Getting started

[SCW963]

Hi everyone, I am getting started again after a fifteen year hiatus from saltwater. I have a 90 gallon tank and used to run an Eheim & Magnum fitration systems on it.
With all the changes in technology, does anyone have any suggestions as to what I need to setup my tank again? (filters; live rock; fish; etc...)

Thanks,

Stan

[btacker]

That depends on if you are doing a reef with corals or a fish only tank.

[wkopplin]

Lots of live rock and a really good protein skimmer. Matt builds a nice unit (he is a member of the forum). Eheims and magnums are good to run carbon, but tend to build up nitrates when used as primary filtration.

Do some research on the benefits of using a refugium on your tank. If you are in San Antonio, you are welcome to come over and check out my system. I have just about everything you can put on a reef tank. You can still come over if you are not in SA, but it is a longer drive. ;)

We are holding the MAAST meeting at my house on August 22nd, but you are welcome to look at it before then. Just send me a message through the boards and let me know.

Welcome to MAAST.

[SCW963]

Thanks, I would like to see your tank and maybe get a few ideas on the different filters. The tank will primarily be fish. Can you have live rock and fish?
I will try to attend the meeting on Aug. 22. Just need an address and time.
I live in SA by Huebner & I-10.

What is a refugium and who is Matt? How much does Matt charge for making a filter and how much maintenance does it need?

Thanks again,

Stan

[BA]

Hey stan ur welcome to take a look at my set-up as well, i live off of I-10 and Dezavala, but if it was my choice, i would go to Blake's if you can, his set-up is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
matt is a memeber here who builds HUGE monster protein skimmer, very well built...Dan makes wet/drys (filters) PM both of them a

[BA]

as for pricing you would have to PM Matt and Dan and ask, but both of their products are well worth it..

[btacker]

The tank will primarily be fish. Can you have live rock and fish?

Yes you can. Depending on the type of fish you choose, you can have corals also. You just have to make sure that the fish are reef safe. Puffers, some Triggers, Lion fish are not reef safe... but clowns, damsals, and dwarf angels are. It depends on what you are looking for.


What is a refugium and who is Matt?
A refugium is an area of your sump or a hang on that contains macro algea ( plants ). These plants suck out unwanted nutrients from the water to help you out as a filter. Some people run refugiums and skip the skimmer, but it seems that using both is the prefered method. I personally run both. You may only need a skimmer if you are really doing a fish only tank.


How much does Matt charge for making a filter and how much maintenance does it need?

Matt builds great stuff. Usually you have to empty a skimmer cup once a week. Depends on the load of the tank.

Here are some acronyms that may help you out:
FO - Fish Only
FOWLR - Fish Only with Live Rock

Personally, on a 90 gallon, I would ditch what you have ( the canister filters) and get a sump / refugium. I then would put a skimmer down there by/in the sump. Then, I would put some live rock in the tank. Live rock acts like a filter because it is porus. Just be sure that you have a high enough turn over in the tank.... somewhere in the neighborhood of 15x. So on a 90 gallon tank your looking at around 1350 gph.

I hope all this helps. I'm still new... but one lesson I have learned is don't buy cheap... you will regret it.

[wkopplin]

I hope all this helps. I'm still new... but one lesson I have learned is don't buy cheap... you will regret it.

He could not be more right. Matt's skimmers are around what you would pay for a skimmer you would buy online (a good skimmer, not one of the cheapos). Send me a PM (private message) and I will give you directions to check it out.

Do lots and lots of research as to what type of tank you want. Feel free to ask as many questions as you want along the way.

[pilot_bell777]

and my favorite saying in this hobby is the only thing that happens fast is failure!

[MikeP]

Keep the magnum around. You can either use them to run carbon in periodically or fill the trays with liverock rubble like I do and use for water circulation / filtration. Using any kind of floss material will lead to a nitrate buildup.

My first saltwater tank almost 20 years ago was run by a giant magnum filter :)

[wkopplin]

Some parts of my system are simple. Like the, uhhhhh, ummmmm, hmmmm, well, I cannot think of one right now, but I will.

[brewercm]

Some parts of my system are simple. Like the, uhhhhh, ummmmm, hmmmm, well, I cannot think of one right now, but I will.

How about, it uses salt water. :-D

[wkopplin]

Ahhhh, yes, it does use saltwater. hehe. I also use sand.

[scuba_steveo]

DO NOT GO SEE BLAKE'S SET UP. I DID AND NOW I HAVE A 200 DOLLAR A MONTH INCREASE IN MY ELECTRIC BILL!
It really is the model to build after. That's what I just did. You can come check out mine too sice you are in the area. I am at Huebner and NW Military. I am still curing rock but the system is up and running. I still have to set up the calcium reactor and the computer system and the RO/DI topoff but I have time for all that.

[wkopplin]

I just plugged everything into my neighbor's outlets. :grin: