70G finally up and running

[Export Eh]

This is my first venture into Saltwater Aquariums. I'm using a 70G drilled tank with a sump! It's now been up and running since Thursday night so I still have a long way to go before any additions.

Here's some pics (sorry for the cloudiness of the tank. They are from Thurs night)

and the sump

For equipment I'm using:
-Tunze 6055 with controller
-SWC Cone 160
-Ehiem 1262 return pump
- Via Aqua Titanium 200W x2
- Coralife 48' 2x 150W MH, 2x 96 Actinics, 4 LED

I feel like I'm missing something but I'm not sure what right now lol

I have a few questions if anyone could help me

1) Tonight I was messing around with the inflow into the sump. I'm using a single 1.5 inch overflow. I was trying to set it with the least amount of inflow noise without cause the return to pull in air. I have it dialed in now but it's a very fine line. Now the Ehiem 1262 is rated 900gph if I remember correctly with a 1/2 inch hose out. Now a local reefer that helped me pick out what I need said to up it to a 3/4 inch out.

My question is, with the 3/4 instead of 1/2 inch tubing, will it up the gph output as well. I want to slow down the return flow but don't know if I changed it to a 1/2 tube would it lower return flow and back up a little more water in sump so I won't suck air as easily or just make it come out with more pressure?

2) What are the must haves for fish medication? I don't have a LFS that does saltwater so I have to order all my supplies online. Is there a couple medications that are a "must have" that I should pick up ahead of time?

 

[funkejj]

go to 3/4 and add a ball valve in place. I don't really have medications on hand. I have a petco down the road if I needed something that bad but I dont stock meds.

 

[Export Eh]

go to 3/4 and add a ball valve in place. I don't really have medications on hand. I have a petco down the road if I needed something that bad but I dont stock meds.

I was thinking of adding a valve as well. I'll head to home depot tommorrow and see if they have any! I wish I had something down the road, it's about 2 1/2 hours to any stores that have a good SW selection :sad1:

Another question, I've read to jump start the cycle, ghost feed the tank. All I have on hand is flakes from my freshwater days. Would that be safe to use? I know the lfs has bloodworm, brine shrimp. Would one of those be better to use?

 

[RNX CTD]

Flake is would be fine. Some reefers say use some raw table shrimp, but I had cloudy water for 26 days but it did cycle the tank.

 

[Ron Reefman]

1) add a filter sock to the drain line into the sump and the cloudiness will clear faster.
2) 1/2" or 3/4" really doesn't make much difference because you are pumping the water. If it was the drain side, which is gravity fed, that would make a 50% difference in flow. It has much less effect on flow with a pump. But if I were you, I'd go the 3/4" and add the ball valve.
3) I've been in the hobby for 7 years now and I've never had to do meds for any of my fish. And they do expire, just like human meds.
4) Adding some flake food is perfect for helping the cycle, I hate adding a raw shrimp.
5) You have good equipment, and good looking set up and a nice rockscape. Good job by you. Now just take your time. The cycle may take 7-30 days. Then diatoms and algae will bloom and you can get some snails (don't over do it, 10 snails 1" in dia. or more if they are smaller)
6) As the algae blooms happen and die down you can add fish slowly.
7) At 6-9 mths your tank will be about at the mature level and you can keep most anything.
8) The 2 most important things are to take your time and have fun. It's a great learning experience.

 

[johnike]

A quarantine tank is the best medicine you can have on hand.
(I really should have one)

 

[Export Eh]

New pic from this morning.

Tank has cleared up quite nicely now! I will get a sock filter next time I make an order. I just placed one yesterday for a 75GPD RO/DI unit, Tunze Oscimilator (sp?)ATO and a magnetic glass cleaner

 

[Export Eh]

3) I've been in the hobby for 7 years now and I've never had to do meds for any of my fish. And they do expire, just like human meds.

I never thought about that. I was too worried about not being caught with my pants down so to speak lol. Good point
.

5) You have good equipment, and good looking set up and a nice rockscape. Good job by you. Now just take your time. The cycle may take 7-30 days. Then diatoms and algae will bloom and you can get some snails (don't over do it, 10 snails 1" in dia. or more if they are smaller)

Thank you! I tried to go with good mid range equipment. I know from other hobbies that cheaping out can end up costing more in the long run so I tried to get some quality stuff without going to the poor house lol

8) The 2 most important things are to take your time and have fun. It's a great learning experience.

I am trying my best! lol I realize it'll be a good 2 months if not more before I can add anything to my tank. All my rock is dry rock so it'll take that much longer. But people who see it right now with no fish say it looks amazing, never got that with an empty freshwater setup lol

 

[Export Eh]

A quarantine tank is the best medicine you can have on hand.
(I really should have one)

I do have a tank I'm going to use as a QT but don't have it set up yes. Just a little 10G tank my buddy wasn't using but it should do the trick

 

[jonathansruelas]

Good start so far and a sump is the best way to go for saltwater. Just make sure the cycle Is completed and then you can add some cleanup crew.. Remember to quarantine fish before you add them to main display. If you have one in place already you can get a fish while the cycling Is finishing an add him when everything is good to go

 

[Export Eh]

Good start so far and a sump is the best way to go for saltwater. Just make sure the cycle Is completed and then you can add some cleanup crew.. Remember to quarantine fish before you add them to main display. If you have one in place already you can get a fish while the cycling Is finishing an add him when everything is good to go

I was thinking about doing that but it's all dry rock/sand so I've read it can take up to 12 weeks to cycle so I was going to hold off for a bit.