Want To Start A Marine Tank Need A Little Help

[fish_lover09]

hello

i recenly started thinking about starting a marine tank but not sure what i need. I know that i need a filter (skimmer) and a pump but i was reading about a sump and aint to sure if i need one my tank is a 90 litre and do i need to hide all the equipment or can i just leave it showing in the tank

thanks in advance

 

[parker313]

For starters, I would recommend that you start with this FAQ thread in the nano reef section. There is a whole wealth of information about the hardware you will need, what's available, how to set up a reef tank and what your livestock options are.

Good luck, it's lots of fun!

 

[fish_lover09]

For starters, I would recommend that you start with this FAQ thread in the nano reef section. There is a whole wealth of information about the hardware you will need, what's available, how to set up a reef tank and what your livestock options are.

Good luck, it's lots of fun!

aww thanks for this mate really helped me just one more thing i dont really understand the filter bit can i use a fluval 3 plus filter in the tank with live rock to filter the water or will the salt particles destroy it

 

[-Nemo-]

For starters, I would recommend that you start with this FAQ thread in the nano reef section. There is a whole wealth of information about the hardware you will need, what's available, how to set up a reef tank and what your livestock options are.

Good luck, it's lots of fun!

aww thanks for this mate really helped me just one more thing i dont really understand the filter bit can i use a fluval 3 plus filter in the tank with live rock to filter the water or will the salt particles destroy it

I wouldn't bother with the fluval, it won't be helping too much. Instead look at a protein skimmer, it does a completely different job.

 

[parker313]

Right - in a live rock tank, the live rock will provide your biological filtration.

 

[fish_lover09]

Right - in a live rock tank, the live rock will provide your biological filtration.

thanks for the help everyone so all i need to do is get a protien skimmer and the live rock will do the same job that fluval does one more thing do all live rock provide a biological filter or if there certain ones i would need and whats a good size protien skimmer to use for a 90 litre

thanks again for all ya help

 

[-Nemo-]

As long as it's actual live rock, it will all do the same job. You will want cured live rock. Cured LR can be distinguished mostly by it's color. It will covered in coralline algae growth, so it should be purple, red and/or orange.

 

[fish_lover09]

As long as it's actual live rock, it will all do the same job. You will want cured live rock. Cured LR can be distinguished mostly by it's color. It will covered in coralline algae growth, so it should be purple, red and/or orange.

thanks mate most helpful. do u know if a 150L/H protine filter is the right size for my 90 litre and once i got one can i start and i herd i might need a uv strilizer and a sump but i havent seen any real information on the subject i read on a website about its just a con by the LFS to get more money and not of real importance and the sump if just to hide everything away

thanks

 

[ballo1000]

As long as it's actual live rock, it will all do the same job. You will want cured live rock. Cured LR can be distinguished mostly by it's color. It will covered in coralline algae growth, so it should be purple, red and/or orange.

Not to mention the smell of uncured rock. If your lfs ets you smell the rock it will smell awfull if uncured. A good place to look is ebay, I have 60kg of good quality rock in my 5x2x2 that would have cost at least £700 in a shop, I paid £150, plus i am not aiding to the harvesting from the seas. Just be carefull to look for nasties but there are ways round those. On the skimmer front go for the best you can afford, deltec do some good compact models.

 

[parker313]

You definitely don't NEED a UV Sterilizer or a sump. Sure, they are beneficial but not necessary. I am not familiar with that skimmer... You can add a UV Sterilizer or a sump down the road if you want to. If initial start up cost is an issue, skip the sump for now. If it's not an issue, you can go ahead and start with a sump now just so you have everything going from the start.

 

[fish_lover09]

thanks for all your help everyone i still a bit confussed on what sort of skimmer to get but but i aint got a great deal of money to spend on it was wondeing if this is any good
http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/High-Quality-Marine-Aquarium-Protein-Skimmer-NEW_W0QQitemZ380114643717QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Pet_Supplies_Fish?hash=item5880992b05

thanks again

 

[ballo1000]

thanks for all your help everyone i still a bit confussed on what sort of skimmer to get but but i aint got a great deal of money to spend on it was wondeing if this is any good
http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/High-Quality-Marine-Aquarium-Protein-Skimmer-NEW_W0QQitemZ380114643717QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Pet_Supplies_Fish?hash=item5880992b05

thanks again

No. you would be better with something like this http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/TMC-V2-SKIM-120-NANO-SKIMMER-FOR-MARINE-REEF-CORALS_W0QQitemZ200349323038QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Pet_Supplies_Fish?hash=item2ea5c00f1e I know it is alot more but tmc are generally good, you have after sales and parts are readily available. aquamedic do a hang on skimmer, bioflotor i think, that is okay, I really wouldn't skimp on the skimmer as said before you can add further filtration/sump later.

 

[ballo1000]

Close it is called a biostar flotor http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/TMC-V2-SKIM-120-NANO-SKIMMER-FOR-MARINE-REEF-CORALS_W0QQitemZ200349323038QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Pet_Supplies_Fish?hash=item2ea5c00f1e. This has a small wheel that acts as mechanical filtration aswell if memory serves.

 

[fish_lover09]

Close it is called a biostar flotor http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/TMC-V2-SKIM-120-NANO-SKIMMER-FOR-MARINE-REEF-CORALS_W0QQitemZ200349323038QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Pet_Supplies_Fish?hash=item2ea5c00f1e. This has a small wheel that acts as mechanical filtration aswell if memory serves.

cheers for that mate i had a look and that is not a bad price i did find this one as well and was wonderinf if it any good it is a TMC V2 Skim 400 Complete Main Body
http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/TMC-V2-Skim-400-Complete-Main-Body-Brand-New_W0QQitemZ150403556706QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Pet_Supplies_Fish?hash=item2304c02562

and live coral what sort of lighting do they need to servive just a standard white light?

 

[ballo1000]

Close it is called a biostar flotor http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/TMC-V2-SKIM-120-NANO-SKIMMER-FOR-MARINE-REEF-CORALS_W0QQitemZ200349323038QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Pet_Supplies_Fish?hash=item2ea5c00f1e. This has a small wheel that acts as mechanical filtration aswell if memory serves.

cheers for that mate i had a look and that is not a bad price i did find this one as well and was wonderinf if it any good it is a TMC V2 Skim 400 Complete Main Body
http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/TMC-V2-Skim-400-Complete-Main-Body-Brand-New_W0QQitemZ150403556706QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Pet_Supplies_Fish?hash=item2304c02562

and live coral what sort of lighting do they need to servive just a standard white light?

That is a good skimmer but it is just for the main body, no pump attached so you will need to purchase this seperately. You can do it with a marine white (T8 or T5) tank depth depending, for soft corals. Stonies normally require higher light output but this varies from species to species, some dont like light. I would start with soft as easier to maintain on the whole.