Setting up a 75 Gallon Tank

[filtermaniac]

I have a 75 gallon acrylic tank setup for FW. I would like to convert this to SW. I think the cheaper way to go to "get my feet wet" in SW is to go FO instead of FOWLR. I currently have a pair of Rena XP3's on this tank & can plumb the tank for a sump.

The question(s) are:

If I cycle a tank for SW, add fish, then in a few months want to go FOWLR, can I do that?

Would using cured LR make any difference in the previous question?

The Rena XP3 canister filter states that its SW safe. Does anyone have any experiences with this?

Would using a skimmer (i'm thinking about the Euro-Reef CS80) be beneficial?

Am I missing any other important points here?

 

[Tate]

Go ahead and get the live rock. It is your biological filter and you will be much better off in the long run. Ditch the canisters, they are nitrate factories in most cases. I skimmer isn't necessary but is certainly very benneficial. Get one unless you like changing the water alot.

 

[smcdonn]

Yea. Go ahead and get some live rock now. Get rid of those canister filters and invest in a nice protein skimmer (Euro reef, ASM, etc). You can always slowly add CURED live rock after the tank is up and running. I feel that would be the best route.

Sean

 

[filtermaniac]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7508476#post7508476 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tate
Go ahead and get the live rock. It is your biological filter and you will be much better off in the long run. Ditch the canisters, they are nitrate factories in most cases. I skimmer isn't necessary but is certainly very benneficial. Get one unless you like changing the water alot.

I would need 1.5-2 pounds of LR per gallon to use the Berlin method. That equates to around 113-150 pounds of LR total. I really can't afford that right now. LR here in west Michigan sells for anywhere from $6 - 10 / pound.

My idea was to go FO, possibly replace the canister filters with a wet / dry setup & add a skimmer. After a while, maybe 6 months after I've completed the setup, I'd splurge for the best LR I could find.

Is that feasible?

 

[Agu]

I'd go wth live rock right away.

LR is a natural filter and helps maintain water quality.

LR looks natural in a tank.

LR can have some surprises, good or bad, but it's fun to see what grows on/around the rock.

LR aquascaped to provide tunnels and hiding places is beneficial to your fish. If a fish feels safe and secure and has places to hide they're less stressed and actually behaving more normally.

You can save money by buying uncured rock and curing it in your tank, that's what cycling is in the reef hobby.

If you can afford a good skimmer get one, it makes up for a lot of mistakes in the marine hobby.

 

[filtermaniac]

So how much LR should I get for a minimum (in pounds) for a 75 Gallon tank?