Planing for a new SW Tank

[Ramzi]

Hi All,
i just want to firstly thank you all for this great forum. got me addicted

ever since i was a kid i wanted to have an aquarium, and now i think i am finally ready ( i had a few fresh water ready-to-use aquariums with goldfish in it.

i went to the local pet stores in Dubai and saw the type of fresh water fish, i was rather disappointed at the fish that they have (limited to various goldfish), to add to this, we have no rivers in UAE that means i cant just go fishing and get them. But we do face the Gulf/Persian Sea.

So i decided to work on a DIY project of a saltwater fish tank.

i have decided to build my own tank 120-130g.

i have read many posts and articles on saltwater fish-keeping and i have a few questions.

1) can i get water from the sea ?
2) can i get rocks / reef from the sea?
3) can i use fresh water filtration methods on this tank? (the one with bio-balls, ceramic tubes, active carbon?
4) when changing water as per the maintenance plan should i get water from the sea again ? or can i use tap water?
5) will some one guide me step by step answer my questions as i go through the process?


i dont know if it will be appropriate for me to post the largest salt water fish tank in the middle east located at Dubai Mall. in this section but i ll just do it for the sake of it and showing you what inspired me to do this project.

Regards
Ramzi Chekkath

 

[Ramzi]

here are the pics i promised

 

[Otto_VonBacon]

1) can i get water from the sea ?
It's not Recommended
2) can i get rocks / reef from the sea?
This may not be legal, so I would check the local laws to see if you can. And stay away from beaches. And never use beach sand for your tank as you don't know whats in it. It's not worth the risk. Be sure to cure any rock you collect.
3) can i use fresh water filtration methods on this tank? (the one with bio-balls, ceramic tubes, active carbon?
Personally, I prefer sumps. But you can use canister filters on saltwater tanks.
4) when changing water as per the maintenance plan should i get water from the sea again ? or can i use tap water?
RO/DI water would be the best option, if you don't have that i guess you would have to settle for dechlorinated tap water.I don't know how the water is there so you might want to check with the water provider.
5) will some one guide me step by step answer my questions as i go through the process?
We got alot of helpful people on the Marine section that will be glad to answer any questions you have.

Welcome and good luck!

 

[Ramzi]

thank you for the reply.

1) ok no sea water.
2) it is legal as long as its for personal use ( no special equipment should be used to extract the rock)
3) don't canisters mimic sumps? i personally would love to build the sump but im afraid of it getting messy, but i will be hunting around for blueprints of sumps.
4) RO/DI is not an option at the moment ( not a budget issue, more like getting in this part of the world is extremely difficult)
5) i realised that there are alot of good hearted people on this forum the moment i clicked in.

6) can you explain to me what is the exact function of a RO/DI?
if i dont use a RO/DI how will i make the tap water salty ? ( i will bd ashamed of myself if your answer is like add some kitchen salt )



thank you alot once again. i will be starting my project some where by the end of this month... i will let you know on the progress.

 

[Ramzi]

oh more questions. about live rocks.

when u say live rocks, you mean this will be the medium where the bacteria for filtration live on right?

the other thing... i just let the live rock cure... and then do the coral start growing on them ? how does it work ? should i like buy the coral seprate like i buy the fish?

again i am so ashamed of not knowing and being a total newbie to this, but i want to know about everything before i start doing anything.


PS. i am reading a book right ( Michael S. Paletta's The New Marine Aquarium) i cant remember who referred it but to who ever did refer it... thank you )

 

[Ramzi]

thank you for the reply.



6) can you explain to me what is the exact function of a RO/DI?
if i dont use a RO/DI how will i make the tap water salty ? ( i will bd ashamed of myself if your answer is like add some kitchen salt )

never mind thins question got the answer

 

[Otto_VonBacon]

thank you for the reply.

1) ok no sea water.
2) it is legal as long as its for personal use ( no special equipment should be used to extract the rock)
3) don't canisters mimic sumps? i personally would love to build the sump but im afraid of it getting messy, but i will be hunting around for blueprints of sumps.
Not to sure on details, but I sometimes hear people having problems with canisters on reefs.
4) RO/DI is not an option at the moment ( not a budget issue, more like getting in this part of the world is extremely difficult)
5) i realised that there are alot of good hearted people on this forum the moment i clicked in.

6) can you explain to me what is the exact function of a RO/DI?
if i dont use a RO/DI how will i make the tap water salty ? ( i will bd ashamed of myself if your answer is like add some kitchen salt )



thank you alot once again. i will be starting my project some where by the end of this month... i will let you know on the progress.

oh more questions. about live rocks.

when u say live rocks, you mean this will be the medium where the bacteria for filtration live on right?
Pretty much, yeah. Live Rock is what makes up the rocky part of the "reef"

the other thing... i just let the live rock cure... and then do the coral start growing on them ? how does it work ? should i like buy the coral seprate like i buy the fish?
You have to buy corals. If you're lucky some things may start to grow on it like sponges and such. Once you get corals in the tank they may start to reproduce and spread.

again i am so ashamed of not knowing and being a total newbie to this, but i want to know about everything before i start doing anything.
Nothing to be ashamed about, we were all noobs and one point.

PS. i am reading a book right ( Michael S. Paletta's The New Marine Aquarium) i cant remember who referred it but to who ever did refer it... thank you )
Probably Mr.Reef24

About that ocean water thing. I may be wrong, you may want to check with some other people about using ocean water. I have seen some jugs of ocean water being sold at the store.

 

[Ramzi]

You have to buy corals. If you're lucky some things may start to grow on it like sponges and such. Once you get corals in the tank they may start to reproduce and spread.

i dont think they would have corals here in this stupid country for sale, i was planning to go saltwater fishing and get some fish with small hooks and use them to stock the tank. but now i will have to ask a friend that goes scuba diving to help.

 

[Otto_VonBacon]

You have to buy corals. If you're lucky some things may start to grow on it like sponges and such. Once you get corals in the tank they may start to reproduce and spread.

i dont think they would have corals here in this stupid country for sale, i was planning to go saltwater fishing and get some fish with small hooks and use them to stock the tank. but now i will have to ask a friend that goes scuba diving to help.

Dubai is one of the better cities in the middle east, I don't see why they wouldn't have a big fish store.

Apparently, Wonder Sea Fish is the biggest fish store in the UAE.

 

[mr.reef24]

first welcome to the saltwater part of the hobby Dubai is a gorgeous country would love to visit sometime. Here is some replies to your question's

1) can i get water from the sea ?
Usually not recommended due to pollutants, parasites, and chemical's

2) can i get rocks / reef from the sea?
Would check to see your local law's on that before you do so you don't get a fine or arrested, etc...
3) can i use fresh water filtration methods on this tank? (the one with bio-balls, ceramic tubes, active carbon?
yes biological filtration is a great way to reduce nitrates and ammonia, activated carbon will keep the yellowish tint outta your tank and polish the water
4) when changing water as per the maintenance plan should i get water from the sea again ? or can i use tap water?
If you have access to a RO/DI unit you can make your water to mix with a salt mix for your replacement water. Or your area may have a company that filter's ocean water to make it safe for Saltwater tanks.
5) will some one guide me step by step answer my questions as i go through the process?
Would love to help you any way I can just send me a Private Message with your question's and i'll find you the answer and steer you through the process.'


mr.reef24