Help with my 29g setup--basic questions

[Clay Blankenship]

I am setting up a new marine tank for the first time in several years.
There are no fish yet. It currently has a reverse UGF and a Penguin
Biowheel. I am going to order a CPR Bak Pak protein skimmer. Since
that will provide my biological filtration, can I get rid of the UGF?
Should I keep the powerhead for circulation? Where do I put it--just
stick it to the side of the tank with the sponge filter on it?

I know some people use live rock for chemical filtration. I may phase
some in but I am trying to keep costs reasonable. How much does it
cost, anyway? What about mechanical filtration? How does the Berlin
method get rid of pieces of food and fish poop? IOW, should I keep my
biowheel power filter (now and after the live rock)?

Thanks,
Clay Blankenship
Marina, California

[Tom E.]

"Clay Blankenship" > wrote in message
m...
> I know some people use live rock for chemical filtration. I may phase
> some in but I am trying to keep costs reasonable. How much does it
> cost, anyway?

I have as many questions as you do, and more, but the answer
to that one is around 5 bucks a pound:-( For you, that would
be about 150 dollars if you go by the rule of thumb of one gallon
for one pound. I guess you have to consider the trouble they go
through in collecting and shipping that rock to your location.
Tom

[willis stanley]

In article >,
says...
> I am setting up a new marine tank for the first time in several years.
> There are no fish yet. It currently has a reverse UGF and a Penguin
> Biowheel. I am going to order a CPR Bak Pak protein skimmer. Since
> that will provide my biological filtration, can I get rid of the UGF?
> Should I keep the powerhead for circulation? Where do I put it--just
> stick it to the side of the tank with the sponge filter on it?
>
> I know some people use live rock for chemical filtration. I may phase
> some in but I am trying to keep costs reasonable. How much does it
> cost, anyway? What about mechanical filtration? How does the Berlin
> method get rid of pieces of food and fish poop? IOW, should I keep my
> biowheel power filter (now and after the live rock)?
>
> Thanks,
> Clay Blankenship
> Marina, California
>
I think you'll want to get rid of the UGF and get some Southdown
playsand from Home Depot. I've got 2-3 inches in the bottom of my 29.
Buy a couple of pounds of live sand (usually ~$5/lbs.) to seed yours
with. You can use live rock to cycle the tank then it will provide
biofiltration (along with the sand) provided you have enough of it (runs
from $5 to $8/lbs usually, maybe you can get a better deal if you buy
bulk at once (~45lbs.). You can add it more slowly but be aware that you
could start the tank cycling again so respond accordingly with water
changes, etc. First thing you'll probably want to stock is your clean
up crew of crabs & snails. I use a Mag Drive 3 pump with a SCWD
wavemaker for circulation but powerheads work too (you'll probably want
at least 2) I use a HOB aquaclear 150 to provide some mechanical
filtration (rinse the sponge in it every other day), although many
people don't.