1st saltwater tank.

[fenrizwolf]

Haha! Even they don't want one.



Oh course. If you can. But you can start a tank without going crazy. I always thought of it as the sooner you can get water in your tank the better, and the longer it runs, even if empty, the better.

My plan is to get saltwater and a filter going very soon. Then add sand then rock and skimmer.

 

[Taahirs]

1st saltwater tank.

Just remember your cycle only starts once you've added rocks and sand.

 

[MiataRacer]

fenrizwolf, I felt the same way about not trusting an HOB overflow. I did the same thing you did; I have an HOB skimmer. Mine is a CPR Bak-Pak 2R. I got it on ebay brand new for less than $90. You can find them from a seller called amekaaquatics; they're units that had damage to the skimmer bodies and were factory-repaired. Mine works fine; however, I will warn you that you need to adjust the valve on the front of the Rio powerhead that's included in order to actually have the skimmer produce skimmate. I learned this the hard way, as mine didn't produce any skimmate for the first few weeks and my nitrates built up. You'll also want to look into getting the Pre-skimmer for the Bak-Pak, as it reduces the protein slick on the surface of the tank. For sand, I used the CaribSea Arag-alive live sand, and I have no complaints about it.

EDIT: Just noticed you already chose a skimmer. Yes, you do need the saltwater test kits; if you have any API kits for freshwater tanks, most of those work for saltwater too. You can get the full set of saltwater test kits for $25 - $30 and they work fine for me.

 

[fenrizwolf]

fenrizwolf, I felt the same way about not trusting an HOB overflow. I did the same thing you did; I have an HOB skimmer. Mine is a CPR Bak-Pak 2R. I got it on ebay brand new for less than $90. You can find them from a seller called amekaaquatics; they're units that had damage to the skimmer bodies and were factory-repaired. Mine works fine; however, I will warn you that you need to adjust the valve on the front of the Rio powerhead that's included in order to actually have the skimmer produce skimmate. I learned this the hard way, as mine didn't produce any skimmate for the first few weeks and my nitrates built up. You'll also want to look into getting the Pre-skimmer for the Bak-Pak, as it reduces the protein slick on the surface of the tank. For sand, I used the CaribSea Arag-alive live sand, and I have no complaints about it.

EDIT: Just noticed you already chose a skimmer. Yes, you do need the saltwater test kits; if you have any API kits for freshwater tanks, most of those work for saltwater too. You can get the full set of saltwater test kits for $25 - $30 and they work fine for me.

Those skimmers are only rated to 60 gallons.

 

[fenrizwolf]

Just remember your cycle only starts once you've added rocks and sand.

Gotcha!

 

[fenrizwolf]

Ok equipment list update.
Arriving tomorrow is my live sand. Might go get the live rock depending on how early it comes.

I've had saltwater running with a canister filter and fluval heater for 2 weeks. I have the reef octopus classic 90 on the tank but not running. I have a refractometer. I just ordered a Current USA orbit marine led light, and a jecod cp40 crossflow pump. Getting closer to fish, but still so far.

 

[fenrizwolf]

The guy at the lfs told me to not even waste my money on the live rock. He said just cycle with the dead shrimp method with all my lace rock in. Very refreshing to have someone try to save you money. I have the sand in the tank and 2 powerheads with filter floss clearing turbidity.

 

[Harbara]

I would go without mechanical filtration before I would use a canister filter on a saltwater system. When you use any type of mechanical filtration on a saltwater tank the filter media needs to be cleaned every 3 or 4 days or it will lead to higher nitrates. Canister filters are so time consuming to change media with that I would just use live rock and water changes rather than hasle the canister.

 

[fenrizwolf]

Yes Harbara thanks. That was mentioned earlier, and I talked about it with the lfs guy. With out running a sump, I will go to a hob filter if I find I need mechanical filtration. For now while I get this tank started and cycled I will be using the canister.

 

[finewayne]

I think any type of mechanical filtration can go with those condition

 

[fenrizwolf]

Quick update with parameters.

Live sand, lace rock, and a fat raw shrimp went into the tank on Monday.

Salinity 1.024

pH 7.8-8.0
Ammonia 0.5-1.0 ppm
Nitrite 0-0.25 ppm
Nitrate 10-20 ppm

 

[QuiQuog]

I would go without mechanical filtration before I would use a canister filter on a saltwater system. When you use any type of mechanical filtration on a saltwater tank the filter media needs to be cleaned every 3 or 4 days or it will lead to higher nitrates. Canister filters are so time consuming to change media with that I would just use live rock and water changes rather than hassle the canister.

So saltwater doesn't need mechanical filtration? If I convert my 75g to fish only saltwater and don't add a sump, besides replacing the substrate and adding live rock, I only really need to add a protein skimmer and power heads? It seems too simple.

 

[DePinchGonze]

Correct, saltwater does not need mechanical filtration, assuming you have good biological filtration with your live rock. Power heads is a must and a skimmer is highly recommended unless you want to be doing water changes weekly.

 

[DePinchGonze]

I like your rock scape, do you have pictures of the rest of your system?

 

[fenrizwolf]

I like your rock scape, do you have pictures of the rest of your system?

Thanks! I don't have a sump. There is a reef octopus classic 90 hob not seen, a Rena xp4 I will phase out once tank is established, and a jecod cp 40 not on the tank yet. Current usa marine led is in the mail.