VHO in contrast to power compacts

[labrat31]

Hi all,

This is my first time on the site and the knowledge of the subscribers seems great. This reinforces my attitude about the LFS, or should I say local banks. I have several questions regarding the tank I’m going to be seting up this month. It’s going to be an all fish 180 gal saltwater tank with inhabitants ranging from various tangs, clowns, butterflies and damsels. Currently I have 2 72” and 2 48” VHO bulbs, Berlin protein skimmer that has worked great, UV sterilizer, a homemade wet/dry filter, 2 Magnum 350 canister filters etc etc.
Do I have enough lighting or do you recommend more? I’m torn about the wet/dry and the nitrate issues that come along with the filtration device. What type of filtration do you advise for the all fish tank? What type of lighting do you recommend? I’m thinking about making an algae scrubber, what is your opinion on these contraptions? For an all fish tank do you recommend a RO water purifier or would a simple tap water purifier be adequate. Should I use purified water for the initial filling of the tank? Any suggestions that you may have would be greatly appreciated; I want to set my tank up properly from the start. I’m not worried about spending the money to make my children healthy and happy. Also, I’m considering setting up a 55 gal reef in the bedroom of my new house, what would be the perfect setup from your professional experience? You guys and gals are great!!!!

Cheers,

Dr. Rick

[Doug1]

Dr Rick, since no one else has jumped on this first let me say welcome to thereeftank :
secondly let me say plan out the inhabitants of you tank carefully, chasing annoying damsels around a 180 is a PITA even without live rock in it. As far as the lighting you listed its fine for a fish only tank, fish arent that picky. Just be aware tangs get big and need lots of room, so pick a couple that will be compatible. Butterflies fish on the other hand are mostly difficult so be prepared. Clowns are territorial and if introduced as 2 or more one will emerge as the dominant female, not always to the males delite, they can be quarelsome and damsels, what can I say they can survive most anything but deserve more respect that to be treated as disposable "cycle fish".The filtration you describe wil work fine though be prepared for high nitrate levels with a high bioload, unless you do water changes fairly regularly.
I won't comment om algae turf scrubbers though I have a large algae sump for nutrient export, definatly something worth considering

[Doug1]

By the way since you have the VHO already I dont see that you gain anything by scrapping and changing to power compacts, like I said the fish wont care, even if you do a FOWLR(fish only with live rock) that lighting will be sufficient at the start. If you opt for coral later you can add MH. but OK for now.
As far as water tap vs RO/Di I would recommend starting off with the purest water you can, even well water can have a lot of unwanted stuff in it. I have fairly good well water but live in the couny and have agricultural nitrate/phosphate in my water so I use RO with DI on my reef, FWIW

[Drew]

Hi Dr. Rick,

Just want to put in my two cents, which will pretty much echo what Doug has already said. The lighting you currently have will be fine for a FO tank, no worries. Nitrates aren't as much of a factor in FO tanks as they are in reefs, so I think you can keep the wet/dry, it will help keep up with the bio-load. I can't comment on the algae scrubber, since I have no experience with them. Regarding the source water, since you said money is not an issue, go out an buy an RO/DI. I recommend AquaFX, they have great units there. And since you may set up a 55 reef, you would want one anyway. As for advice, I will say this, research all your purchases (the internet is a powerful tool for this) before buying, since one wrong addition can cause the downfall of many others. And most importantly...make sure to take some time to sit back and enjoy your work! Grab something cold from the fridge, sit in front of the tank, and let mother nature amaze you! Good luck with everything and keep us posted!

Drew

P.S.- Welcome to TRT

[Alice]

Welcome!

You might want to get the Reef Aqaurium Fishes book by Scott Michael (help me out here folks, if I got the title wrong...I'm brain dead). Great info on just about every aspect of a fish you might be considering. A 180 seems huge but once you start putting a few big fish in it, it will fill up fast Check our archive section for other good reading material.

Unless your bedroom is really cramped for space, I'd recommend you go for a 75 gallon tank rather than a 55. Much nicer for reefs as it's deeper front to back and gives you more room for natural looking aquascaping. I have a theory about why LFS generally sell newcomers a 55...it's so they'll be back to upgrade in a year or so (j/k...well, sorta)

~Alice

[FishDaddy]

Hi Dr. Rick,

I second the comments already made.
Whether FO or Reef, the purest water you can get will benefit your tank. DI, such as the Tap Water Purifier, gives good results (I've used one for several years for both FW and Saltwater tanks) but the cartridges (about $15 a pop) are good for between 50 and 150 gallons, depending on the source water quality) so you will be running through lots of them for the 180 and a second tank. I'd recommend a good RO/DI unit.

As for a 55 for the bedroom, Alice is right; get a 75!!! I have a 55 and will be upgrading it. I like Alice's theory but have a couple of my own:
1) The 55 makes an excellent freshwater tank and many more people are into freshwater than salt, thus they are in good supply at LFS;
2) We are conditioned to think of 55 gallons as a large volume of water since historically, fluids have been stored and shipped in 55 gallon drums. Newcomers relate that "big bucket of water" concept to aquariums only to find that that's not all that much for reef tanks and the 12" front to back size is far less than ideal.
HTH
Dick

[Spanky]

Greetings and Welcome!

Originally posted by labrat31:
What type of filtration do you advise for the all fish tank?

For me; live sand, live rock, plenty of skimming (you might think about two units), AND a over the top UV. Probably a 80w High Output unit, covers your rear end when you make those little goofs

Jerel

[labrat31]

Hey all,

Thanks for the great advice and I'll keep you updated. The 75 gal for a reef tank is an excellent idea, now I have to persuade my wife. This site is great!!!!!!

Cheers,

Rcik

[Wrasse Man]

Hey Doc,
Just wanted to stop and say welcome. I can't really add anything that the other's missed. I can't remember if anyone mentioned The Consciencous Aquarist (?) and John Tullock's Book The Natural Reef for when you set the reef up in your room.

Enjoy!