Aaagh! Another newbie!!

Hiya all.

Ok, this is my second post so please be gentle! I’ve been reading up on marine fishkeeping for ages now and have gotten hold of a tank, sump and stand for a really good price I feel I’m ready now to start getting some more kit together and start getting used to spending money

I found this thread really useful
.http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=94383&hl=]

I hope someone can help me too!

The tank is 48”x28”x30”deep (122x71x76cm) 146Imp.Gall, 174US Gall. Or 661 litres.
The sump is 36”x17”x24” deep (91x42x61cm) 53Imp.Gall, 63US Gall. Or 241 litres.

I’m thinking of a marginal reef setup with a protein skimmer and live rock/sand for filtration, the sump was previously used as a refugium.

My first question is about how the calculation of 1.5 to 2lbs per USG is worked out. Ie is it on tank volume or total system volume? As it is I daren’t work out how much I’d need for this size tank

Can any UK members either recommend a good marine stockist near Essex where I can get reasonably priced live rock/sand? My LFS wants £14 per kilo for live rock but doesn’t have any sand. Their range of fish is impressive but equipment-wise they’re a bit disappointing. Perhaps there’s a good mail order company I can use?

I’ll either need to buy a ready made hood or make one myself. I’m pretty good with DIY woodwork, plumbing and electrics so I’m happy to do that, in fact I’d prefer to to be honest.

I’ve read so many different things about pump sizes, skimmer sizes, how much light to have, how many powerheads to use I’m seeing double, can someone please, please give me a definitive answer. Also I guess any brand preferences/recommendations?

Thanks in advance gang

Oh god another one

Only joking mate

Welcome aboard

I would have 0.5kg per (UK)gallon - so in your case around 70 - 80kg

As for LFS in Essex I cant help there as I am a bit to far away (Defo Dont go to the LFS with name of a BIRD , have heard some really bad things)

You could try UDA - for 60kg of Premium Fijian LR they will charge you 8.90 kg (including Carriage)

I have a pdf file on how to make your own LR if you are interested (pm me you email address)

There are other types of rock you can use (as amix with IMO 60% LR)

Also I would give Coral Farm a look as they have some decent Livestock at no bad prices

As for Pumps/Lighting etc.

Lighting

What are you thinking of keeping (coral Wise)

Pumps

Either Tunze Streams or Ocean Runner are my prefered choice - anything IMO by Aquamedic or Deltec gets my vote

What skimmer you think of getting

Any other questions feel free to ask

LOL, I knew I'd get some stick!!

Thanks for the two links, thier rock prices are half that of my LFS (and yes it's the one with the bird in its name )

Coral-wise I'm swamped with information. Really to the point I don't know!! I'd like a bit but I think the reef setup with loads of coral is a bit OTT, I'd prefer more fish/livestock.

Saying that, I'd probably go for some nice T5's so I've the light there if I happen to change my mind!

I've looked at sooooo many skimmers too, again to the point of utter confusion. Various manufacturers say this one is suitable for this size tank (does that include the sump volume) and other 'reefers' say you need one that'll turnover x times the water volume an hour

As I've got the sump I guess it's right I should use it, although SWMBO would prefer it if the tank sat on the nice big sideboard we've got instead of taking up more floor space. I suppose I could go for a syphon type skimmer that hangs off the back instead?

I'm not helping much am I )

I'm not helping much am I

NO but that is your job as a newbie

Will stop being cheeky now ) )

As for Skimmer for you size of tank I would defo go for a Deltec as they are concidered the best (Good old Germans), and go for one taht will cope with the TOTAL VOLUME (Tank & Sump)

If you are getting/using a hood I would recommed T5 Power Compacts Here , or a Luminaire from the same site, both of these are suitable for SOFT easy to keep CORALS


Most sumps sit directly under the main tnak in a cabinet

I would worry about reasearching corals later.

Just to say as well I have visited UDA many times and it is a great shop, I would defo stay away from S*****W Aquatics as they are S**T , absoulty useless moneygrabbers not interested in the quality of live just $$$$$$$$$$$

And as for the LR price at UDA - I have bought LR from UDA and it is very good quality

Coral Garden Aquatics are in Chelmsford Essex I think and are supposed to be very good: http/www.coralgardenaquatics.co.uk

yeah coralgardens are extremely good and very very helpfull

Chac said:

Oh god another one

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Watch it mate, us new boys are ganging up on you

BRING IT ON

Righto gang, thanks for the Chelmsford Aquatics info. I'd found them on the web before, just hadn't noticed the address!! D'oh.

Well we collected the tank and stand this evening, man it's HUGE!

Any recomendations on what to use to give it a damn good clean?

TIA

Excellant

1 step closer

I use warm/hot water

Never any chemicals/soaps

Ok thanks, I'd heard people mention using vinegar to clean the tanks.

The tank and stand in now indoors, picture below, I need some wood for the sump to sit on and then to panel it in so SWMBO stops glaring at me!



Now come the hard/expensive part. As far as I can tell there's no way of adding things one at a time to the setup. I need: RO/DI setup, powerheads, skimmer, lighting, salt and lighting at least before I even think of adding water and rock/sand. That's a lot of money by anyone books

I'm planning to add a 50/50 mix of base and uncured rock with again a 50/50 (max) mix or live and sterile sand. I appreciate this will mean a longer wait before and livestock can be added but I'm happy with that.

I'll start looking for appropriate kit and post it on here for second opinions if that's ok.

Looks good so far. I particularly like tank's the extra depth and width: lots of room for aquascaping.

Ed4567 said:

Looks good so far. I particularly like tank's the extra depth and width: lots of room for aquascaping.

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Thanks Ed4567, it's not a great picture I'm afraid, I should have taken it more to one side to give a better idea of the width/depth.
Never mind there will be plenty more pictures to come!

Remember to take the depth in to concideration when buying lights & placing corals as that is quite a deep tank