My very first SW tank - Equipment suggestion

[Ribossoma]

Hello everyone,

So I'm going to start my own nano reef! I've always had fishes and aquariums in my life and work, but never saltwater. And I always wanted to have one, so... today is the day.

I've read and read lots of topics and sites and info, and have a friend that has a nano too, and asked him tons of questions. And finally went looking for what I should buy...

So, this is probably my setup, didn't buy anything yet. Wanted to hear from you guys first. Any advice is welcome.

My friend is going to offer me the sand, he has a lot of it that din't use. Not going to start with liverock! And will start with the water for his mature aquarium.

Went to the store to order the aquarium and asked for suggestions! Here they are:

Aquarium: Blau Cubic Experience 90L (23g).

Lights: Ocean Revive Arctic-T247-B 120W.

Skimmer: Tunze 9001

Pump: Eheim 1800

Since I'll not have a sump, the skimmer could be quite big for the aquarium and they sugested me a filter (Eheim biopower 1600). Which I am not a fan, since it could be a nitrate trap and would have to clean it regularly. I could go for a Blau Nano Skim, but the size is probably the same... Other sugestion was not put any of these and use the NoPox or Zeovit kit!

The pump, its a small one, that can't be controled/ajusted. Could I buy a bigger one that can be flow ajusted? (like an VorTech MP10, but cheaper!!)

Ligths... I learned that this is going to be the most expensive part of the setup. or not!! It depends on what I want to do. The corals and fishes and stuff! But a this point I don't know what I really want! But if in a year I want to go for SPSs or other thing and need a better lighting system, I already have it.

So, please. Comment!

Thanks!

[Clown79]

Welcome

 

How are you planning to cycle the tank?

 

Are you going to use dry rock and ammonia?

 

The sand won't be enough and reef systems main biological filteration is liverock.

 

An hob filter is fine to use. They aren't nitrate traps if you clean them every mnth or 2. Many use them on their tanks. We often use filter floss replaced 2-3 times a week to remove particles and media of choice(matrix carbon, chemipure blue etc)

 

Essentially hobs and sumps do the same thing, sumps offer a larger volume of water, you can put more things in it but the general job is pulling water from tank to go through various systems and returning the water to tank.

 

Canister filters are nutrient traps they need weekly cleaning.

 

I don't know much about those lights. I would look up reviews on them. Upgrading lighting can get expensive so buying the right one once is a lot easier.

 

I would definitely look up various options for lighting, the reviews, and look up tank pics to see what you like best.

 

Here are a few that are commonly used in various budget brackets

Nanobox

Ai Prime

Kessil

Radions

Aquamaxx

Current Orbit

 

The skimmer is a good one, many recommended.

 

You want a decent powerhead for water movement.

 

Koralia's

Sicce

Jebao's

Tunze

Eheim

 

Are good.

[seabass]

First off,

Not going to start with liverock! And will start with the water for his mature aquarium.

Live rock (or dry rock which is made "live") is the basis for the biological filtration that most of us use. It's also the base for most reef tanks. However, it is possible to have a saltwater tank with other biological media.

I wouldn't use used water. Most of the nitrifying bacteria that you want is on surfaces (like live rock), not in the water column. Used water could be higher in nutrients than you want (which could lead to algae problems).

[Ribossoma]

Hello!

Thank you for your responses!

When I said I won't use live rock, it was, I'm not going to buy it. I will get the dry rock and mature it myself! Sorry for the wrong explanation!

 

The used water was for me to not buy any supplement. If I got distilled water and mix with salt, where the first bacteria come from? If I use "used water" won't it be rich for me to start the cycle/maturation? Your do you recommend that I do my water and buy some supplement?

 

This idea is only to not have some type of unwanted visitors in the aquarium... I've read lots of stories that people bought live rock/sand and... surprise!

 

Do you guys recommend any skimmer hang on skimmer? The Tunze 9001 has lot of good reviews, but it stays inside the aquarium, and occupy space... since I don't have a sump!

 

Thank you for your input!

[seabass]

Given an ammonia source, nitrifying bacteria will find a way to break it down (bacteria is everywhere). And while not necessary, there are a number of bacteria cultures available to speed things along. Used (dirty) water isn't necessary and could actually invite future issues.

 

Here is a guide to build up a biofilter (using dry rock) prior to adding livestock: http://www.drtimsaquatics.com/resources/fishless-cycling

[Clown79]

If using dry rock you will need to start the cycle with ammonia dosing and bacteria dosing like Dr Tim's.

 

I agree, using anothers "dirty" water can invite some unwanted things. Anything from nitrates, phosphates, parasites, etc.

 

I've always use liverock and its my personal preference.

 

There is also rock like Caribsea life rock which has become very popular.

 

https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/cycling-a-saltwater-aquarium/

 

This is a very good article on cycling and the various methods.

I don't use a skimmer. I went hob filter because i like using carbon and other media which as far as i know can't be done with skimmers.

 

Unless things have changed, hang on skimmers will need to have the pump in the tank,

[squamptonbc]

I use the Bubble Magus QQ1 hang on skimmer on my 14 gallon, it's like a HOB filter but a skimmer, takes up little room, doesn't work well if at all with a aquarium with a rim though. Won't fit on my standard 10 gallon with a rim for example.

 

Is it the worlds best skimmer? No.

 

Does it skim after a couple weeks to break in? Yes.

 

For the price it's a decent enough skimmer for a lightly stocked tank.

 

https://reefbuilders.com/2015/10/14/bubble-magus-qq1-hang-nano-skimmer/

 

 

Would not use it on a heavily stocked tank though.

 

I also use a Aqua Clear HOB so I can run some purigen and small amount of carbon.