New to Salt

jtime · Aug 12, 2016

Hello Everyone,

I'm pretty new to the hobby and brand new to salt water aquariums. I have a 100 gal. tank I'm working on getting set up and am wondering what is the best way to filter, and manage water quality. I have a 29 tall that I was hoping would be enough to serve as a sump, but I am not sure if that would work or how to set it up properly. My end goal is a tank that is as self sufficient and authentic to a reef as possible. I would love any help/feedback I can get. Thanks!

Joe

jsker · Aug 12, 2016

Welcome to,R2R,
What are the dominions of the 29 tall? Sumps are a great way to use for you filteration. In my sump I have filter socks, my protein skimmer (which is a must in a reef tank) and media such a rive rock and marine pure bio media.
Have you looked into the Berlin method of filteration?

jtime · Aug 13, 2016

jsker said:
Welcome to,R2R,
What are the dominions of the 29 tall? Sumps are a great way to use for you filteration. In my sump I have filter socks, my protein skimmer (which is a must in a reef tank) and media such a rive rock and marine pure bio media.
Have you looked into the Berlin method of filteration?

The tank is 30x12x18. I also have a 40gl breeder, but I don't think it will fit under the stand for the 100 gal. I am not familiar with the Berlin method, so I will have to look into that.

jsker · Aug 13, 2016

jtime said:
The tank is 30x12x18. I also have a 40gl breeder, but I don't think it will fit under the stand for the 100 gal. I am not familiar with the Berlin method, so I will have to look into that.

Click on method and the link takes you to Berlin method

Salty1962 · Aug 14, 2016

Welcome to R2R!

Reeferfourlife · Aug 14, 2016

Welcome aboard! Your will need baffles for your 29 gallon.

jtime · Aug 14, 2016

jsker said:
Click on method and the link takes you to Berlin method

That sounds like what I am aiming for in the tank, I would love to have as natural a look as possible. How do you recommend getting live rock? I'm figuring I will need to cycle the tank a couple of times with the rock in it before I add any corals and a few more before adding any fish/invertebrates. Secondly do you do live rock in both the main tank and the sump? Thanks for the insight.

Tahoe61 · Aug 14, 2016

Welcome.

jsker · Aug 14, 2016

jtime said:
That sounds like what I am aiming for in the tank, I would love to have as natural a look as possible. How do you recommend getting live rock? I'm figuring I will need to cycle the tank a couple of times with the rock in it before I add any corals and a few more before adding any fish/invertebrates. Secondly do you do live rock in both the main tank and the sump? Thanks for the insight.

I would check out your local Fish store first. if the LFS does not have the rock you require, I would look and ordering the dry rock on line and cycle it like you are planing. Also when ordering the rock get a small amount of live rock to seed your dry rock. You should need only one cycle of the rock but I would not be in any hurry to add corals for at least 4 months.
First step to cycle the system
Second step add a clean up crew to start the live cycle, wait for the ammonia spike
Third add a fish and if the fish is doing well do what ever you would like in small steps to let the system adjust to the new load/demand and make adjustments. Adjustments take two to three week to see results

BummersReef · Aug 14, 2016

Exactly what jsker said - he is wise

cameronh · Aug 14, 2016

Welcome to REEF2REEF!

jtime · Aug 14, 2016

jsker said:
I would check out your local Fish store first. if the LFS does not have the rock you require, I would look and ordering the dry rock on line and cycle it like you are planing. Also when ordering the rock get a small amount of live rock to seed your dry rock. You should need only one cycle of the rock but I would not be in any hurry to add corals for at least 4 months.
First step to cycle the system
Second step add a clean up crew to start the live cycle, wait for the ammonia spike
Third add a fish and if the fish is doing well do what ever you would like in small steps to let the system adjust to the new load/demand and make adjustments. Adjustments take two to three week to see results

Do you put live rock in the sump as well? I have not used a sump before so I know very little about how to effectively set it up.

4FordFamily · Aug 14, 2016

Welcome home, you will love it here!

Keep us posted on your progress!

My sumps all have a little live rock but not very much. Everyone does different things with the real estate in their sump!

jsker · Aug 14, 2016

jtime said:
Do you put live rock in the sump as well? I have not used a sump before so I know very little about how to effectively set it up.

Using a sump is also new experance for myself. I have used H.O.B. Filters/ref . I just put in some live rock 2 weeks ago after running the sump since April. I also run marine pure bio balls in the sump. So to answer you question yes.