New to the Hobby

denrobare · Jan 18, 2012

I have had fresh water tanks for a long time now, but recently purchased a 125g from a friend. I am planning on building a stand and hood, (via DIY) and am looking for some suggestions on possible setups.

I have done a lot of research online and spoke to a local fish store owner who has been in the business for 30+ years. When I mentioned I was looking for advice on sumps and other equipment, he said that you cant really have a tank that is perfect for fish and coral. The its really one or the other. He is really not big on the whole reef setup obviously, but I want to know if it really is that difficult or not.

He suggested a fish only tank with a canister filter since I dont want any HOB filters or cluter. As I am new to the hobby and am not sure if I will be able to keep up with a reef tank, I thought this to be a good starting point, but the more I read online the more doubts I have about a fish only, simple setup. I really would love a reef setup.

The tank is not drilled, nor do I know if its tempered glass. I am nervous about drilling myself, and I dont really know if I am capable of creating my own sump (DIY) or at least have doubts. Do I need a sump? What are the alternatives? Canister alone ok?

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.'

Dennis

revhtree · Jan 18, 2012

Hi Dennis and welcome to R2R.

Let me first say that you can have a tank that is perfect for fish and coral at the same time. You just have to select the reef safe fish to house with your corals and inverts. So yes you can!

Secondly you do not need a canister filter. If I were you and what most of us do is run a sump with a protein skimmer in the sump. Canister filters for saltwater tanks are pretty much a thing of the past even though it will work it will not work as well as a skimmer.

Do you know who manufactured the aquarium?

firefightered · Jan 18, 2012

I agree with Revhtree..... A sump is the way to go. You do not have to drill your tank (even though I would). There is a thing called a siphon or overflow box you can use to get water to your sump. The problems I read about them are loosing the siphon and flooding the floor if you don't have a float switch for you return pump. You really do need a "good" skimmer. That should be your best investment IMO. A skimmer will save you a lot of head aches and $$$ down the road. It sounds like you need to be carefull with the advise you are getting from your LFS. It seems they do not have much exp. with salt tanks. They are a differant animal than fresh water. You will find this forum to be one of the best on the net (believe me I've looked). Just be carefull of what you read and do the research and you'll have a beautful reef tank. JUST TAKE YOUR TIME an go SLOWWWWW.

denrobare · Jan 19, 2012

The LFS owner basically said that if you do fish and corals, and your fish get sick you cant treat them because it will kill your corals. If you remove them and use a quarantine tank it is already to late at that point, whatever caused the sickness is in the main tank already.

I have been doing a ton of research online and hence the mixed feelings. I have a few good guides to starting a salt water tank. Let me run some of my ideas by you guys and see what you think.

I was looking for a 30g long tank to use as a sump. Get some acrylic panels cut online and shipped to me to put in. I was thinking of 3 chambers, 1st being for live rock/ref., 2nd for skimmer and 3rd for return with a bubble trap between skimmer and return areas. I am not sure about the drilling still, I will try and figure out the manufacturer of the tank, but there are no stickers/labels anywhere. I am willing to use a HOB overflow box. There seems to be some nice ones on the market. Does anyone make the inside the tank walls for overflows online? Buying a pre-made inside overflow would be nice, then I could just silicone in if I deside to drill afterall.

I was wanting to use live sand and live rock. I am looking into the BRS “Reef Saver” Eco Dry Aquarium Live Rock for my display and then prime it with a small piece of live rock from the LFS. In the ref. I would use some rubble live rock and some Green Gracillara in the refugium. I would like to use the ref. for some live food breeding if possible also. 2 smaller heaters (for redundancy) would be in sump.

I think I will do a controller to help keep things timed and some redundancy in my setup. Two 36" T5 assemblies. Not sure on the specific makes/models, but being a 72" tank, I found that two 36" light fixtures are cheaper than 1 72" fixture. An auto top off would be nice also. Two powerheads facing opposite directions on the side walls flowing into the center of tank.

Easy to keep reef corals and fish to start and see how things go before moving to intermediate fish/corals.

fish&corals · Jan 19, 2012

i would have to agree also .. sump is the best way to go .. you dont have to drill it either to add in a sump you would just have to get a over flow box and you would be fine .. theres alot of info about DIY sumps on here . i would also have to agree with picking the right reef safe fish for your reef .. i would pick up a mag 12 pump or maybe a lil bigger for return you want to do at least 6 times turn over for corals
the biggest KEY to having any kind of SW aquarium if its reef or a fish only is go slow , nothing good happens fast in the hobby , its really not that hard to maintain a good system once you have it up and going , just take your time , add your live sand , rock and water n a dead shrimp to help with the cycle of your tank .. if you want to buy something research it 1st before you introduce it into your display , listen to the pros and cons about the fish or coral you want to buy ... best way to do it is start out simple , once your cycle is over which will take about 6 weeks i would buy a mushroom cheap easy coral to have and maybe some zoas another cheap coral that does grow fast , lighting is another plus power compacts or T5 works about the best for 1st timers ,
always ask alot of questions too that helps... but remember take your time only good things happen slow ...

denrobare · Feb 2, 2012

No luck on the manufacturer of the tank.

I am still a bit nervous with the sump and am contemplating fowlr over full reef also.

My biggest concern about the sump is which overflow to would go with. I like the tubless CPR models, but heard some stories about power returning and the overflow not restarting. On the other hand, Eshopps has some nice ones also but again hear stories of problems they have.

Dennis