Help and Comment Req b4 starting 3ft Tank

[oceania]

Hi All,

I’ve always wanted a marine aquarium because of its interesting diversity. Did not do so earlier due to the required commitment. After much consideration and some research, I think I’m abt ready. Before I go ahead with my tank purchase, I would like to get all things right. Would greatly appreciate if you guys can if my understanding of below water conditions/elements is right.

- Specific Gravity: 1.022-1.025

- Temp if keeping ZOAs and Anemone: 28˚C

- Temp for FOWLR: 30˚C  Therefore chiller is not required?

- Ph: 8.0-8.5

- Alkalinity: 6-7dKH (If my Ph is in the ideal range, do I have to measure both Ph and dKH?)

- Calcium: 380-450mg/L

- Ammonia: 0

- Nitrate: Wht shld be the desired level?

- Nitrite: Wht shld be the desired level?

- Phosphate: Below 0.2ppm

As this is my 1st attempt, I would probably start off with a FOWLR tank. After everything has stabalised, I would proceed with soft corals and ZOAs. Below is the list of live stock and plan tank setup I’m considering. Kindly comment if any on below LS compatibility and choice of equipment.

Desired Live Stock:- False Clown fish x 2

- Anthias (Barlett) x 1

- Yellow Tang X 1

- Goby x 1

- Bi-colore Angel x 1

- Cleaner Prawn x 2

- ZOA

- Anemone

Items Required:

- Desired size of display tank: 3ftX2ftX2ft with over flow and 2 return, 1 frm sump and another frm chiller

- Thickness for display tank: 10-12mm (I understand that 10mm is the min req. For a 3ft tank, it is necessary to go up to 12mm?)

- Sump: 2.5ft

- Skimmer: Reef Octopus skimmer 2000litres needle wheel pump

- Return Pump: RIO Hyperflow Pump 4000l/hr (Based on wht I read, Rio is more energy efficient compared to Ehiem right? Would it be better to go for Ehiem 1262 (3400l/hr), AB or RIO?)

- Lighting: Wht is the lighting requirement for FOWLR? For ZOA and Anemones, I suppose MH Lights and T5s are required?

- Chiller: Hailea 300A or 500A

- LR: 20-30KG?

- Live sand: How much is required to fill a 3ft tank?

- Test Kit: Thermometer, Ammonia, Hydrometer, Nitrite (Anything else?)

Thanks,

Oceania

[metzrocco]

Hi All,

I’ve always wanted a marine aquarium because of its interesting diversity. Did not do so earlier due to the required commitment. After much consideration and some research, I think I’m abt ready. Before I go ahead with my tank purchase, I would like to get all things right. Would greatly appreciate if you guys can if my understanding of below water conditions/elements is right.

- Specific Gravity: 1.022-1.025

- Temp if keeping ZOAs and Anemone: 28˚C

- Temp for FOWLR: 30˚C  Therefore chiller is not required?

- Ph: 8.0-8.5

- Alkalinity: 6-7dKH (If my Ph is in the ideal range, do I have to measure both Ph and dKH?)

- Calcium: 380-450mg/L

- Ammonia: 0

- Nitrate: Wht shld be the desired level?

- Nitrite: Wht shld be the desired level?

- Phosphate: Below 0.2ppm

As this is my 1st attempt, I would probably start off with a FOWLR tank. After everything has stabalised, I would proceed with soft corals and ZOAs. Below is the list of live stock and plan tank setup I’m considering. Kindly comment if any on below LS compatibility and choice of equipment.

Desired Live Stock:- False Clown fish x 2

- Anthias (Barlett) x 1

- Yellow Tang X 1

- Goby x 1

- Bi-colore Angel x 1

- Cleaner Prawn x 2

- ZOA

- Anemone

Items Required:

- Desired size of display tank: 3ftX2ftX2ft with over flow and 2 return, 1 frm sump and another frm chiller

- Thickness for display tank: 10-12mm (I understand that 10mm is the min req. For a 3ft tank, it is necessary to go up to 12mm?)

- Sump: 2.5ft

- Skimmer: Reef Octopus skimmer 2000litres needle wheel pump

- Return Pump: RIO Hyperflow Pump 4000l/hr (Based on wht I read, Rio is more energy efficient compared to Ehiem right? Would it be better to go for Ehiem 1262 (3400l/hr), AB or RIO?)

- Lighting: Wht is the lighting requirement for FOWLR? For ZOA and Anemones, I suppose MH Lights and T5s are required?

- Chiller: Hailea 300A or 500A

- LR: 20-30KG?

- Live sand: How much is required to fill a 3ft tank?

- Test Kit: Thermometer, Ammonia, Hydrometer, Nitrite (Anything else?)

Thanks,

Oceania

hi, me no expert here..but for me first thing first when u got the tank set ... do a proper cycle for the tank,(ammonia,nitrite&nitrate)must be monitor before u put in any LS... Keeping marine there is a very wide range of fish to corals to Invertebrates.... What u list now may change in the future... hehe so key to success in keeping a marine tank is patience... and take things slow... read up alot from the net and get advise form senior reefers here...and my advised try not to keep Anemone ... So far me got vital info from the net and reefers here.. my tank is in stable condition.. Hope yours will too in the future..!!

Cheers bro..!! and Good luck..!!

[metzrocco]

Try checking out this few links..

http://saltaquarium.about.com/

link to cycling http://www.sgreefclu...proper-cycling/

Guess there is more.. just google...

Cheers..!!

[DUCADOS]

Live sand...

3 packs of 10kg each should be enough. (depend on how much height u wanna achieve for the sand)

[oceania]

Hi All,

Thanks for the info!

Metzrocco,

Noticed u've a 3ft tank, where did u get yrs? How much did u spend?

[metzrocco]

Hi All,

Thanks for the info!

Metzrocco,

Noticed u've a 3ft tank, where did u get yrs? How much did u spend?

hi.. yes mine is 3 x 2 x 2, me got my tank from this forum...

i cant remember how much i spent already bro.. he he...

didnt keep track....

some buy it here in the forum some me buy from shop....

keep on looking the the sell buy section if u lucky u can get it at a very good price or even foc..

cheers..!!

[oceania]

Have read some where that some cycle their thank with live rock and live sand. When doing so, is it still necessary to add mkt prawn?

[DUCADOS]

If got LR n sand,market prawn not necessary...

[oceania]

If got LR n sand,market prawn not necessary...

Ok understood thanks!

With regards to the sump, some tank makers have advised that a 2-2.5Ft sump is only big enough for 2 compartments. It seems most reefers' sump have 3 compartments:

- 1st: Where water frm the overflow enter the sump

- 2nd: Skimmer n LR

- 3rd: Return pump

Does anyone know wht the ave no. of compartment a 2-2.5Ft sump has? If the sump only has 2 compartments, will the water quality be the same as one with 3 compartments?

Additionally, I've seen some reefers place the skimmer within the sump while some place it outside the sump. Is there any diff with the 2 placement?

[ReDDeviLs]

there isnt much of a difference actually.

the difference is not great for the skimmer placement in and out sump. more of convience and space issue.

also having the livesand still requires u to cycle ur tank

best is still 3weeks to 2mths like normal.

there have been cases that livesand usage have given a impression to users that cycling can be almost instant. it later show signs of problem which is very costly, time wasting and lives lost(livestock).

try to move around lfs get different opinion and come back to forum to get confirmation on advise.

some lfs are really good in their advise.

goodluck!

[oceania]

there isnt much of a difference actually.

the difference is not great for the skimmer placement in and out sump. more of convience and space issue.

also having the livesand still requires u to cycle ur tank

best is still 3weeks to 2mths like normal.

there have been cases that livesand usage have given a impression to users that cycling can be almost instant. it later show signs of problem which is very costly, time wasting and lives lost(livestock).

try to move around lfs get different opinion and come back to forum to get confirmation on advise.

some lfs are really good in their advise.

goodluck!

Ok got it. Thanks!

I'm actually planning to use Salt Mix instead of NSW frm LSF. Frm wht I read, when doing water change after cycling, we can need to add anti chlorine and aerate water with salt mix for 1 day (preferably with air pump). Wht abt the water used for cycling? Do we also need to aerate the water?

[ReDDeviLs]

if you leave your water to mix for 24hrs or so.

u need a small waterpump or wavemaker to mix the water.

that is aerating the water. creating sufficient movement is aerating

[DUCADOS]

Having a small or a limited space in sump,u will need to calculate the measure of your return pump n other equipment accurately coz cannot afford to waste any space. For return pump n skimmer just do a exact compart to house them will do the rest of it can use for media etc...

[oceania]

Thanks Bros for the reply.

With regards to sump layout and design, will check with tank maker and be back for more advice if in doubt.

I remembered reading somewhere here abt some links to calculate the min return flow to the tank as well as chiller requirements. Does anyone know where I can find those links?

I've some questions with regards to lighting too. Understand that MH may not be necessary for all types of corals. I'm trying to find the most energy efficient lighting for my tank. If I'm planning to keep ZOAs and soft corals, are T5s alone sufficient? If yes, how many tubes are required and of which colour? Thanks!