New Member

[hootie51]

hey everybody...I'm a new member to reef central but so far I have been very impressed with the site. I have a couple of questions. After taking down my first saltwater tank about a year ago b/c of algae problems I have decided to try it again. I'm hoping to get an Oceanic 40 gallon stretch hex for Christmas and before it comes I'm doing some research to make sure I have everything I need. Ok here is my plan: I want to set it up first as FO with LS and gradually add LR and build up to a reef. My main question so far is whether to use a wet/dry filter or set up a 20g as a sump/refug. If a sump/refug system is going to be best it will be a DIY and I have absolutely no experience in doing this, so suggestions on the EASIEST way to do this would be good. I do plan on buying a skimmer at some point ( a remora C...probably not right away but hopefully within a couple of months) and would like to put it in the sump. Ok any further suggestions, comments, hints, tips, etc would be appreciated. I really want this tank to be a success. Sorry for the long post but I appreciate the help.
Thanks
Steven

[Randall_James]

<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>
hootie51

Personally I would start out with all my Liverock in the tank. The curing/cycling process will need to be isolated to other containers otherwise it is unwise to "new" rock to an existing setup. I would look to a sump if you have the room for all the other stuff as the Hex tank maximizes the view.

If you keep up with water changes, you can forgo the skimmer for a bit. It is going to be to your benefit to get one pretty quickly I think as the volume of water changes could start to get expensive.

Good Luck and hope you have a camera to show off your progress :D

[hootie51]

I went back to my LFS where they have the tank and told him I had concerns with doing a wet/dry b/c of the risk of increased nitrates and he suggested using the wet/dry but taking out the bio balls and substituting with other types of filtration media and adding a skimmer. Does this seem like something that would work? I want to add a fuge at some point and using the wet/dry this way seems like it will allow me to add a fuge onto it later. Suggestions or anything else would be helpful. I don't have the tank yet and am still in the planning stages and I would like to get everything right so please...any input on anything filtration, lighting, etc would be appreciated.
thanks
Steven

[Jill & Brian]

Instead of buying the wet/ dry and taking out the bio balls, but a glass tank the size of the wet dry, and add your own baffles using acrylic or glass sheets cut to fit. This way you can configure it to fit your needs.

I agree that you should start out with live rock. A lot of people start out with dry rock and a bit of life rock to keep cost down. Dry rock is basically live rock that is dried out and dead. YOu would then seed it with a piece or two of live rock.

[ledford1]

Because you already know that you want to go to a reef, you should buy all your equipment with that in mind. Don't buy equipment for a FO or FOWLR, buy reef equipment, otherwise you'll be buying double and spending much more money in the long-run.

Go sump/fuge, don't do wet/dry.

Get a hefty skimmer. To me, the skimmer is the most important piece of equipment. I'd suggest in-sump skimmers, such as EuroReef or ASM. People have lots of opinions on skimmers, but these are two names that are always at the top.

LR is nice b/c it will kick-start your cycle and actually makes your tank more stable. I would advise starting with LR. You can also use some base rock mixed with LR to save some money.

Just remember, becasue your goal is a reef, buy all your equipment with that in mind.

Also, don't always trust your LFS. There are good ones and bad ones.

Welcome to RC. I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I have.

[Paintbug]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6283487#post6283487 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jill & Brian
Instead of buying the wet/ dry and taking out the bio balls, but a glass tank the size of the wet dry, and add your own baffles using acrylic or glass sheets cut to fit. This way you can configure it to fit your needs.

I agree that you should start out with live rock. A lot of people start out with dry rock and a bit of life rock to keep cost down. Dry rock is basically live rock that is dried out and dead. YOu would then seed it with a piece or two of live rock.

100% agreed!! there is no need to buy a W/D just to end up taking out things you dont need. thats what i did before i knew not to. you can get a pre-built refugium for the same price as a W/D system. or you can get a 10g glass tank, and make your own. check out Melev's site for some great info on sumps http://www.melevsreef.com/ ! your options are not limited to the LFS :D. check places like Ebay. i got my W/D for $225 shipped w/ a skimmer(though its not the greatest :D) but theres some fuges on there for $200 or so thats complete even with an overflo box. you are heading in the right direction, research then buy.

if you are planning on FO then going to FOWLR, the REEF. that will work. just as long as your LFS sells 100% cured LR. if they dont, and say they order it directly for you and they dont cure it after shipping, you will have a small to large ammonia spike. thats why most people start with LR. plus it helps the tank's nitrogen cycle start.

[MCary]

Don't over complicate things and everything will be easier to understand.

My personnal opinion on wet/drys, if you put alot of liverock in your tank and have good circulation then you have accomplished everything a wet/dry offers plus reduced nitrates. So if you have LR, I would forget the Wet/dry.

One thing the Wet/Drys do offer is a sump. Sumps are nice for hiding equipment and providing a place for your skimmer. Huge flow rates through skimmers are no longer the rage. With Tunze and Seio power heads and creative closed loop designs the flow can be generated in better and more efficient ways.

As far as DIY to save money. Like I said, its not complicated. A glass or plastic tank with a bubble trap (baffles or PVC pipe), overflow and return and bingo.

[hootie51]

thanks guys for the help. I am going to go ahead and buy all reef ready equipment. even if that means buying equipment as $$ situation permits and it increases the time b4 i can get everything set up, that is fine with me. I am no hurry and want to do everthing right. I am going to start with all the LR i need. the more i read the clearer it is to me that it does help with the cycling process and plus once its all there i can start adding corals and stuff sooner. I have a 20 gallon that is not being used so if it will fit under the cabinet i will use that as a sump and skimmer holder instead of buying a w/d. I'm probably not going to do a fuge right away b/c they are not totally essential and cost $ but that is one of the future additions i would like to add. when the tank comes i will keep everyone posted on progress. thanks again!
Steven

[Paintbug]

you can make the 20g a fuge fairly cheap. just get some acrylic to make baffles, add some sand, LR, macro algae, cheap light, BAM you have a fuge. $50 if that much. its easier to do it before everything is setup than to do it when everything is running.

[hootie51]

yeah I'm thinking the 20g should be big enough for both a sump w/ skimmer and small fuge. whats a good wattage for a fuge? also, this may seem like a dumb question but it is ok for the light from the fuge to spill out into the rest of the sump right? it doesnt have to be isolated does it?