Ok, I thought I would follow Paul's request at the last COMAS meeting on starting an article over my tank. As this begins to grow I will combine my post and create my "article" for COMAS. I decided in December I really wanted to change over my 55 gallon freshwater tank to a saltwater tank. I don't think in December I realized the cost involved with not only starting a 55 but upgrading to a 75 ha-ha. I decided that I was not going to run a sump on my 75 and purchase everything to be a unit that is Hang on tank compatible. Not only did I want to purchase something built for a 75 but I wanted my equipment to function on tanks larger than that. I felt it was important to leave myself options to grow with my tank and not have to start all over with new equipment.
My first purchase was the Truboflotor multi. I chose this unit after much reading because it was very versatile and could be used as a HOB, in sump, or hang on sump. I will be using it as a HOB for now but in a year or two when I move on to a sump or larger tank it will then be moved down to the sump.
For chemical filtration I am running a Magnum 350 canister filter. I decided it would be good to use chemical filtration since I am not running a sump plus it also provides the added benefit of the carbon or other media I may need to add. From all the reading I have done it seems the water quality is the most important. Having a back-up such as the canister filter is essential for the simple fact I would have nothing if something should falter with my primary water filter, my skimmer.
Lighting was my next big ticket purchase. I wasn't sure if I wanted a fish only or a reef and fish tank. I went back and forth on the issue as to the type of lighting I wanted to have due to cost reasons. I honestly did not budget this when I first decided to do saltwater because I thought my smaller pc would work, that attitude quickly changed as I researched and learned more about saltwater. I am not good with building things nor do I have the space to build anything in my apt. I ended up buying a "light fixture" instead of putting a canopy and retro kit on. I ended up getting Currents Outer Orbit 2x150 MH and 4x54 w T-5. It also has 18 moon lights built into the fixture (half blue, half white). I like this fixture because each light source has individual plugs. Some may think this is a bad idea of having 4 plugs for one fixture but from my understanding of electricity, this is a much safer option.
Ok, I will add more to this tomorrow and post a pic of what it looks like right now.
My first purchase was the Truboflotor multi. I chose this unit after much reading because it was very versatile and could be used as a HOB, in sump, or hang on sump. I will be using it as a HOB for now but in a year or two when I move on to a sump or larger tank it will then be moved down to the sump.
For chemical filtration I am running a Magnum 350 canister filter. I decided it would be good to use chemical filtration since I am not running a sump plus it also provides the added benefit of the carbon or other media I may need to add. From all the reading I have done it seems the water quality is the most important. Having a back-up such as the canister filter is essential for the simple fact I would have nothing if something should falter with my primary water filter, my skimmer.
Lighting was my next big ticket purchase. I wasn't sure if I wanted a fish only or a reef and fish tank. I went back and forth on the issue as to the type of lighting I wanted to have due to cost reasons. I honestly did not budget this when I first decided to do saltwater because I thought my smaller pc would work, that attitude quickly changed as I researched and learned more about saltwater. I am not good with building things nor do I have the space to build anything in my apt. I ended up buying a "light fixture" instead of putting a canopy and retro kit on. I ended up getting Currents Outer Orbit 2x150 MH and 4x54 w T-5. It also has 18 moon lights built into the fixture (half blue, half white). I like this fixture because each light source has individual plugs. Some may think this is a bad idea of having 4 plugs for one fixture but from my understanding of electricity, this is a much safer option.
Ok, I will add more to this tomorrow and post a pic of what it looks like right now.
