New Marine Setup

[Denmar]

Howdy,
First I apologize if this is a commonly ask set of questions, my attempts at finding the answer were not successful, however that does not mean it isn't there.

I have previously done freshwater setups and have decided that I would like to get into Marine setups. I've gone into a couple of the LFS and of course have ran into some quite different philosophies.

The basics: Looking at doing 75-90 gallon setup, I think fish only, no reef. Always been a huge eel fan, so I would like to get a couple eels in the setup and fill out the tank with some colorful fish, maybe a tang and something else.

1. Filtration/Tank: Wet/Dry Sump (MegaFlow) vs Fluval Canister filter.
2. Protein Skimmer vs none.
3. Lighting upgrades, any of them worth it for FO tank?

I want to make a purchase that positions me the best for the future. One day I may decide to convert this to a reef or reef + fish tank.

 

[BadOleRoss]

If it were me,I would go FOWLR! (Fish Only w/Live Rock) I would add about 75-100lbs of live rock for fitration. I would add a sump and a protien skimmer as well. Doing it this way gives you a good start on your the way to a reef set up. You will be able to cure the live rock in the tank and then cycle the tank. The protien skimmer is must in SW IMO. I want to caution you, a SW set it a lot more expensive to get set up then a FW tank is. You will also want a RO/DI unit and you will need a space for RO water and premixed SW for water changes.

 

[Denmar]

Thanks for the feedback! I have been anticipating a marked increase in cost, and was planning on using Live Rock (still getting use to marine terminology with the FOWLR ). However, I had not figured in that large of an amount of live rock, so that's good to know! The two LFS I have gone into quoted $10 and $12 per pound for their live rock. Should I be looking for a specific type at all? What % of water is typically changed out on a monthly basis for marine tanks?

 

[BadOleRoss]

A good rule of thumb with LR is 1lb per gallon. You can go more or less but its easier to put it all in at one time and get it cured. If you go to add more later you need to cure it in a seperate tank before adding it. I got my rock from Foster and Smith and I believe it was Figi Large Premium Rock...very nice stuff. Cured it in a childs swimming pool but thats another story. I changed about 20% every 2 weeks on my water. I have sent you a link to a thread written by a guy named WaterKeeper. Its great for people just getting into SW.