newbie to salt and setting up after the holidays

[the raz]

ive kept fresh water for several years with pretty good results , but now im taking the plunge in to salt water so any advise would help greatly. here are my specs and what i want to do . 65 gal. tank, emperor 400 h.o.b. filter and a cascade canister that does up to 65 gal ( canister i'll use just for floss and the 400 will be used for chemical and mechanical filtration not using bio wheels ) not sure of the skimmer to get but i've been hearing good things about the super skimmer with the needle wheel( the 125 gal ) i have the all glass 110 watt compact lights and the dual 96w w/ lunar light orbit set up . i have 60 lbs. base rock (dry) and 120 lbs. agramax sand for a deep bed . im also planning on getting the titanium heater. i want to set this up to house a community tank of both fish and inverts but not a full blown reef . i also plan on getting about 30 to 40 lbs. live rock (marshall island ) and about 2 lbs. live sand . my biggest question right now is what your out looks are on using cured or uncured live rock and if and how to cycle my tank using it? thanks much the raz

[pederali1]

I have a super skimmer myself, it works great and it's inexpensive! Good luck and welcome to TRT! Merry Christmas eve

J

[tdwyatt]

WELCOME to TRT, and Merry Christmas!

Originally Posted by the raz

ive kept fresh water for several years with pretty good results , but now im taking the plunge in to salt water

... 65 gal. tank, emperor 400 h.o.b. filter and a cascade canister that does up to 65 gal ( canister i'll use just for floss and the 400 will be used for chemical and mechanical filtration not using bio wheels ) not sure of the skimmer to get but i've been hearing good things about the super skimmer with the needle wheel( the 125 gal ) i have the all glass 110 watt compact lights and the dual 96w w/ lunar light orbit set up . i have 60 lbs. base rock (dry) and 120 lbs. agramax sand for a deep bed . im also planning on getting the titanium heater. i want to set this up to house a community tank of both fish and inverts but not a full blown reef . i also plan on getting about 30 to 40 lbs. live rock (marshall island ) and about 2 lbs. live sand . my biggest question right now is what your out looks are on using cured or uncured live rock and if and how to cycle my tank using it?

Before you buy anything else, take the time to do some reading in books listed on THIS LINK . You will find that some of the presuppositions made for freshwater are not only inadequate for SW systems, but that they can be detrimental. We find this to be especially true when using physical particulate filters in SW systems, as the Floss, etc., will act as a substrate for decomposition of suspended mater=ials that leads to nutrient enrichment of the water column, and THIS sets the stage for large uncontrolled nuisance algal blooms, the number one reason most folks leave the SW hobby. It sounds like you have started getting some advice/doin your research, but it will make a big difference to have all your research done before beginning your new pursuit.

In particular, The Fenner and the Tullock books will be good starting points, as they explain not only the biology of the systems you intend to run, but will have some of the chemistry of the water column, and will explain the different habitats (biotopes) in detail and how they differ from each other (which will make a difference on what equipment and filtration you will need). Making a decision on which specimen in particular is the most important to you, then building your system around the conditions necessary to support this specimen (and this will include its tankmates) will make the difference between success and failure (and DEFINITELY impact your pocketbook).


Take the time to read now, as you'll find that patience is not just a virtue in this hobby, cultivating it is equivalent to achieving a successful thriving coral system.

Nothing good ever happens quickly in a reef system, only the bad stuff.


HTH

[the raz]

thanx for the replies so far what kind of media would you suggest i use in the canister if floss is no good ? also i heard that the emperor is fine for sw as long as you dont use the bio wheels due to the fact that leech high amounts of nitrates in to the tank . and any book names would be a great help

[xaoss23]

A good place to start is:





The Conscientious Marine Aquarist by Robert Fenner



A helpful followup:





Natural Reef Aquariums by John Tullock




and everyone should have a copy of:



Marine Fishes Pocket Guide by Scott Michael

[xaoss23]

Originally Posted by the raz

what kind of media would you suggest i use in the canister if floss is no good ?

if youre using LR you really wont need to have the canister. Your Live Rock is going to do all the filtering of the tank for you.

Originally Posted by the raz

also i heard that the emperor is fine for sw as long as you dont use the bio wheels due to the fact that leech high amounts of nitrates in to the tank .

the emperor would be fine for carbon but make sure youre keeping the media and sponges changed frequently to avoid buildup. The info your learned about the leeching of nitrates is the same reason people stay away from the canister filters...

[titanfan]

I am changing over a 75 gallon fresh to salt FOWLR. I like you have a canister filter. I plan on keeping it but shall remove all media from it. Basically I will use it as an expensive super small sump (wasted the money on it when i did fresh). It will at the least help with flow. As for my emperor I shall do the same with it only running carbon once and awhile and not letting the catridges stay in for very long.
Going from fresh to salt like you I have found a HUGE difference in the 2. Reading, research, this forum, and my limited experience has shown me the most important things in salt tanks are the protein skimmer, flow, live rock, and lighting (if doing a reef). I am convinced with proper flow, constant water changes, and one kick ass skimmer is all you need. If you think about it that is how the ocean works. The waves against the shore is your protein skimmer (I am sure you have seen the foam on the shoreline created by this). The sun is your light. The live rock is your biolocal filtration. The moons gravity makes for the waves and currents (flow). All of this has been around for thousands of years before we where even thought about on this planet... That would bring you to the other most important thing I have found which is patience and time. Take it slow. Welcome to the forums I have found this to be the most friendly and information filled one on the net.

[Psymon]

I just got the Super Skimmer by Coralife, Great skimmer for the money!!!


Why don't you just do a sump?? a Simple Refergium or Wetdry w/ LR.

[the raz]

my reply to psy is that i live in a pretty small up stairs apt. and i am very worried about an over flow with a sump or a wet/dry and i am also trying to use as much of my original equipment for now. i want to say thanks for the book advise i will be picking up those books plus i also receive TFH

[Loverotties]

Welcome to TRT!

[VWD]

Welcome to TRT!

[tdwyatt]

Originally Posted by the raz

... i am very worried about an over flow with a sump or a wet/dry and i am also trying to use as much of my original equipment for now. i want to say thanks for the book advise i will be picking up those books plus i also receive TFH

Heh! if your sump is large enough and the plumbing set up correctly, you won't have an issue with the overflows.


and they do NOT have to be expensive...