand new again. i dont mind changing them 1 a month just need to know when you will need to place new ones?. I also see their is 4 slots but i only have 2 pads in in came with

 

[BigBoss88]

where would i see detritus? on the biowheels?

 

[BigBoss88]

they look fine i dont see anything stuck to them or anything

 

[Friday24]

If they’re a washable filters then just wash them as they get dirty. I’ve never used a Penguin so I’m not sure. Detritus would be settled on the bottom of the area the bio wheels set.

 

[Friday24]

The extra slots may be for additional filters or a carbon filter.

 

[BigBoss88]

what snails would you recommend is best to clean sand and tank?

 

[Friday24]

what snails would you recommend is best to clean sand and tank?

Nerite or Mexican Turbos. Nerite would work better only because they stay smaller. If all you can get are Turbos it’s not a big deal, you just might have to give them away when they get too big.

 

[BigBoss88]

what do you feed the snails? how many should i get?

 

[nstuber3956]

Sounds like your getting the hang of this. I know it was stressful in the beginning but the reward will be worth it. Just like people Said before me the penguin filter is not going to be good long term. So with that being said you have some things to think about. What's the ultimate goal for your tank. Are you going to want coral or is it going to be fish only(fowlr)? You don't have to decide this right now. This will better help us with equipment and setup recommendations. I would recommend going with a sump as it will be the best for any future endeavors. I will also recommend getting a good protein skimmer. I wish you good luck and just remember the keys to this hobby is stability and patience.

 

[BigBoss88]

what do you feed the snails? how many should i get?

Sounds like your getting the hang of this. I know it was stressful in the beginning but the reward will be worth it. Just like people Said before me the penguin filter is not going to be good long term. So with that being said you have some things to think about. What's the ultimate goal for your tank. Are you going to want coral or is it going to be fish only(fowlr)? You don't have to decide this right now. This will better help us with equipment and setup recommendations. I would recommend going with a sump as it will be the best for any future endeavors. I will also recommend getting a good protein skimmer. I wish you good luck and just remember the keys to this hobby is stability and patience.

I plan to do fish only aquarium

 

[BigBoss88]

I had another question our tank gets alot of salt crust how can i avoid this?

 

[nstuber3956]

Snails will eat the alage in your tank. I do not know how big your tank is but I would go with about 1 for every 10 gallons. I like throcus snails. They stay smaller and can right themselves if they fall on their shells better than other snails.
Since you are going fish only you can get away with just a sump,overflow and a skimmer and be fine. You will want the biggest sump that will fit inside your stand. This will add extra water volume and in turn help keep the water parameters more stable.

 

[BigBoss88]

I called my local store but they dont have nerite snails, i believe he said he had turbo,butterscotch and a few others

 

[Friday24]

I called my local store but they dont have nerite snails, i believe he said he had turbo,butterscotch and a few others

Turbos will be fine, I’d probably start out with 6. You shouldn’t have to feed them, they’ll eat the algae and diatoms in your tank. If you really wanted to supplement nori (algae strips).