noob setup

[scottduncan1234]

New to saltwater previously use to breed cichlids I just moved from Virginia to Okinawa Japan and since my tank has been emptied I decided I am going to go saltwater FOWLR/sand and once the tank is established for about 5 months add easy to-keep soft corals and then if I see successful progress I will continue to LPS and anemones. I currently have a Juwel vision 450 liter tank (approx. 120 US gallons), penn plax cascade 1500 gph filter, 5 - 800 gph powerheads, 3 - AQUATOP 200w heaters, 2 - AQUAMANA LED-60x3W Dimmable 180W Blue/White LED, Lee's Protein Skimmer...custom building a top for the tank that houses the lights...I just wanted to list my equipment because I haven't found many people around in the hobby. After all the research I've decided to go with live sand straight from the ocean here and collect sea water. I've been snorkeling and seen reef and tropical fish 5 feet offshore so I believe the sand and water will do good well in reducing the cycling period. My plan is to collect the sand and water this weekend and cycle for one week before adding two small cheap fish. I plan on DIY dry/live rock because I want to customize the structure caves and spire. I am joining a group that have live rock and corals so I will buy some off of them for starter. How does everything sound so far?

 

[tilo]

Look into upgrading the filtration now in the beginning, will save you money and headaches in the long run. (unexplainable algae outbreaks, constant maintenance, etc.)

Take the cycle a little slower. 2 weeks if you can (that's even really short). Test water as the tank goes through the cycle.

That skimmer might need an upgrading too. Good Luck :beer:

 

[scottduncan1234]

thanks for the tips tilo, I am starting to agree with you on the protein skimmer, ...but I don't want to sound crazy here but I just upgraded the filter from a 250 gph to the penn plax 1500 gph w/ 5 - 800 gph power heads gives me roughly 5500 gph turnover, are you sure about the filter needing an additional upgrade? ...from what I've researched the tank is turning over approx. 45 times per hour

 

[Ricks@reef]

I think you will be fine wth your filter setup to start. Look into eventually going wth a skimmer and a sump. The filter will only become a trap for nutrients that will plague your tank with unwanted algae outbreaks. Your sand and live rock will be more than enough to keep your tank running clean without the need for a mechanical filter.

 

[tilo]

Sorry I didn't completely clarify. When I ran canisters and HOB filters they did great, but I was cleaning my filtration very often to prevent any build up and algae out breaks.

When I moved over to a sump, even a small 10 gallon sump on my 55 I felt like the mechanical filtration allowed me more time to enjoy the aquarium rather than cleaning the filter every 3/4 days. Just changed the sock and popped another in.

 

[explorer07]

I personally would not do a canister filter especially if you plan on adding more live stuff down the road. Sump or fuge would be ideal 40+ for 120 gallon everything else sounds good. I have heard and seen success with beach water but I dont know about sand. I think silicates will be a problem and cause algea blooms. Also if you do homemade rock work I would let it leach anything it has out for a month. Better safe than sorry. Hope this helps.

 

[scottduncan1234]

thanks all, i am currently looking at this protein skimmer, its basically a sump protein skimmer in a box, and going to look at doing the fuge inside the display, for the canister i have 4 trays so im going to remove the sponges and turn it into a reactor for carbon, ceramic rings, gfo and carbon again...

http://www.marinedepot.com/AquaMaxx...quariums_Reefs-AquaMaxx-UJ1191-FIPSHO-vi.html

thanks for all the tips