New to Saltwater. Have a few questions

[JoeGnallPA]

I've been wanting to get into salt and reef now for about 3 years. I was going to jump in and do a 55 gallon, but plans, and finances took those plans out of the window, and have a low tech, dirted planted 55 gallon now.. Long story short, a friend at work, had a old JBJ Nano DX laying around, that blew its transformer and ballast and he gave it to me....

 

His loss, my gain...

 

I have cleaned and disinfected the tank with a 1:1 of white vinegar, and plain tap water, and have rinsed tank 10 times, and left to dry. Also did this to the once live rock, but now very dead rock, when tank crashed, he just pulled out all the dead stuff, and let it soak in water (bad idea). The rock is now, nice white, and nothing on it, been throughly rinsed, and went for 5 soaks, fresh daily changes, with circulation, and has been drying now for 3 weeks in the sun.

 

Just thinking I'm going to go get new base dry rock, and a nice chunck of LR from my LFS, along with live sand.

 

I will be doing a fishless cycle.. Only way to go, in my opinion and experiences with freshwater over my years.

 

 

So I have still been doing research, and have a few questions, that I just can't seem to get answers to, or am confused about. The hood has been removed, and made a custom screen top.

 

1. The stock pump is a 160gph. This puts me roughly at 17x turnover rate. My understanding, this should be more than sufficent for some zoa's and maybe a xenia or two... Is this correct?

 

2. Filtration... carbon and purigen with a sponge and filter floss in the first chamber? Perferably a media rack perhaps?

 

3. To sklm or not skim, that is the question.. Highly debated subject.. 9g, most everything will be taken care of with weekly 2.5g to 3g water changes... and more than likely bi weekly filter rinse outs in saltwater.

 

4. Don't believe it will be worth time and effort to modify second chamber into a mini refugium.. space, and way water flows from first to second chamber.....

 

5. Lighting.. I have it narrowed down to 2 choices.. Maxspect R420R Razor 70w 15k Nano model, or the Kessil A160we... Any experience, or any pros cons to either of those..

 

6. Substrate, thinking a fine grain, live sand.. with being only 1-2" deep. I don't believe a DSB will be very effective in such a small footprint, and bring about problems in the future.

 

 

Thank you very much for all your time, and input. I greatly appreciate it!

 

-Joe

[RG Rude]

I have a partial comment from the perspective of a BC8 owner. I don't like the sponges and threw mine out. I use floss, Purigen and Chemipure Blue. I don't use a skimmer either. Just once a week 1/2 gallon water change. Whatever you do use RO/DI water. I also use a 160 gph return. I am currently upgrading my lights to LED on this tank and went with this;

 

http://www.rapidled.com/solderless-biocube-8-retrofit-kit-non-dimmable/

 

I have a Kessil 150W on my 29 gal. and really like that light but I have no SPS.

[seabass]

Hey Joe, welcome to N-R.com.

1. The stock pump is a 160gph. This puts me roughly at 17x turnover rate. My understanding, this should be more than sufficent for some zoa's and maybe a xenia or two... Is this correct?

Yeah. It's on the low side, but should be alright. You might want to think about adding an inexpensive Koralia powerhead in the display.

2. Filtration... carbon and purigen with a sponge and filter floss in the first chamber? Perferably a media rack perhaps?

An inTank media basket is a good idea. Like RG stated, I'd probably remove the sponge and just keep the floss clean.

3. To sklm or not skim, that is the question.. Highly debated subject.. 9g, most everything will be taken care of with weekly 2.5g to 3g water changes... and more than likely bi weekly filter rinse outs in saltwater.

You can certainly do it without a protein skimmer (especially with your water change schedule).

4. Don't believe it will be worth time and effort to modify second chamber into a mini refugium.. space, and way water flows from first to second chamber.....

I agree, it would kind of small; but you could always do it later if you wished.

5. Lighting.. I have it narrowed down to 2 choices.. Maxspect R420R Razor 70w 15k Nano model, or the Kessil A160we... Any experience, or any pros cons to either of those..

For your current coral list, any decent reef light should be fine.

6. Substrate, thinking a fine grain, live sand.. with being only 1-2" deep. I don't believe a DSB will be very effective in such a small footprint, and bring about problems in the future.

I'd keep it to an inch or less. This way your cleanup crew can usually keep it oxygenated.

[JoeGnallPA]

Thanks for all the replies so far.

[Gooburz]

I'd go with the Kessil 160we if you want to spend the money, if not i'd get a Coral Compulsion PAR38 bulb which would be more than sufficent to grow anything as well and save you about $100.