Hello, new to SW

polish

polish

New member
Just wanted to say hello to all the fellow Fort Wayne Aquarists.

I am going to be setting up my 45g Hex tank very soon as a SW tank. I have kept FW tanks for about 15 years but literally know nothing about SW setups, not that I am a FW expert but I know enough to make them work fine.

I have about a billion questions but I won't pile them all in this thread. I'll just keep searching around.

Before anything can start I need to build a new stand for it as the end table with a piece of 3/4" MDF on top isn't exactly the most visually appealing nor is it the safest.

I am going to need to pickup a new Sw safe heater, HOB skimmer (I am LOST on this one, so many varying opinions), BIG Powerhead (I think the Koralia 3 or 4), and I guess something to filter the tap water.

Along with of course Salt, Rock, Sand, and so on.

I already have a decent light (65w 10k/Actinic w LED moon light), I know it's small but the top footprint of the Hex makes it hard to fit anything larger. I may get one of those 70w clamp on Mini-Halide bulbs to supplement it.

I think thats all for now. :)
 
At first just some live sand/rock and once cycled, 1 or 2 small fish. As I learn more I will delve into more elaborate setups which will likely include some inverts/coral/anemone etc... That is however a long ways a way.
 
I am also somewhat new to SW, but had kept FW for several years. I decided to jump in headfirst into reef keeping. I am in the process of setting up my 90 gallon now. I have learned a LOT so far. If you have any specific questions I can try to answer them. Reefcentral has been an awesome source of information for me so far.
 
Skimmer thread

I just posted this Skimmer thread, I am trying to pick one and it's mind numbing all the different opinions. I found this rather pricey one at Foster/Smith that I can not find any reviews on, not sure if thats a good or bad sign.

I was going to get the Coralife SS but there are a lot of bad reviews.

Could you explain a Refugium by chance? I see them mentioned as part of a sump but I have no idea what they are. I tried to google it but got no where.

I figured out the sump is more or less just a place to put a skimmer, heater, etc.
 
Thanks for the link, that helped out. =)

I am about to lose my mind picking a skimmer though, needing a HOB really limits my options. Then the good ones are all sold out everywhere so whats left is either a REAL expensive one or one that some people don't like... Ugh

I guess for now I will work on a stand and forget the skimmer. Maybe I'll head to some of the LFS and see if they have any good deals by chance.
 
The octopus HOB style was sold out at a few places I saw.

I think I am just going to go with the basic bak-pak for now. In case the tank doesn't work out or something I don't want to be out $400 on a fancy one. Plus it is just going to be a super basic setup for now as well, not to mention Foster/Smith has it in stock. :)
 
Yes, but I only clicked on two and both said back ordered. It does look like they have a couple in stock now that I click the other models though. Decisions Decisions...
 
fwiw.....a few hints on an hob skimmer. I have have a cprbak pak and I have also had an Aqua Remora Pro and an Aqua Remora ....hands down I wouldn't go with anything else other than the remora pro. You can pick this skimmer up on ebay for about $200. Considering that a bakpak will run almost $100 the extra is more than worthwhile. The remora is by far one of the best hob skimmers out there and is easy to use right out of the box......There is also an insump version, which ....I just happen to have a used one.....the bakpak isn't that bad but needs to be modified to be really effective, this can be done by running an air line down into the body with an limewood airstone to beef up the foam production. Hope this helps!

I understand your dilemma with the lights. With the depth of a hex you may need to upgrade to metal halides if you are wanting to expand sometime into corals....
 
Hello and welcome.

Running a salt tank, IMO, is just as easy if not easier than a fresh water tank. You need to check out the seminar by Anthony Calfo on reefvideos.com or you can get it from itunes as well. You do not need to run a skimmer if you are good about doing water changes. If you are running a fish only tank to start, I would not bother with one yet. I do have to agree with Lorna, the remora is a good little skimmer from what I have heard. I used to us the Tunze nano skimmer in my 29. It was rated up to a 55g i believe as long as it was not stocked real heavy with SPS. Some of the coral you can get will help filter your tank as well. Just remember that skimmers are very pricey, and just because one is more does not mean it is better.

If you have room for a sump, in sump is the way to go. I was always afraid with the HOB ones, that if they leaked, I would have a huge mess before I knew what was going on. My old system though did not let me have a sump or a HOB. this is why i went with the Tunze because I could stick in teh display. It blended in with what I had so it was not real bad, but it took up a fair amount of room.
 
Darn, I just placed my Foster/Smith order last night.

I should have it setup soon, I'll add some photos. I picked up all the parts to build my stand last night.
 
Well the stand turned out awful and was way bigger than I thought and I am unsure about using a 33 year old tank for a SW anyway. So I grabbed a 20 gallon on my way home from work. My 24" light will fit and supply it with light better than it did the 45hex anyway. Plus now I can maybe do coral eventually too. :)
 
Here are some pics . I also started the cycle today, so it will sit like this for a while. I will add some photos once I get critters.

MVC-009F_001.JPG


MVC-007F.JPG


MVC-008F.JPG
 
Let it sit.... Why? Pick up a cheap fish or two, or at the very least a peice of uncooked shrimp and throw in to start the cycle.

Looks nice though. Keep the pics coming
 
I did put an uncooked shrimp in, thats why I said I started the cycle above. I also put some food in. ;)

I added another 2.5lb live rock from "The Pet Store" today and moved a couple around.

MVC-017F_002.JPG
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
Where to buy an used 100G tank
Replies
1
Views
85
griss
griss
T
hello!
Replies
10
Views
343
Tyem
T
D
Seahorse feeding station
Replies
9
Views
100
DSDoyle
D
Itajara
SW FOWLR 150 gallon stocking plans
Replies
6
Views
556
Reefing102
Reefing102
T
Sump mod for roller mat filter ? How to ?
Replies
7
Views
225
griss
griss
Back
Top