The Journal Of A Marine Beginner

[sophos9]

Well I've been keeping a planted tropical tank for some time now and its just not cutting it for me so marine is the only option going forward.

The Setup
Juwel RIO 180
Deltec MCE300 protein skimmer
Seio Super Flow Pumps (1 x M620, 1 x M820)
Standard Juwel filter with Rowaphos and Carbon
Standard Juwel heater
Upgraded Juwel High-Lite T5 bar 1 x 45w 15000k and 1 x marine tube
20kg Cured live rock
Aragonite sand
RODI RO-Man 4 stage 50GPD
TAP Marine Salt
Pumps setup for Random Turbulence

The Plan
Initially I'm looking to go FOWLR but followed closely by Reef although this is lighting dependant. I do have 2 x 55w T5 PC's that can go in, will have to wait and see
The layout of rock will form a L-Shape with the base of the 'L' turning at the Juwel filter (thus 1 x stronger pump)

Stock
Currently open to debate, clean up crew could be cleaner shrimp, crabs and stuff
Clown fish (of course), possibly a Lion fish, not much other though (Box fish perhaps?)

Pics
These are a few pics of the setup, no great deal at the mo

 

[shibby]

its looking good! going to be same set up as mine, as im doing a fowlr until i can upgrade my lighting for reef

the lionfish may eat the clown fish ... look into wrasses and dwarf angles im not sure if a boxfish may get too big, i cant remeber there min tank size

look forward to seeing the progress, looks like some good stuff you putting in there particulary those powerheads ! and skimmer. ive heard there very good better then my aquaclear powerheads thats fo sure!

 

[BigC]

Nice start I will follow this in the comming weeks/months. Interesting, I also came from the planted side to marine newbie.
Good luck
Regards
BigC

 

[sophos9]

its looking good! going to be same set up as mine, as im doing a fowlr until i can upgrade my lighting for reef

Cheer mate, have yet to look into what lighting I will need for soft corals

the lionfish may eat the clown fish ... look into wrasses and dwarf angles im not sure if a boxfish may get too big, i cant remeber there min tank size

Really, thats an a$$.... I think the common Lion looks great as a feature fish

look forward to seeing the progress, looks like some good stuff you putting in there particulary those powerheads ! and skimmer. ive heard there very good better then my aquaclear powerheads thats fo sure!

Again, thanks... I've been playing with positioning as the rock formation should create a 'lagoon' area. I can see quite a few swirling vortexs (is that a word?), I'm looking for random turbulence

 

[shibby]

yeh dwarf lion fishies are beautys i wanted one from the start , but ive heard they can hide alot though, and perhaps it may not be able to eat a full grown clownfish but i dont want to take that chance rather go for a nice peaceful set up myself, wrasses and clowns all the way

yeh i think vortex is a word! and i get one you mean sounds like a plan. my aquascaping plan was to well make it stable and thats about as far as my planning got

 

[sophos9]

Nice start I will follow this in the comming weeks/months. Interesting, I also came from the planted side to marine newbie.
Good luck
Regards
BigC

Hi mate, excellent - any help appreciated!

Picking the 20kg of live rock up tomorrow plus some sundries such as marine test kit etc

 

[sophos9]

yeh dwarf lion fishies are beautys i wanted one from the start , but ive heard they can hide alot though, and perhaps it may not be able to eat a full grown clownfish but i dont want to take that chance rather go for a nice peaceful set up myself, wrasses and clowns all the way

yeh i think vortex is a word! and i get one you mean sounds like a plan. my aquascaping plan was to well make it stable and thats about as far as my planning got

Will have a chat with the guys tomorrow, see what they say! After doing a bit of research into current (more important when you have corals) random turbulence seems better than laminar flow or surge

 

[kkyyllee]

too small for a boxfish there cool tho, but random current is better

 

[sophos9]

too small for a boxfish there cool tho, but random current is better

Just looked them up, they grow up to 20inchs -

 

[littleimp]

Most boxfish/cowfish and puffers secrete a high toxic venom when stressed/dying. Enough to destroy the livestock of a whole tank, including live rock in fact!!

Not a fish for the beginner!!

 

[BigC]

I am also looking for 20-30 kgs of live rock (but not just yet) I want to see how much you get for your wad of dosh (in or around £200 for 20kgs)
I also want to see the pics when you have aquascaped. I have no idea of the weight, is it light being porous or heavy.
What colour is the background.
Good thread for the likes of myself.
Regards
BigC

 

[sophos9]

I am also looking for 20-30 kgs of live rock (but not just yet) I want to see how much you get for your wad of dosh (in or around £200 for 20kgs)
I also want to see the pics when you have aquascaped. I have no idea of the weight, is it light being porous or heavy.
Good thread for the likes of myself.
Regards
BigC

I only paid £100 for it :wink: , part of a special deal the LFS done when they had an open day and I have bought all my fish from them... As for amount, depends on what type of rock it is, I believe that Fiji rock weighs more than others?

As soon as the rock is in position I will get a pic up

 

[BigC]

Only 100 squid... ...where are those gift horses.
look forward to seeing the scape.
Regards
BigC

 

[SkiFletch]

Looks good so far Sophos . Can't wait to watch this.

 

[sophos9]

Looks good so far Sophos . Can't wait to watch this.

Hi,

Great stuff, hopefully at the least it can be... erm... entertaining?