Setting up a 120g saltwater tank

[Sophie031]

I need help. I'm setting up my tank. I have live rocks. I do have my led light but I never have them on. Can my live rocks die with out the lights bein on???????

 

[melypr1985]

Welcome to R2R! Your live rock will be fine without lights while you begin your cycle.

 

[steelheader.262]

Welcome to R2R!!!

 

[abecker]

First, welcome! Second, I believe many people cycle their tanks with the lights off for a couple reasons; it saves energy, and it will keep unwanted algae from growing while cycling and there is no clean up crew in the tank to help eat it.

 

[Sophie031]

Welcome to R2R! Your live rock will be fine without lights while you begin your cycle.

Oh ok. I was kind of worried. Is it OK for the rocks to be a purple color as well?

 

[melypr1985]

Oh ok. I was kind of worried. Is it OK for the rocks to be a purple color as well?

The purple is likely coralline algae and is what most people strive to achieve in their live rock. So... yes, That's a good thing as well.

 

[Sophie031]

This is my 120g tank. Any advice??

 

[melypr1985]

Make sure you clean those canister filters very often since they tend to collect detritus and become nitrate factories. I would also suggest a couple powerheads and more live rock.
What are your plans with it? Fish only? Coral?

 

[Sophie031]

Make sure you clean those canister filters very often since they tend to collect detritus and become nitrate factories. I would also suggest a couple powerheads and more live rock.
What are your plans with it? Fish only? Coral?

I had fishes in them before but they all died so I'm re doin this tank the right way. I think I might need more rocks. I would like to have both corals n fishes.

 

[Sophie031]

I had a couple of fishes

 

[gaz]

I would get rid of the canisters and put in a overflow and sump if possible. Did you know what killed the fish last time? If you haven't already you need to give the filter media a good clean or even better get new just incase you have a parasites living in there that will get passed on to your new inhabitants

 

[Sophie031]

I always tested the waters and always had a someone who new about this stuff test my waters and everything. I was always perfect. The heating was a problem. I only had one heater. So my tank was struggling with warm/cold water. My fishes were always in one spot of da tank. They were next to da heater always so I never knew about it

 

[Sophie031]

I would get rid of the canisters and put in a overflow and sump if possible. Did you know what killed the fish last time? If you haven't already you need to give the filter media a good clean or even better get new just incase you have a parasites living in there that will get passed on to your new inhabitants

What is a overflow and sump?

 

[steve&mari]

Welcome the overflow is how you drain the display tank into the sump. The sump is a second tank used for filtration and equipment. You definitely need more live rock. The rock is a foundation of the reef filter system. Also you'll want higher spots for more light demanding corals.

 

[melypr1985]

I agree with the sump suggestion. It also adds water volume which is always a good thing. You can put all your equipment in the sump to hide it from view. Definitely get a second heater.

 

[melypr1985]

Here is an example of a sump with a refugium in it. This was on my old tank. The water drains from the overflow box (which is in the display) and down into the filter sock on the left hand side. The skimmer (also on the left) filters out the poo, then the water goes through the refugium where the macro algae (the green plants) filter out other nasties the skimmer can't. The refuge is also a place for pods to multiply away from preditors. Then it goes through a filter pad made to absorb phosphates and finally into the return chamber and back into the display. My heater and Automatic Top off is in this sump as well. Hope that helps

 

[Sophie031]

I will definitely look for a overflow n sump. I have a skimmer dat is very difficult as well to clean. Should I replace it as well?

 

[melypr1985]

I will definitely look for a overflow n sump. I have a skimmer dat is very difficult as well to clean. Should I replace it as well?

That's up to you. Do you know how many gallons that skimmer is rated for? If you go with a sump I would just get a skimmer made to sit inside the water in the sump. Make sure it's rated for more gallons than your display holds.

 

[Sophie031]

Where I live is difficult as well lol. I live in the projects on the 15th floor so it's hard to do things. But imma try to look up this things and buy them to make diz a beautiful tank

 

[Sophie031]

That's up to you. Do you know how many gallons that skimmer is rated for? If you go with a sump I would just get a skimmer made to sit inside the water in the sump. Make sure it's rated for more gallons than your display holds.

Well the skimmer holds less than what my tank holds.