Questions from everywhere

[jksteele010]

Alright this is going to be bit of a broad topic but I'm just getting started. First off: Tank size 75Gal. I had initially planned this tank as an african cichlid but more and more looking into a marine convinced me to go ahead and try a marine. Right now I want simply a Fish Only.
Question one, do I need an RO unit for just a FO tank?

Best way of adding the salt, take most of the water out(its been cycling for a couple weeks) and replace with salt h2o made in a seperate container or just throw some in the tank and mix with powerheads?

I got a Marineland SeaClone 100 Skimmer for free, should I keep this one or put out the money for a better skimmer and which one?

How much filtration am I looking at needing, gallons per hour wise. I currently running with an emporeor 400 and a rena xp3, too much, not enough?

Alright that pretty much covers it, thanks to all those who read.

 

[bertoni]

[welcome]

Some people are successful using tapwater. Others aren't.

You can just add salt to the tank as is, really.

The SeaClone gets pretty horrible reviews. I would get a better skimmer.

I think most people here use live rock as the base filtration. I avoid using canisters, personally, but if they're rated for the tank size, you're probably okay. These threads might help:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=707105
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=239848

 

[cplklegg]

The Seaclone is not even worth FREE.

 

[BodiBuilt]

Even a fish-only tank can still greatly benifit from adding some nice live rock (FOWLR).Adding salt in large quantity's directly to your tank assuming you already have substrate will prolong the amount of time required for the mix to completly dissolve. Consider mixing your salt with some of the water from your tank into a seperate container along with a submersible pump to help dissolve the salt. Another method I've used is to put the measured amount of salt into a bucket and submerge the entire bucket into the aquarium.Place a powerhead in the submerged bucket to help dissolve the salt mix into your tank water.You do not have to use RO/DI water although you may encounter worse than normal algae bloom's with out it(which will pass given time).Your tank would also greatly benifit from the addition of some good live sand added to your substrate once your salinity is correct.Purchase a quantity directly from an established tank at your L.F.S. or from a fellow hobbiest.Do plenty of research when choosing fish specimen's and do not add them too quickly.

 

[Steverino]

There are some mods to the Seaclone, such as:
1. using a controllable valve for the amount of air bubbles introduced to the pipe.
2. Taking out that middle tube in the big chamber, and cutting it down to be only 3-4" tall, then re-installing it.
3. cutting the center tube in the collection cup so the bubbles don't have to travel as high up (use a dremel tool).
4. use a wood airstone down in the main chamber to add additional bubbles.

Worth a try to see if it works for you before you dive into another skimmer right off the bat.