Possibly Switching Over To SW

[SFish]

I know there are cubes that have everything built into the back of the tank but I don't really know much about them. I'm sure there are a lot of people that could tell you about those. There are also tanks that have built in overflows but they will cost you more money.

 

[SFish]

WHat you're looking at in that sump build: 1) the skimmer ---removes amino acids: 2) a GFO reactor (removes phosphate). It will also contain the ATO (autotopoff float switch) and that will need an ATO reservoir to supply fresh water to keep the salinity steady. And the heater and return pump (about a Mag 9.5 (950 gph)) ---there's more gear, but once you have it going, it takes care of itself pretty well: refill the ATO reservoir, run weekly water tests, and feed the fish, which also feeds the corals. Stability is key to success, that and setting your salinity, alkalinity, etc properly in the first place, which you do with a good salt mix and a little hand-dosing and testing. Once you have it right, there are ways to hold it there for weeks on end, especially with stony corals.

Getting a reef-ready tank saves a lot of hassle: spendier, but easier. Skimmer, lights, and pump are the pricey items.

OTOH, I have a thread floating around here about managing a very basic marine tank with a couple of inexpensive Penguin filters---you'd need the ATO.

Thank you as always very helpful. It's hard to think about everything you need.

 

[SFish]

The thing to think about with a stand is how open is it inside. You don't want any shelves in it. How easy is it to get to things and pull stuff out if need be.

 

[jar05g]

Yeah...the cabinet I have now is very small on the inside and then there's a shelf under the cabinet for decorations. It was a tank and stand combo that I purchased new from PetSmart. It's currently freshwater now, but I've been thinking of switching over to SW and needed to get an idea of what I need.

If I need to do all that...I may just hold off. I was hoping I could get away with the filters that I have now and just get LR and some lights and then go from there.

If I were to run the setup I have now, just with SW instead of fresh...what complications could come from it? Though it may not be the preferred setup, could it work?

Thank you all for your help thus far...it is greatly appreciated!

 

[Capt.Nemo]

I have a friend who has 55 gal with hob & skimmer. I am running a 75 without sump. I have reef octopus hob skimmer and canister filter, both rated for 100 gal. Folks will tell you a canister is a nitrate trap. It's not for me because I clean it every couple weeks. Definitely did mine on super budget. 48" 4 bulb T5's, EBay $85. HOB skimmer $180 Amazon (my biggest cost). Power heads were $15 a pair Amazon. Amazon has a bunch of stuff and if your a Prime member, 2 day shipping options are free.
It's very doable if you do some leg work, and that's free.
I have done as others have suggested. $1 gallon sale and Pals reward, got a 20 gallon long for $11. It is my QT tank right now, but I am thinking overflow box and DIY sump for future option.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

 

[ps2cho]

It sounds to me like you need to do a ton more research...and a bigger budget. If you wanted just a couple easy fish, then sure go for it...but Corals? Time to open the wallet, or you'll just spend 1/2 the money and waste 100% of it.

 

[SFish]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1031074

 

[SFish]

Yeah...the cabinet I have now is very small on the inside and then there's a shelf under the cabinet for decorations. It was a tank and stand combo that I purchased new from PetSmart. It's currently freshwater now, but I've been thinking of switching over to SW and needed to get an idea of what I need.

If I need to do all that...I may just hold off. I was hoping I could get away with the filters that I have now and just get LR and some lights and then go from there.

If I were to run the setup I have now, just with SW instead of fresh...what complications could come from it? Though it may not be the preferred setup, could it work?

Thank you all for your help thus far...it is greatly appreciated!

You could buy hang on the back stuff but it's ugly to have all that stuff hanging on the tank. Complications would be dead coral and wasted money. Saltwater is not as simple as you think. If your going to spend the money might as well give yourself the best chance for success otherwise why bother.

 

[jar05g]

I am going to look around and see if I can find any larger stands that would hold more equipment underneath. Heck...I may even decide to upgrade to a larger tank...I've always liked the look of a 72 bowfront...

FWIW - this is the exact tank and stand that I have now...as you can see...there's not much that I could fit inside the cabinet...

http://www.petsmart.com/fish/aquari..._id=36-17295&_t=pfm=category&pfmvalue=faceted

 

[mandarin_goby]

I'm running a 20 long ($20 at Petco's dollar per gallon sale) under my 57 rimless ($100 on craigslist) as a sump and I don't have baffles (compartments)...I kept it relatively simple, just a hang-on-back skimmer, a pump and a Lifereef overflow (drilling wasn't an option for me). I've never had an issue. I was like you when I 1st started, no sump because it seemed intimidating after 20+ yrs of FW.

Now, I realize it was a breeze to set up, even for someone new to salt. You get clear, flexible tubing from Lowes, cut it in half, half goes from the overflow to the sump, half attaches to the pump to go back up to the display tank (very simplified description...there's different tube widths you have to match for the overflow and pump).

The sump holds the heater and you can even grow macroalgae under there with a clip on lamp...it also makes adding water for top-offs a piece of cake.

 

[PAXpress]

Hmm...I need to give this some thought. If I were to go this route...I'd have to get a different stand because there is zero room for any equipment inside the cabinet.

Its possible to do the tank without drilling it. I'm in the process of setting up a sump now and I did drill the tank. Drilled 5 holes with little issue and trust me I have NO experience drilling glass. You can do the over the rim overflows but they are less reliable. I wouldn't run a SW tank without a skimmer though. I have one of the remora c hob skimmers and it works great and would work great for your tank. Its rated for 75g so that should cover you (at least the model I have). They are right though a sump in the stand would be preferred. If you're going to do the whole sw thing you might as well do it right. Its a big change going from fw to sw, trust me thats where I'm at now. Just be sure your tank isn't tempered if you do decide to drill. If you plan to upgrade your tank, make sure its reef ready (drilled already with overflow ready to go). Good luck

 

[SFish]

Yeah that stand is of no use for a salt water set up. In the long run you will be much happier with the 72 and a new stand. Why not sell what you have and use the money toward a new system?