Hi All,
I'm new to this forum, but not new to fish keeping. I have, however, not had a tank in about 7 years or so. Much has changed since.
I've had just about every type of setup there is. Went from freshwater, to African Cichlids, to salt FO, reef, freshwater planted tank, and everything in between.
I got out of it all a while back, but now I'm single again, living alone, and moving two blocks from the beach in South Walton, FL. I have the money, space, time, and solitude to do pretty much anything I want, and I think that includes setting up a big tank.
Out of all the niches in this hobby, I think I like salt FO the most. I especially like Triggers, and am kicking around the idea of a Trigger'ish type community tank (insofar as that is possible) with Triggers, Puffers, and maybe a Lionfish and Eel. I've had similar tanks, but on a smaller scale.
I'm thinking about something around 150 to 200g. I'm not wealthy, and will probably try to pickup the tank and stand used. I wanted to get your opinions on a few issues:
1. I will be two blocks from the beach. South Walton has crystal clear water, and sugar white sands. What do you guys think about using natural seawater and white sand harvested from the shallows. Of course I'll have to figure out a way to move that much sand and water two blocks (which may as well be two miles), but at least as far as the sand goes, it might be worth the hassle in money saved, and I wouldn't have to do it all at once.
2. What sort of setup would you recommend? I'm thinking some sort of DIY cannister filter that will give me lots of turnover. I would probably add another small commercial cannister filter with a UV sterilizer inline to kill the bugs.
3. I'm thinking that on a FO tank, I won't need a skimmer. Thoughts?
Anyone doing anything similar to this?
Thanks in advance!
Bill
I'm new to this forum, but not new to fish keeping. I have, however, not had a tank in about 7 years or so. Much has changed since.
I've had just about every type of setup there is. Went from freshwater, to African Cichlids, to salt FO, reef, freshwater planted tank, and everything in between.
I got out of it all a while back, but now I'm single again, living alone, and moving two blocks from the beach in South Walton, FL. I have the money, space, time, and solitude to do pretty much anything I want, and I think that includes setting up a big tank.
Out of all the niches in this hobby, I think I like salt FO the most. I especially like Triggers, and am kicking around the idea of a Trigger'ish type community tank (insofar as that is possible) with Triggers, Puffers, and maybe a Lionfish and Eel. I've had similar tanks, but on a smaller scale.
I'm thinking about something around 150 to 200g. I'm not wealthy, and will probably try to pickup the tank and stand used. I wanted to get your opinions on a few issues:
1. I will be two blocks from the beach. South Walton has crystal clear water, and sugar white sands. What do you guys think about using natural seawater and white sand harvested from the shallows. Of course I'll have to figure out a way to move that much sand and water two blocks (which may as well be two miles), but at least as far as the sand goes, it might be worth the hassle in money saved, and I wouldn't have to do it all at once.
2. What sort of setup would you recommend? I'm thinking some sort of DIY cannister filter that will give me lots of turnover. I would probably add another small commercial cannister filter with a UV sterilizer inline to kill the bugs.
3. I'm thinking that on a FO tank, I won't need a skimmer. Thoughts?
Anyone doing anything similar to this?
Thanks in advance!
Bill
