Kyle's 48" custom

[SHMStrack]

if i pulled all the media out of the wet/dry then what would be the difference between it and a reef sump? sorry for all the noooob like questions, its just that this is a tank i wana do RIGHT haha

[michael_cb_125]

It is the media that causes the nitrate issues. But some wet dry filters will be very loud without the media, as the water will be very noisy.


It is good to ask questions. Ask everything that comes to mind. Asking questions and researching will save you tons of money and heartache in the end.

Plus, we all love helping.

~Michael

[SHMStrack]

ok so in that case ive got a milllion and one questions to be asking!!! i know its a cheapie but the TOM rapids wet/dry? ive never seen one in use and i wonder why its so cheap? i mean its got a skimmer and everything on it.

[SHMStrack]

I think im gonna end up staying with the Bak Pac. i know the sump would be the ideal thing to do, its just that i start to shy away when i see all the stuff that you need to piece one together. Might as well be talking in Chinese to me

[michael_cb_125]

I would not waste my money on that. IMO it is a piece of junk. I have seen one on a tank at a local store. It is made from cheap blue plastic, and just seems very cheaply made to me.


The following is a great combination IMO for your sized tank:



ASM G-1X



Eheim 1250 (return Pump)


This would give you a very good filtration system, with plenty of expandability.

~Michael

[michael_cb_125]

this is the Tunze DOC 9005 (In tank/In-sump)

This would give you plenty expandability, while still keeping it simple.

~Michael

[michael_cb_125]

[SHMStrack]

very nice, and i think i could piece that together eventually.

also besides water changes and cleaning your filters and what not... what can you do to keep your nitrates down?

when do you start skimming? day one? after/during the cycle?

[michael_cb_125]

The best and most effective method of keeping nitrates down is performing water changes. There are reactors that will reduce nitrates, but IMO they are too expensive for what they do. Also some algae, inverts and corals will absorb nitrates.

As for skimming, there is no set time to start skimming a tank. You can run the skimmer right through the cycle, or wait until the tank is fully cycled. Personally I just run the skimmer from day one, but I am sure there are others who will say that you should not.

~Michael

[SHMStrack]

i was thinking some form of calurpa*sp* would look neat as a backdrop to my tank. It would add a little green to counter the coraline and other corals in my tank, and contribute to keeping my nitrates low.

i have heard it can get invasive. is there any other "leafy like" plant out there that does good in a reef tank?

[michael_cb_125]

I would not add caulerpa to a reef tank, as it will most likely overgrow everything, eventually choking out your corals. There are a few species of Macro algae that are not as invasive, but IMO Macro algae is best left in a mangrove, seahorse or "planted" saltwater tank. If you are looking for nutrient exportation (nitrate removal) adding chaetomorpha algae to you refugium is the best method IMO. It is not an invasive species, does not grow on or in the substrate, and is not likely to go sexual.

If you are looking for some green for the tank, look into Star Polyps, Galaxy Coral, Euphyllias or some species of Brain corals.

~Michael

[SHMStrack]

ok, cheaeto was my first idea on nutrient export and it looks like im gonna stick with it Im a total NOOB when it comes to corals so im gonna have to stick to the EASIEST corals to work with. any suggestions?

[michael_cb_125]

Beginner coral is a very broad term. Always consider that even some corals that are considered easy, may have that freak specimen that is tempermental.

In general the following corals are easy to moderate in terms of care.

Zoanthus
Mushrooms
Euphyllias
Star Polyps
Brain Corals*
Plate Corals
Soft Corals*

Obviously it is difficult to categorize corals based off of difficulty of care. Some mushrooms are more difficult than others, some brains more than other, etc.

The best thing to do is research all coral families, and then individual species.

This website is a great resource, and where I buy 95% of my livestock

Aquarium Fish: Tropical Freshwater Fish and Saltwater Fish for Home Aquariums

~Michael

[SHMStrack]

shrooms and zoas are the only cheap corals at my LFS. Lets say water parameters are nearing perfect and with 4 bulbs of t5 lighting how fast would they start to multiply?

[smkndrgn142]

I'd hold off a little longer before you add anything...just to be sure. But to answer your question, it depends. Some zoas multiply faster than others, same with mushrooms. IME the blue and purple mushrooms multiply faster than the red...Rics are slow, as are some of the "hairy mushrooms." And it seems the more fancy or rare a zoa, the slower it grows. It will also depend on the nutrient levels in your tank.