Converting to a Reef Tank

[ChrisK]

I have a 75 gallon tank and I am in the process of changing over to a reef system. I just added some fresh live sand yesterday after removing the old coarse crushed coral and my tank is still very cloudy. My only filters are a CPR Bak Pak and a Whisper Power filter. My filter was really full so I changed it this morning. I'm guessing the filter just isn't big enough. Any thoughts?
Thanks
Chris

[davejnz]

Take a look at this thread,if you still have ?'s,just ask.
http://www.captivereefing.com/showthread.php?t=2778

[chrisl1]

I guess the best way to start this off is, what is the goal with this tank you are converting, reef only, reef with fish? You going to keep softies, sps, lps, clams, etc??? Once you know what you want,I'm sure you can get tons of help and recomendations to do it.

[ChrisK]

Thanks for the input. I believe I don't have enough filtering. Any suggestions on what type of filter and pump (submersible)to use to get things under control. Also, how do I size the pump? Is bigger better in terms of GPH. I'm planning on a reef and fish setup with mostly soft corals, mushrooms, etc.

Chris

[chrisl1]

Your live rock and sand bed technically are going to be filtering your water, but for water turnover I believe that around 15 to 20x the tank size is is what alot of people use for a pump. Personally I have a mag 18 on my tank running from my sump. The CPR is rated for 60 gallons, which in general you want a skimmer that is overrated for the tank not under. The whisper is really not going to help much either, water movement thats about it, but not near the amount you'll want.
Are you planning on adding a sump? There are plenty of DIY articles on building one. In all honesty If you have the room, that is what I would do, get a hang on box, or make one, add a sump/refugium, return pump, and a decent skimmer.
We'll cover lighting later on... lol

Chris

[unleashed]

I have a 75 gallon tank and I am in the process of changing over to a reef system. I just added some fresh live sand yesterday after removing the old coarse crushed coral and my tank is still very cloudy. My only filters are a CPR Bak Pak and a Whisper Power filter. My filter was really full so I changed it this morning. I'm guessing the filter just isn't big enough. Any thoughts?
Thanks
Chris just run carbons that will reduce the cloudiness in time but unfortunatly sand just does this.just give it some time.for adint water with sand I alwyas place a bowl on the sand than run the water into the bowl (this stops the stiring effects)

[lReef lKeeper]

chrisl1, nice to see you can step up to the plate while i'm away WORKING and not having time to sit on here all day. LOL

[Fally]

If you are talking about the cloudy water then you will be fine in a couple of days. You don't need to filter that out, it will settle.

[ChrisK]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I have added a sump with a CPR overflow. There is alot of current and no matter how much the bottom gets stirred up it will clear in a few hours.

Chris

[unleashed]

I have a 75 gallon tank and I am in the process of changing over to a reef system. I just added some fresh live sand yesterday after removing the old coarse crushed coral and my tank is still very cloudy. My only filters are a CPR Bak Pak and a Whisper Power filter. My filter was really full so I changed it this morning. I'm guessing the filter just isn't big enough. Any thoughts?
Thanks
Chris i have found IME whisper filters not to be very effective in any size tank i prefer if hang on type the aquaclears they tend to have much better filter media than the whispers do and better water movement.in stores they tend to be somewhat pricy from 70 to 100 bucks but online very inexpencive under 50 i use an aquaclear 110 on my and and a cpr backpack this is an eel tank and can tend to get dirty water very quickly with these 2 filters I can keep the tank clean and excess waste levels in check.enought to keep corals alive and thriving in(which i do) run some carbons on the tank and adjust your powerheads to blow above the sand level this should calm it down a bit

[davejnz]

Hang on,Whisper type filters are practically worthless IMO for a reef tank,they can be modifed and used as a carbon filter but if you have a sump,there's much better ways to DIY carbon filtration.In a reef tank,you do not want to use mechanical filtration(filter pads,sponges,etc.).The only mechanical filtration needed is via protein skimming.CPR backups use strips as a media for bacteria filtration.External bio filters are not needed and often hurt water quality in a reef tank.I would remove these strips and just use it as a protein skimmer until you can find a larger skimmer,more suitable for your 75.If you havn't already,remove your filter pads from your Whisper and just use them for circulation.For a 75,I would recommend a sump pump that will do 750gph after head loss(about 950gph pump).You will also need at least 3(5 would be better) more sources for water movement inside the tank.You can use powerheads to accomplish this.

[chrisl1]

Why would you use carbon as a method of removing the cloudiness? Carbon is used to remove chemical impurities in the water. There is no need to filter out the cloudiness, it will settle on it's own and if you are getting sand storms causing the cloudiness still, move teh water direction so it's not blasting the sand bed.