Tank Selection

S

Schmoner

New member
I'm Brand new, starting out on the Marine rollecoaster and have a few questions.
I've been ploughing through books, and books researching, but i'm rather stuck on the choice of Tank!

Pardon me for being a bit stupid but just when I thought i'd made a good selection for a tank I read on other sites that it's a bad choice?

I was looking at Fluval Trigon 190 ??

then I start reading about drilling, overflows, syphons ????

Arghh, can anyone please help me, just when I thought i'd done enough research?

thanks
 
[welcome]
http://www.theaquariumshop.co.uk/juwel-trigon-o-31.html

Is that the system?

I know how information overload feels, so don't get discouraged! It'll pass.

That tank is fine for a fish-only or fish with live rock setup. The lighting is too weak for most corals that people want to keep.

So, the first order of business is to see what you'd like to keep. Some animals require high flow, high light, some lower flow, some lower light, etc, so on down the line.

How big a tank do you want to have? The 190 isn't too bad a setup for a beginner, IMO, although a bit bigger might be more bullet-proof, like a 250-300 L system.
 
The thing that stood out to me is how shallow the hood is. That will really limit what you can hide in there. Seems like everyone upgrades at some point or the other. I went from PC's to MH and my canopy is 8" which is pretty tight given the reflectors and mogul bases etc. I also added 4" fans which (at least from the picture) doesn't look like you could do that. May not be applicable but something worth consideration.
 
I researched this hobby for about 3 months until I got into it. At one point you have to dive in and learn. The research helps avoid some "studpid" mistakes and narrow down choices about what you'd like to keep. Upgrades can always be made down the road, and people are that have many tanks always like a deal on used equipment.
 
thanks Everyone so far for all your help.

bertoni, this is the model I'm looking at yes, and I've already decided on the Fish only + l/r setup, corals seem a bit daunting really for a beginner like me.

So Far, the model comes complete with internal filter which houses the heater, so not much equipment on view.

Still looking towards u/g filtration too, would you recommend this? And will it be easy enough to setup with the unusual shape etc?

another model i've considered is http://www.theaquariumshop.co.uk/juwel-rio-240-o-28.html

think this would be more beneficial for a beginner?
 
Do you plan on having a sump? The cabinet doesn't allow for you to hide a sump under the tank. Lots of decisions to make at the beginning that you'll have to live with for a while :)

When I started looking I put an emphasis on ensuring the system could grow as my knowledge and confidence grew with reef keeping.
 
if you want to do an UG filtration system, I sugest you read the 35 year old tank thread thats floating in either this forum, or the reef discussion forum... it goes into how to set up a UG for saltwater.

otherwise, UG filters aren't recommended for saltwater setups.

I'd invest in a skimmer instead of a UG. They cost more initially, but in the long run, theyare VERY nice to use-but since it already comes with a filtration system (it a freshwater one, but can be used on saltwater) it may be ok without ANYTHING RESEMBLING a UG filter!

I'd also invest in Live Rock... and you should be good to go... if your SURE THAT YOUR NEVER GOIN TO UPGRADE IT... if you do want to add a sump later, or better lights, you'll have to ditch the hood, and the sump would have to be plumbed to outside of the cabinet.
 
I think that is a much better choice than the bowfront. For a first tank, keep in mind, they are a lot more forgiving when they are bigger. If you make a small mistake in a big tank, it may be fine. But the same size mistake in a small tank could be deadly to your inhabitants.
Eric
 
Ok Folks, before my head gets Mashed.

In people opinions, for a new starter, looking for around a 240-300 litre aquarium, No Sump. Not decided on U/g filtration or not.

What would be, in your opinions, the ideal setup.

Cost not too much of an issue, but avoid un-necessary cost?

Thanks
 
For a FOWLR, shallow sand bed (easier to set up, compatible with more fish), good skimmer, maybe a kilo of live rock per 10 liters of water. I would avoid the UGF. If you want a heavy fish load, you could add some sort of wet-dry or similar filter.

The Juwel 240 seems like a fine choice, although it will be difficult to upgrade to corals.

Don't worry too much. If you decide you don't like something, you can change it.
 
Thanks for your help and advice Bertoni,

After a full day trawling online and through all LFS i've come up with my combination:

Tank 264 Litres
http://www.theaquariumshop.co.uk/evasion-120-o-222.html

Filter Eheim 2322 incorporating Heater
http://www.theaquariumshop.co.uk/eheim-2322-thermo-filter-o-74.html

Along with a good skimmer and maybe a Powerhead or two, as it's an external filter.

I'm feeling more confident now thanks to everyones help and suggestions, and hopefully you'll agree, a good combination so far?...
 
The tank setup seems fine. Eheim products are good, but you might not need the filtration part at all if you use live rock. I don't use any filters of that type except in quarantine tanks.

If you're not interested in live rock, that looks like a fine filter.
 
The problem with the filters such as the Eheim is that they seem to raise the level of nitrate in the water in many tanks. So I've removed all media of that type from my systems. If you want to keep a heavy fish load, though, that filter might be useful, and fish don't care so much about nitrate levels.
 
thanks, interesting to know.

Would you recommend an alternative filter? Preferably with enclosed heater?

Always Grateful
 
I have a corner tank: stony corals require a fairly tall, open hood to support the light (or hang same)---and when I need to reach the bottom of the tank to fix something, it's just at the absolute reach of my arm while standing on a painter's ladder. But I love my tank. Do plan for access, and for sump and stowage. They don't make triangular sumps (take a hint, tank-makers) and I'm probably going to get an adjacent cabinet to hold the topoff water tank. With a straight tank you don't have quite so many problems, but I love the look of the bowfront.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Reefing102
Kicking’ it old school - What’s your must have books?
2
Replies
26
Views
628
Reefing102
Reefing102
J
Bare Bottom QT tank won't start cycle :(
Replies
13
Views
189
Dr. Reef
Dr. Reef
H
From pro to hobby
Replies
10
Views
445
kfisc
kfisc
D
Beginner in Aquariums
Replies
2
Views
204
griss
griss
P
Research has me discouraged!!
Replies
9
Views
383
five.five-six
five.five-six
Back
Top