I had a 75g cichlid tank that I am now changing over to a salt water reef tank. I was just wondering if anyone could recommend any specific type of filtration system to use. I am going to get some undergravel filtration and I still have two hang on the side filters that I used when it was freshwater. I am also bidding on a protein skimmer on ebay. Any info would be appreciated.
Changing fresh to salt
- Thread starter eng55
- Start date
dont waste your time with ugf or hang ons, I would get one or two external overflows, very efficent skimmer and maybe a canister filter for carbon and other chemical filtration (and a good deal of live rock(that is how I run my reef tank) - plus invest in a good lighting system and efficent pumps
however, I would do i good deal of research if i was you before switching from cichlids to a reef tank -- there is a whole lot more maitanence and understanding involved in reefkeeping -- taking care of my cichlid tanks seems like childs play compared to maintaning my reef
i dont want to discourage you from trying it, my reef tank has become my most prized possesion, but there is a lot i had to learn before i got to this position -- if you've never done saltwater i would def start with a fish only set up (or even better a FOWLR setup that way you would already have the live rock once you were ready for a reef)
SW isnt that much more difficult then fw but there are a few different perameters that make it a little more difficult -- the reef hobby is very expensive and it is not fun to spend a $1000+ on livestock and equipment if it fails
if you have any other questions Id be happy to help you where i can
however, I would do i good deal of research if i was you before switching from cichlids to a reef tank -- there is a whole lot more maitanence and understanding involved in reefkeeping -- taking care of my cichlid tanks seems like childs play compared to maintaning my reef
i dont want to discourage you from trying it, my reef tank has become my most prized possesion, but there is a lot i had to learn before i got to this position -- if you've never done saltwater i would def start with a fish only set up (or even better a FOWLR setup that way you would already have the live rock once you were ready for a reef)
SW isnt that much more difficult then fw but there are a few different perameters that make it a little more difficult -- the reef hobby is very expensive and it is not fun to spend a $1000+ on livestock and equipment if it fails
if you have any other questions Id be happy to help you where i can
if your just starting out i sugest you do a FWLR (fish with live rock) insted just to get your hand's wet into saltwater. Once you have that down right then you can make it a reef tank.
I wouldn't even bother with a UGF there turd!!! get your self a Canister filter i'd say it was your best bet.
Check these out In my eye's there the top brand !
http://www.charterhouse-aquatics.co.uk/catalog/eheim-filters-c-62.html
Check these out In my eye's there the top brand !
http://www.charterhouse-aquatics.co.uk/catalog/eheim-filters-c-62.html
The Jaubert method does NOT use an overflow nor does it have a reservior below the aquarium. Dr. Jaubert, of the Monaco Aquarium, promotes a variation of the Lee Chin Eng system which uses the 'natural' approach. The main variation is the introduction of a Plenum at the bottom of the tank.
A plenum is a gap or void space underneath the one to four inches of live sand at the bottom of the tank. Typically this void space is 1 inch deep and this area becomes anoxic, or an area low in oxygen. This anoxic area creates a 'ying-yang' enviroment where oxygen strarved organisms breakdown or remove components from the oxygen carrying organisms and components. The natural reduction of Nitrate ( NO3 ) in these systems is the direct result of a plenum as it generates a 'de-nitrification' process that robs the nitrate complex of its oxygen. Another benifit of the two opposing enviroments is the natural dissolution of calcium, magnesium, and strontium to natural levels within the aquarium.
The Jaubert system does not use a protien skimmer as the removal of organics via skimmer would decrease the effectiveness of the plenum. Additionally the only water movement within the tank is that of an airstone and its resulting rising bubbles.
Placed upon the sand bottom is the live rock. The live rock should be strategically positioned so that minimizes the amount of sand that it actually covers, as the covered spots would quickly cause dead areas within the sand that it sits upon.
A plenum is a gap or void space underneath the one to four inches of live sand at the bottom of the tank. Typically this void space is 1 inch deep and this area becomes anoxic, or an area low in oxygen. This anoxic area creates a 'ying-yang' enviroment where oxygen strarved organisms breakdown or remove components from the oxygen carrying organisms and components. The natural reduction of Nitrate ( NO3 ) in these systems is the direct result of a plenum as it generates a 'de-nitrification' process that robs the nitrate complex of its oxygen. Another benifit of the two opposing enviroments is the natural dissolution of calcium, magnesium, and strontium to natural levels within the aquarium.
The Jaubert system does not use a protien skimmer as the removal of organics via skimmer would decrease the effectiveness of the plenum. Additionally the only water movement within the tank is that of an airstone and its resulting rising bubbles.
Placed upon the sand bottom is the live rock. The live rock should be strategically positioned so that minimizes the amount of sand that it actually covers, as the covered spots would quickly cause dead areas within the sand that it sits upon.
Thanks for all the info everybody. I am bidding on a canister filter right now on ebay. What type of external overflows could you guys recommend? Also I am bidding on an protein skimmer on line. Dont know if it is a good one or not. It is a seaclone 150. If you guys could recommend one of those I would appreciate. I also was just thinking of doing a live rock and fish only tank as well, just to start out with.
Thanks
E
Thanks
E
really any overflow box system that is for sale is genrally gonna be the same
as for the seaclone i would save your money and purchase a quality protien skimmer - i know the first skimmer i bought was a seaclone 150 and now it sits in a closet, they arent bad b/c you can get them for cheap, however, its my opinion that a good quality protien skimmer is the best investment for a sw tank --
i would shop around at any lfs that specialize in saltwater and reef and take a look at their skimmer selection, sometimes they have a used section where you can find a really good skimmer at a good discount - usually a quality skimmer will carry a "quality" price
also it may be comforting to know that you usually dont need to run a skimmer for the first month or so b/c there really isnt enough dissolved protiens built up in the tank yet - so that should give you some time to shop around
FOWLR set up is def the way to go for your first set up, live rock will add a great deal of biological filtration plus your selection of fish is a lot greater with a fish only -- if your a cichlid fan i would suggest a trigger - tons of personality and agressive as can be - only problem is finding tankmates! i bought a picasso trigger as my first sw fish and he soon became an alltime favorite
as for the seaclone i would save your money and purchase a quality protien skimmer - i know the first skimmer i bought was a seaclone 150 and now it sits in a closet, they arent bad b/c you can get them for cheap, however, its my opinion that a good quality protien skimmer is the best investment for a sw tank --
i would shop around at any lfs that specialize in saltwater and reef and take a look at their skimmer selection, sometimes they have a used section where you can find a really good skimmer at a good discount - usually a quality skimmer will carry a "quality" price
also it may be comforting to know that you usually dont need to run a skimmer for the first month or so b/c there really isnt enough dissolved protiens built up in the tank yet - so that should give you some time to shop around
FOWLR set up is def the way to go for your first set up, live rock will add a great deal of biological filtration plus your selection of fish is a lot greater with a fish only -- if your a cichlid fan i would suggest a trigger - tons of personality and agressive as can be - only problem is finding tankmates! i bought a picasso trigger as my first sw fish and he soon became an alltime favorite
If it were me I would get the tank drilled and use a sump. Larger water volume and also a place to put hardware. Stay away from the sea clown 150, I've never used one but everything I've heard and read says they are junk. FOWLR is a perfect way to start. Live rock, if there is enough should provide all the filtration necessary all you'll need is flow. 10-15 times turn over is the "recomendation", this can be a mix of return from sump if your using and powerheads.
Just one mans opinion. Good luck, you'll love it.
Just one mans opinion. Good luck, you'll love it.