Starting up again, need a refresher!

[Ocho Cinco]

Hi, I have had saltwater tanks for the past 7 years and am planning on starting up again. For the past year or so I have just had a small pico and thats been it. I recently moved into a place of my own and want to start a big (appx 150 gallons) fish only tank. After looking at some sites again I realized I have forgot so much. I once knew my fair share but now feel out of the loop. I'm just looking for any suggestion on must haves/must do's to get this tank started on the right foot. Here are my plans so far: the tanks i'm looking at are from 125 gallons and up. I'm going to do a fish only type set up with LR. I have always done reefs before so fish only will be totally different for me. Eventually I think I will do a smaller reef but this is my first project. Any info on filtration, lighting, skimmers, etc would be great. Also, I'm unsure what to do in terms of water in's and out's. Drill? Overflow? How large? Thanks in advance!!!!

[Tankster]

go with a cube if it fits your space.

[Chris]

Obviously go as big, and long as your space and budget will allow, it will save you money in the long run.... Big long tank allows for strong swimming fish like tangs, angels, triggers to all properly have the room they need! I think a 6' 150-180 is the best smaller sized tank for a good FOWLR if you want to really enjoy your fish, again tho bigger is definitely better especially with larger more territorial fish generally found in FOWLR tanks.

Drilled w/ overflow + sump and a large good skiimer are pretty much required with FOWLR tanks because usually they r bigger messier fish.

Lighting you can do just about any light you want doesnt have to be great as long as you can see the fish, but you could still go leds and never worry about bulbs, and use less energy!

Skimmer I would look at the Reef Octopus Extreme line, but there are others and some are better probably but the octo will get it done and are a kind of in the middle price wise. Look for something rated for atleast twice the size of your system.

[Ocho Cinco]

Originally Posted by chort55

Obviously go as big, and long as your space and budget will allow, it will save you money in the long run.... Big long tank allows for strong swimming fish like tangs, angels, triggers to all properly have the room they need! I think a 6' 150-180 is the best smaller sized tank for a good FOWLR if you want to really enjoy your fish, again tho bigger is definitely better especially with larger more territorial fish generally found in FOWLR tanks.

Drilled w/ overflow + sump and a large good skiimer are pretty much required with FOWLR tanks because usually they r bigger messier fish.

Lighting you can do just about any light you want doesnt have to be great as long as you can see the fish, but you could still go leds and never worry about bulbs, and use less energy!

Skimmer I would look at the Reef Octopus Extreme line, but there are others and some are better probably but the octo will get it done and are a kind of in the middle price wise. Look for something rated for atleast twice the size of your system.

Ok thanks. One I'm looking at is 150 and the other 125. How exactly should I set up the drain and water into the tank? I know there are many ways. What all should the sump consist of?

[Heidi]

Your overflow location and your return/returns depend on the size of tank. I have a 150 cube so I have mine in the corner (it is drilled in the bottom corner) 2 holes only one return, one drain. If you are looking at a long tank you may want to do 2 returns and one or 2 drains. Some folks who don't want a bunch of power heads in the tank like to drill the back in a couple places and have a powerful external pump split the work thats called "closed loop" (search it tons of info im sure) Otherwise what I like is a slower flowing sump. I only have a quite one 1400 as my return and so my drain water (splits into 2 chambers refugium, and skimmer) and chills in the sump for a bit longer, giving it time to skim more and chill in my fuge growing my cheato. I rock a super reef octopus 3000 (LOVE it.) with the bubble blaster pump, and I have a lot of pooping fish and keep SPS so I can vouch for how awesome this skimmer works. I love starting tanks with the MB7 (nitrifying bacteria stuff from brightwell) Of another little thing I would never be with out is silly but it is one of those ammonia instant alert things you hang in your sump and keep for 3 months. I think that would be a big deal for fish only tanks cause you can let them get dirtier to a point but want to be in the know right away if you get a little ammonia spike. I feel like I am rambling but didn't really know where to start make sure you draw and plan out your sump how you want it... perfectly... plan your plumbing at the same time. There are formulas out there that help you determine what size overflow box and holes to drill... how deep to make your sump... set your baffles etc. You are doing the best thing asking questions and reading a ton. Hope we can help!!

Heidi

[Chris]

I would try to find one that is already drilled and has an overflow box in it. Location is pretty much personal preferance, or if buying used simply where its located in one you can find in the size u want! I like a center overflow personally, just kind of seems more efficient to me, and the way my system is set up it works for me. The returns are also going to be your personal preference and depend on how you want your flow. For the most part I agree with heidi, longer tanks you normally would go with 2 returns, one on each end.... my current set up i did a little different and have one on one end and just run more through it, which basically replaced a powerhead on that end, if I went with 2 I would have had to use a larger pump or used another powerhead or 2 which would have used even more electricity.

Are you planning to have your sump in the stand or in a fishroom behind the tank or the basement below the tank? there are alot of ways of setting it up but if we have a better idea of your setup it makes it a little easier to know what is possible.... I have a fishroom with my 180g display setup in-wall. So for me, it was a simple sump, I dropped a 100g rubbermaid in place, divided it off with a piece of eggcrate and presto instant sump with a good amount of added water volume! But regardless u will want a chamber for your skimmer and return pump.... Some people do a dedicated fuge in another tank/rubbermaid, if you can do this its not a bad idea, but if not you will want to make sure you have an area for a fuge in your sump/rubbermaid! There are a ton of different ways to do it and plans for it all over the internet and even on here that you should be able to find pretty easily through a simple search.

Also, as Heidi mentioned, closed loops are common and quite nice on larger tanks.... but they also have their drawlbacks as they are more holes drilled into the tank, so more spots for potential leaks, cracks/breaks, and generally a closed loop pump uses more electricity then a few powerheads would have..... If you can spring the $$ your best bet for intank flow is a MP40 or 2, but they aren't cheap, but they are effective and the best solution IMO (hopefully someday I will be able to spring for a set myself lol).

Goodluck and your on the right track coming here and asking questions, never be afraid to ask!

[Ocho Cinco]

Thank you both for the input. It looks like I will be picking up a 150 gallon with stand and canopy on Sunday. It's not drilled so I have to get that done. Are the holes usually drilled in the back? So like one in the middle with a overflow box and 1 or 2 in the corners. The sump will go in the stand. I'm not sure whay my choices are with that and what will fit in the stand. I'm assuming it will be a slow process getting equiptment a little at a time. If you know anyone who has some used stuff let me know. Oh, what about a UV sterlizer?

[Chris]

Since it is not drilled already its really your call as to the location of the overflow. I would suggest 2 drains atleast either way, but you can do either 2 in the middle or one (or even 2 for redundancy) in each corner.... or even just 2 in one corner, but if its a 6' 150 I would suggest either middle or both ends..... You do not have to (and I wouldnt recommend it) drill for the returns.

As far as the sump goes, you will want to figure out what size you tank you can fit into the stand and still have room to work, and even be able to get it in and out with the display inplace, as well as be able to get the skimmer in and out if needed! Probably going to be looking around a 50g breeder, but may be able to get something a little bigger in the stand depending on height and positioning of door(s) and upright supports. I would suggest the typical 3 spot sump, 1st being your input from the drains of the display (some put their chaeto in here, or a filter sock), skimmer, return (some flip the skimmer and chaeto/fuge location also.... your call) I like the chaeto 1st but IMO it doesnt really matter much.

Most people don't use uv because its believed that they aren't worth it because they also kill good bacteria. With a proper qt, you shouldnt really need one anyways. Im not totally against them, they have their benefits, but I personally haven't felt the need for one on any of my tanks, nor have I ever ran one on any of my systems. Some people just run them when they notice an issue or have an outbreak of ich, but again that kind of goes back to the if u have a proper qt, you dont really need one.

Also, you can post a WTB thread for the equipment you want/ need!

[Ocho Cinco]

Might be a dumb question but, what do you mean by 2 drains? Like 2 holes for one over flow box? Or 2 boxes? Whats the best way to do the returns if not drilling?

[Chris]

Nope thats a pretty good question really..... If you do the center overflow, yes 2 drains in one overflow box, or you could do more even really..... if you do an overflow on each back corner then you can do 1 or 2 holes/drains in 1 box, one in each end should be sufficent but 2 drains in each corner will allow you to run a strong return pump and protect you from a wet floor in the event one of your drains gets plugged/ clogged/ whatever.

also, you may even want to consider another option called the bean (or bean animal) overflow, aka coast to coast overflow.........


Returns are simply just plumbed up over the back of the tank, few different ways to do this also, most put them in the back corners and angle them to the front middle, I like the idea of putting them in the middle and aiming them to the opposite corner which helps fight dead spots a little better IMO, as well as can help with randomizing the flow a little more.... again totally personal preference, like I said I currently on my 6' 180g run 1 return from 1 corner which for me replaced a powerhead, and works for my system and its needs.

If you drill the tank for the return you would have to plumb it to a level higher then the water level of the tank anyways and install a siphon break (drill a small hole in the plumbing above the water line) to prevent draining the tank to the return opening in the event of a power outage or when you power down your return pump. If you plumb it over the edge of the tank you dont have the extra holes in the tank (extra chances for cracks/ leaks...), and are already above the water line with your plumbing, but you still should install a siphon break.