New 120 gal tank with questions

[dyvaeh]

We have a 20 gallon tank with 25 pounds of live rock and a couple of fish. We have moved to a new home and my husband decided it's time to upgrade! We found a great deal in Phoenix last week and we came home with a Perfecto 120 gallon glass tank. Before we bought this tank we had been researching all of the equipment needed, but we've been finding conflicting information. I just have a couple of questions and hopefully I can get some advice from you!

First, if we have about 200 pounds of live rock will we need a canister filter or should we just invest in a good protein skimmer? Any recommendations?

Next, is it better to have 2 smaller powerheads or one large one? Again, any recommendations?

Finally, does anyone know of a good on-line store to buy supplies? We have always used liveaquaria.com (Foster and Smith), but are there some less expensive sites?

Thanks!

mandy

 

[Satori]

You will surely get tons of information, but I'll take a shot.

With the live rock, you won't need or want a canister filter. They're handy to have around to "polish" the water from time to time IF needed. However, a bag of carbon in the sump will do wonders. If you use a canister filter, clean it well and often. Crud builds up and can turn into a nitrate factory.

The amount of flow really depends on what you're keeping in there. For a fish only with live rock (FOWLR) you won't need as much flow, but enough to keep current going through the rocks and to turn the water for gas exchange. For soft corals, usually medium flow. SPS corals, usually high flow. Regardless, with a 120, you'll probably need several med-large powerheads.

When I order online, I mostly use marinedepot.com.

 

[fishaholic911]

I agree with MSM on all three answers. Investest in a good protein skimmer! Will you be running a sump?

 

[Satori]

Oh yeah! I forgot about the protein skimmer... Like fishaholic said, a good skimmer is money well spent, and a neccessity.

 

[dyvaeh]

We hadn't planned on getting a skimmer (and sump) until the tank was more established. Now knowing that we don't have to have the filter, we can invest in the skimmer and sump in the next few weeks. However, my husband is a little nervous about NOT having a filter. He is thinking that if we have the canister filter we can put the carbon and biomedia in one container. Also, the filter can help move the water. I need to show him more information about the lack of need for a filter.

 

[kscrimshaw]

The filterless tank was weird for me, too, when I converted from fresh to saltwater. I try to think of the live rock, skimmer, and sump combo as my filter. (Think of several different approaches being more efficient than just one.)

I would also recommend trying to get your sump set up right away, especially if you are planning on drilling the tank and using an overflow. For me it was money well spent to buy a reef-ready tank up front. Even if you don't get your skimmer right away, it will be much easier to add later if you already have the sump set up.

Also make sure you have room for everything you may need in your sump, even if it's not going to be for a while. I really wish I had left room for a fuge in mine!

 

[fishaholic911]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7723312#post7723312 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dyvaeh
We hadn't planned on getting a skimmer (and sump) until the tank was more established. Now knowing that we don't have to have the filter, we can invest in the skimmer and sump in the next few weeks. However, my husband is a little nervous about NOT having a filter. He is thinking that if we have the canister filter we can put the carbon and biomedia in one container. Also, the filter can help move the water. I need to show him more information about the lack of need for a filter.

Live rock is your best friend ( no need for a canister) If you do away with the idea of a canister and go with a sump your return will give you a lot of flow. No need to wait until the tank is established to add a sump and skimmer. Trust me you will not regret it !!!

 

[dyvaeh]

Thanks for all the info! I've convinced him to give up the filter and go with the sump only...Now we are researching sumps. Since we have the glass aquarium, we will have to have the HOT overflow and use the siphon method. This weekend we will figure out how big of a sump we can have and go from there. The only finding (or making) an overflow that can fit between the tank and the wall. We don't have a lot of clearance there. Any suggestions?

 

[Saltwaterâ„¢.Az]

You'll need about 4 to 4.5" for an overflow box for that size tank. I had to cut my drywall for my overflow. Was off by .25" ARGH!!!!

 

[Satori]

You could temporarily drain the tank (low tide simulation ) and gently inch it out away from the wall.

 

[cerreta]

Agreed with above. Loose the canister. If you want a way to filter the sediment fom the water, just drain the water from the overflow into a filter sock, which is kept in the sump.

What are the dimensions of your tank? Is is a 6ft long tank? If so I may have a sump for you.

I have an acrylic sump that I bought at our last group gathering. Since I do not have a use for it yet, I would be happy to sell it to you for the price I paid. It was very expensive . . . are you ready, $10. It does have a broken end piece, but should be a fairly easy fix.

For skimmers, try looking at the ASM skimmers. They are awesome and cost less than the Euroreef. I have used several kinds and always upgraded. I am now using the Euroreef. It will cost less in the long run if you do it right the first time. That is the nice thing about frequently the RC forums!

For drygoods purchases I like Premium Aquatics and Marinedepot. MD is in Ca so shipping is usually next day from UPS, very cool!

What about lighting?

 

[phenom5]

well, i agree with everything that has already been posted.

no canister filter, stick with LR & a good skimmer. ASM is a very good suggestion on the skimmer, they're basically the same as the euro-reef skimmers but are a little cheaper.

as for powerheads, i would go with a few good sized powerheads. like MSM said, what you want to keep in your tank determines how much flow you need. i would look into a couple of seio's maybe. seio's are a cheaper version of tunze streams...which are completely different then any powerhead out there. if you have the cash, i'd get a couple of tunze's & a controller...if not go i'd go with a couple of seio's, and i think they just released a controller for them as well.

as for HOB overflows, i'd go with either Amircle or LifeReef overflows. they both have a very good reputation. stay away from CPR overflows...the have a reputation too...a reputation for loosing siphon and flooding peoples houses. my father-in-law has an Amiricle overflow on his tank that's been running trouble free for a good 8 or 9 years, and the LifeReef overflows are highly reccomended by the members of RC, although i have no first hand experience with them so take that FWIW.

for online vendors, i go through MarineDepot almost exclusively. if they don't have something i need, PremiumAquatics or Dr Fosters are my second and third choices. MarineDepot has fair prices, great customer service, and like Scott mentioned, you pay for regular ground shipping and get the stuff within a day or two b/c they are located in L.A.

HTH

 

[Satori]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7742141#post7742141 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by phenom5
stay away from CPR overflows...the have a reputation too...a reputation for loosing siphon and flooding peoples houses.

I do have experience with that... This happened twice on my old 55 with a CPR. Once it flooded the power strips and the house circuit breakers didn't trip. The power strips just sizzled and melted down.

 

[dyvaeh]

Thanks for the offer of the sump, but our tank is only 5 ft long.

Our tank is brand new and still dry and will probably remain that way for another 6 weeks or so due to A/C repairs for the car! Anyway, we will have no problem moving ir away from the wall! We've been looking at the Lifereef slim-line overflows (only 3" clearance needed).

I've had a lot of recommendations for the ASM skimmers, so that is on our Wish List, too.

With our small tank we don't experience too much evaporation. What should I expect with 120gal tank and say a 20gal sump?

Lighting? Well, the tank came with a single 60" fluorescent bulb and we will upgrade that later. We haven't gotten far enough along to extensively research lights. We'd like to eventually have some anemones and maybe some corals and I know they need the special lighting. It really depends on the cash flow! With a new house and 2 kids under the age of 2, this larger tank will take quite a while to set up!

 

[phenom5]

Our tank is brand new and still dry and will probably remain that way for another 6 weeks

in that case i would just drill the tank. glass shops usually will do it for ~15-20 bucks a hole...and you can get a piece of glass (cut w/ teeth for overflow) for pretty cheap from them as well. then you just need some aquarium silicon, and bulkheads. so you could probably get it all done for ~60 bucks, which is cheaper then a lifereef overflow, and is a better setup. i've never heard of someone that was unhappy that they drilled their tank, but i've heard from plenty of people that wished they drilled their tank after it's setup w/ HOB overflow. just something to think about.

evaporation really depends, but you can get a floatswitch for cheap & build an auto top-off for very little money.

as far as lights...well, that can be where reef tanks can go from being expensive to really, really freakin expensive. the only advise i can give is to research what kind of lights you need for the corals you'd like to keep, and keep an eye on the equipment selling forum, the club forums, and ebay. you might come across a good deal on a used setup.