Thinking About Joining The Dark Side

[diet]

Hi guys N gals

Im thinking about joining u guys on the dark side,
I currently have a rio 180 set up for tropical, i am thinking about converting it to a marine setup.

I have 4 lights on the top (two juwel light units)

What will i need to buy etc to convert this into a marine set up,
Im aware about skimmers etc but i dont think they will sit on the tank right, can you buy an all in one system that does all your skimming etc in a set up below the tank in the stand?

I know i have to buy many power heads but do i basically stick them into the tank on the end of a tube so that it just cycles water around?.

Also any guestimates on setting up this tank not including any fish TY guys!!!!

 

[BigIan]

The most effective method of filtering a marine tank is using whats called the berlin method...
BVasicly your tank is a filter. your bacteria live in the sand and on the rocks, so you move the water around (your aiming for aprox 20 times total tank turnover) so you get no dead spots.
there are many many skimmers that will fit onto all sorts of tanks, try looking at the TMC range great skimmers but a bit noisey.

as for a guess at the cost, its up to you on how much you want to spend. your looking at roughly 150 quid on LR, maybe more, another 30-40 quid on powerheads, 60-160 on a skimmer. and thats all without livestock

 

[boshank23]

for the 180 i would stick to a simple set up. 1st choice of skimmer is the TMC V2 400, it will sit on your tank properly, you may have to cut up the hood a little..

also you will need marine white and marine actinic lights, 2 of each.

just a couple of seio M820 power heads for flow and perhaps a small external filter for running carbon and phos remover.

also its best if you remove the juwel internal filter, more room for rock and fish.......that and the filter foam just collects nitrates.

 

[diet]

The most effective method of filtering a marine tank is using whats called the berlin method...
BVasicly your tank is a filter. your bacteria live in the sand and on the rocks, so you move the water around (your aiming for aprox 20 times total tank turnover) so you get no dead spots.
there are many many skimmers that will fit onto all sorts of tanks, try looking at the TMC range great skimmers but a bit noisey.

as for a guess at the cost, its up to you on how much you want to spend. your looking at roughly 150 quid on LR, maybe more, another 30-40 quid on powerheads, 60-160 on a skimmer. and thats all without livestock

Ty big For the prompt reply. yeah ive priced up the LR whioch comes to £200 for 20kg
I saw a unit yesterday that somethign about having a skimmer built in it looked like something that u would have under neath ur tank poss like a sump.

how about chemicals etc?
and will a normal water test kit be ok?

for the 180 i would stick to a simple set up. 1st choice of skimmer is the TMC V2 400, it will sit on your tank properly, you may have to cut up the hood a little..

also you will need marine white and marine actinic lights, 2 of each.

just a couple of seio M820 power heads for flow and perhaps a small external filter for running carbon and phos remover.

also its best if you remove the juwel internal filter, more room for rock and fish.......that and the filter foam just collects nitrates.

Ty Boshank23.

i will now look up the items u have mentioned.

TY again

 

[boshank23]

no they must be salt water test kits. also try looking for someone breaking down a reef tank thats local, can get it for as little as £5 a kilo.

doing it that way also helps sustain the rock resources from the sea.

 

[diet]

no they must be salt water test kits. also try looking for someone breaking down a reef tank thats local, can get it for as little as £5 a kilo.

doing it that way also helps sustain the rock resources from the sea.

Brilliant idea.

Any good places to look that ur aware of?

 

[boshank23]

try here just go through the ads there are some real bargains to be had here!

 

[diet]

ty again ive got a eheim 2213 classic filter is this ok as a filter for carbon and phoso removal?

 

[boshank23]

yeah ideal really.

 

[Ter]

and as stated before.. but can't be overstated stay away from foam like it was black death
Ter

 

[Redstratplayer1]

Luck Come to the dark side .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................ ......................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................... .... we cookies!