New to saltwater and need some input

TylerE · Sep 6, 2020

I'm new to the saltwater world and very excited to get started. I've been doing lots of research and there is tons of great info out there. But since I'm new to R2R I thought I would post here. Here's what I have now. I was given by my brother in law a 75 gallon tank with glass top and stand. It comes with 2 heaters aswell. I have since then purchased a used current marine light and also a small hydor wave maker and a small eflux wave maker. I don't have room to put a sump on this tank so I'll be running sumpless. I would like to know what other equipment I need and also some input on my current equipment. I will start out with a FOWLR but would love to get into some beginner corals down the road. Once I get comfortable and gain some experience.
Thanks in advance for your input.

Starkrost · Sep 6, 2020

I’m pretty new myself so I’ll let the experts chime in. Just wanted to say Welcome to R2R!!

Homebrewer · Sep 6, 2020

If the heaters were used at all I would trash them and start over. Equipment-wise they are widely considered to be the piece that most frequently fails. Fortunately, a good heater is an inexpensive upgrade. I personally favor the Jager Ehiem heaters.

The rest of what you are asking represents a constellation of loaded questions. There are literally limitless combinations of equipment one could employ to make up a “system.” I was able to comment on the heaters because you mentioned them and it is straightforward, but I’ll refrain from making any further “you need *this*” comments, and I would caution you against anyone who does. This last bit is because you asked what you “need” - again, that’s really tough to answer.

So I will say this, figure out what your goals really are and then develop a list of options. After that, you can start narrowing your options to make your final decisions. For instance, I commend you for taking it slow and asking questions, but if your goals are to really go FOWLR, beginner corals, full-blown reef, eventually SPS, then this would influence what advice you should be willing to take. Many folks will tel you to buy it right the first time. So if you want to have a reef eventually, you might consider different power heads, or different lights (just examples) - as having to re buy better and better equipment will cost you more in the long run.

homer1475 · Sep 6, 2020

Homebrewer said:
If the heaters were used at all I would trash them and start over. Equipment-wise they are widely considered to be the piece that most frequently fails. Fortunately, a good heater is an inexpensive upgrade. I personally favor the Jager Ehiem heaters.

The rest of what you are asking represents a constellation of loaded questions. There are literally limitless combinations of equipment one could employ to make up a “system.” I was able to comment on the heaters because you mentioned them and it is straightforward, but I’ll refrain from making any further “you need *this*” comments, and I would caution you against anyone who does. This last bit is because you asked what you “need” - again, that’s really tough to answer.

So I will say this, figure out what your goals really are and then develop a list of options. After that, you can start narrowing your options to make your final decisions. For instance, I commend you for taking it slow and asking questions, but if your goals are to really go FOWLR, beginner corals, full-blown reef, eventually SPS, then this would influence what advice you should be willing to take. Many folks will tel you to buy it right the first time. So if you want to have a reef eventually, you might consider different power heads, or different lights (just examples) - as having to re buy better and better equipment will cost you more in the long run.

Very well said, specially the last bit about really deciding on what direction you want to go. As that ultimate direction is how we would suggest different equipment.

TylerE · Sep 6, 2020

Thank you for the reply. That is very good advice and guidance. I have looked into the current USA loop system and think I'll be going that route for lights and wave makers. Also going to go with caribsea fiji pink live sand a mixture of dry and live rock. Since I'm going sumpless what type of filtration would you recommend. I'm leaning towards a canister filter.

Sleeping Giant · Sep 6, 2020

I'm using a Fluval FX4 on my 75, with a AquaMaxx 1.5 hob skimmer, works great for filtering

Sleeping Giant · Sep 6, 2020

Welcome to R2R

ChrisNH · Sep 6, 2020

TylerE said:
I would like to know what other equipment I need

I don't have personal experience with it but Tunze makes some well received HOB skimmers in the "Comline" series.

You may wish to check out the BRS TV 5 minute guide, they set up a 40 without a sump and the same ideas would apply.

The 75 is a great size. I have a 40B and sort of wish I had done all the exact same stuff but in the 75 so I would have a little more fish selection.

One Reefing Boi · Sep 6, 2020

welcome to R2R!

TylerE · Sep 6, 2020

How's the maintenance with the canister? I've heard both good and bad things?

TylerE · Sep 6, 2020

If I have a canister filter would you say that a protein skimmer is a must? Is it something I could add later on as an upgrade?

Sleeping Giant · Sep 6, 2020

TylerE said:
If I have a canister filter would you say that a protein skimmer is a must? Is it something I could add later on as an upgrade?

It's very easy to maintain the canisters, at least the Fluval ones I've had. The fx4 and fx6 are big and can be arranged with many filtering options.
IMO I would get a skimmer, they remove tons of Crap from the aquarium

Sleeping Giant · Sep 6, 2020

You can watch YouTube to see how easy it is to change filters and cleaning the canister.

TylerE · Sep 6, 2020

Would you add some live rock ruble to the canister instead of bio balls?

Sleeping Giant · Sep 6, 2020

Also, with a canister filter I don't need to worry about overflow, just my opinion.
A sump would be great, but not all of us can have one.

vetteguy53081 · Sep 6, 2020

A HOB filter with biological features will work or CPR backpack unit which is a hang on back refugium
Current light good for fish but not best for coral
Send pics of your equipment if possible

welcome to the R2R community !!

Sleeping Giant · Sep 6, 2020

TylerE said:
Would you add some live rock ruble to the canister instead of bio balls?

I used a mix of bioballs and Fluval biomax rings on the bottom 2 rows and the large particle foam that came with the filter on the outsides of each of the 3 levels, added my own granulated carbon to the top and clearmax in the second chamber to remove phosphate, nitrate and nitrite.
The canister is so quiet, I can barely hear it when I sit right beside it, like a foot away.
The one bonus with the FX series is the ability to perform water changes without needing to put a bucket on the aquarium, there is a port on the side of the canister for adding and removing water from the system. But of course, vaccuming is always needed, it won't vaccum for you, lol

Sleeping Giant · Sep 6, 2020

vetteguy53081 said:
A HOB filter with biological features will work or CPR backpack unit which is a hang on back refugium
Current light good for fish but not best for coral
Send pics of your equipment if possible

welcome to the R2R community !!

I used a hob filter before on my 75 gallon, IMO, they are just like AIO systems, and not enough water volume for a good and proper filtration system, at least the fx4 and fx6 both hold 2.5-3 gallons of water at a time, and the turnover rate is good, but can be manually adjusted as needed.

Homebrewer · Sep 6, 2020

TylerE said:
Thank you for the reply. That is very good advice and guidance. I have looked into the current USA loop system and think I'll be going that route for lights and wave makers. Also going to go with caribsea fiji pink live sand a mixture of dry and live rock. Since I'm going sumpless what type of filtration would you recommend. I'm leaning towards a canister filter.

I myself run a canister, never had a sump. In insert here my typical disclaimer that I’ll never doubt the benefits of a sump and will not say that a canister is better. I’ll only say that it is possible to run a reef tank on a canister.

I ran Fluval 400 series for probably a decade??? I had various issues, the main one being that the housing over the impeller failed repeatedly. Also, the coarse filter in the Fluval filters was sort of uniquely shaped and I found myself spending a lot of money on Fluval-specific media. I wanted something with a more solid motor housing and a simpler flow pattern with wide open “generic” chambers. I have been using a Penn-Plax Cascade 1000. Cheaper than the Fluval brand and in my experience, easier to use/clean/etc.

And while I went cheap on the canister, I run a top-line HOB skimmer. I have the Reef Octopus HOB-2000. It. Is. Awesome. I had the older model for 9 years before replacing it with the same model 2 years ago. The first one probably would have lasted even longer if I had maintained it properly. That’s how great that skimmer is. Well worth the money.

Just as I said in the first reply, I’m not going to tell you that you “need” either of these. I’m only sharing my experience. This combo will put you out of pocket about $400 initially, but for me, it serves as my complete filtration solution.

Edit: I should add that I’m not disagreeing with the choice of canister above. The Fluval FX series is a different design as compared to the 400 series.