Info

[G7EG]

Hi all,

I went to my local FS today and they said I need to purchase the following (and keep what I already have) to change from my tropical tank to a marine tank.

Can you all confirm this is correct and also where I have stated a (not sure) confirm what this is for and what I do with it.... Thanks alot guys.

* 1x Aquablu light unit - I need to add this light somehow has my current tank only has 1 fitting, is this possible? although I did see a new raised light i can get that fits to the top of the tank (with x2 bulbs) but then I wouldn't have a hood, is this normal and ok?

* Reflectors

* 1x Fluval 305 External Filter (not sure what this is for or what it does?)
* 1x 8w TMC UV Stereliser (again not sure)
* 2x Coral Sand (4kg)
* 1x 6.8kg Coral Marine or Live Rock (I will be going live rock only route)
* 1x Hydrometer (not sure on what this is for)
* API Saltwater Test

Is there anything else guys or is this it ?

He said I could keep my current pump in the tank (jewel) Do i also keep and leave all the filter pads ?

Cheers guys, any help or links would be great

 

[@ombomb]

Well the majority of the questions depend on the size of the tank...

* 1x Aquablu light unit - If you want to keep corals you will need high WPG and actinic lighting and white lighting around 10000K
* Reflectors - Good idea to maximise lighting
* 1x Fluval 305 External Filter - It's a filter... fill it with live rock
* 1x 8w TMC UV Stereliser (again not sure) - Depends on tank size
* 2x Coral Sand (4kg) - Best to go with aragonite sand
* 1x 6.8kg Coral Marine or Live Rock - You will need a minimum of 1 lb of live rock for every gallon of water in the tank
* 1x Hydrometer - tests the salinity of the water, a refractometer would be better
* API Saltwater Test - Contains test for nitrate, nitrite, ammonia and pH - essential

Also:

A protein skimmer - improves water quality (depending on tank size)
Powerhead(s) - water movement (ideally 20x turnover or more per hour if you're keeping corals)
Marine salt - ...salt
Source of Reverse Osmosis water - tap water in marine tanks is VERY risky, buying an RO unit is the best option
Time, patience and research - Spend as much time as you can planning and researching your tank!

In terms of your current tank, I'd be tempted to start from scratch and buy a new one, compared to the overall cost of a marine tank, the tank itself is only a small cost. If you are definitely going to use the old tank, you need to be sure that no copper based medications have been used in it in the past. Copper is very dangerous to marine life, invertibrates and corals especially and if used in the tank will have leeched into the silicone. If you keep the tank, take out the filter pads and fill it with live rock instead of mechanical filter media which will just produce nitrates.

Good luck!

 

[petey Z]

how can u fill a fluval with live rock, it wont get any light, or does it not matter?

 

[@ombomb]

The bacteria that live in the rock don't need light, they just need a source of ammonia.

 

[Aquascaper]

Couldn't have answered that better myself @ombomb

G7EG: we really could do with knowing what size tank you have to best tailor the answers

 

[petey Z]

wait then how do they get the ammonia?

from the fish waste and left over food that gets sucked in the filter? am i right

i just want to understand this because i have a fluval and may consider doing the same thing.

 

[G7EG]

Thanks for the replies guys

To answer the question its a 3foot tank, it has the normal jewel pump, heater and pads all compact in the right hand side of the tank, does this all stay together then or do i fill this with live rock remove the pads and just keep the heater / pump working ??

So what do they mean with regards to the external filter ? Obviously external (outside tank?) but what exactly for?

Sorry for sounding silly guys but really trying to get all the possible answers!

Also with regards to the lighting look slike i need just the normal white and blue light as I wont be keeping the live coral just the rock. Problem is my current hood only has 1 bulb fitment, is it easy to add anotehr one or should i get that raised light fitment (x2 bulbs) that just goes above tank, with this though you dont have a lid, is this normal and safe?

Cheers

 

[SkiFletch]

If you're going fish only, you really just need enough lighting to make your tank bright enough for your own viewing pleasure. That could be 1 tube, or it could be 4, you get to make that call

I assume that with a 3 foot tank you're somewheres around 30 gallon capacity? If that's the case, dont use the external filter and spend your $$ on more LR. Go for about 15 kg's of it and put in a powerhead in the tank. The LR will be your source of filtration. External or canister filters when filled with floss or other similar type media will process amonia and nitrite, but will not be able to process nitrates and will lead to quite the buildup of those. Only LR and plants can process nitrates, so spend your money there instead of on a hampered canister filter.

Also, most nano users (30 gal and less) here will reccomend not using a UV sterilizer and concentrate on good water husbandry techniques instead.