Overall setup ?'s

[aprosody]

Hello all!

I am new to this hobby and want to do everything as close to right as possible. I've used the search feature (I've been lurking here for about 2 months) and when people ask questions, everyone wants to know the specifics of their set up, so here goes:

Tank - 72G Bowfront, pre-drilled with 1 overflow box

Wet/Dry Filter - Sealife Systems Pro Series 150, which has a built in skimmer

Return - Hydor Seltz L45 rated at 900gph (will have about 48" of vertical return travel)

Questions are as follows:

1) Plumbing - is it better to use flex hose, or hard PVC the way to go? Specific bulk heads anyone reccomends?

2) Is the Hydor a good enough pump? What's a decent affordable replacement?

3) Skimmer pump - the used sump I have didn't come with the pump in the picture, what do I need? I know I need lots of bubbles!

 

[Fish_wiz2]

1. IMO (in my opinion) use hard PVC for the drain (going to sump) and flex for return (going back up).
2. Hydor is good but the pump wasn't a great seller so not much word on it, i recommend a quiet one because they are quiet, energy efficient , and worth the money (that's why i use it )
3. I used to have a sump like that and mine used a RIO 600 RVT (venturi) but from the picture it seems you need a big pump CAP or larger RIOs, check with the manufactures website for more info

 

[squealy]

I hate to be the first (of many, I'm sure) to tell you what reefers think of bioballs. You may want to modify the setup before you start to accommodate live rock. I've just converted my 90 gal bowfront from bio balls to LR and it had made a huge difference in nitrates. Let's see what the others say. Good luck no matter what method you choose!

 

[aprosody]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12858364#post12858364 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by squealy
I hate to be the first (of many, I'm sure) to tell you what reefers think of bioballs. You may want to modify the setup before you start to accommodate live rock. I've just converted my 90 gal bowfront from bio balls to LR and it had made a huge difference in nitrates. Let's see what the others say. Good luck no matter what method you choose!

So, would it be ok to place LR rubble under the bioballs, keeping the rubble submerged? Or would that be an extra step of filtration that would hinder my flow?

 

[squealy]

That would be better than no LR, but the thought is that you'd like the aerobic and anaerobic bacterial processes to take place on and in the LR. If you have bioballs above the LR, presumably the aerobic changes would occur there and not on the LR. That would then make it harder for the anaerobic processes to take place inside the LR. And you certainly wouldn't want to place the LR rubble on the dry part of the filter. Anyone else care to chime in?

 

[SALT WATER CRAZ]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12859024#post12859024 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aprosody
So, would it be ok to place LR rubble under the bioballs, keeping the rubble submerged? Or would that be an extra step of filtration that would hinder my flow?

Yes you would want to keep the rubble submerged. Most people will take the bio balls right out, and just use live rock. The sponge will also be a nitrate sponge if you dont keep it clean.

 

[aprosody]

Ok, I will definitely opt for LR in my sump instead of the Bioballs. Thank you for your help on this issue.

Another question when it comes to substrates.

Since I'm in one of the areas of the country where I can walk to the ocean, would it be advisable to get sand from one of the local, unpopulated private beaches as a sand base? I know a lot of people don't have this option, I just wasn't sure if it was a good idea or not. I think it's because I see so much sand everyday, I can't fathom spending $100 on the stuff!

 

[aprosody]

Also, the same ? goes for Live Rock - Is it advisable to dive in an unpopulated part of the beach to grab some rock from the ocean floor?

 

[aprosody]

Bump... Any input on these questions? If I were to get live sand & rock in their natural enviornment it would potentially save me hundreds of dollars...and it seems like it would work but you all would definitely know better than I.

 

[Shooter7]

It is illegal to harvest live rock in the state waters of Florida.

With regards to the sand, I think the main concern is with contamination. You don't know what the particular sand you're harvesting has been exposed to. There may be other reasons I'm not thinking of quickly here this morning, but that's what came to mind right now. I recommend using a nice, clean aragonite sandbed if you're going to use one.