Switching a 75 Gallon FW tank to Sal****er FO

[[email protected]]

Hi there,

I've been lurking for a while and I'm impressed with all the know-how,
and willingness to share it, on this board. You guys are great!

I'd like to impose on you for a little advice of my own. I've kept a
planted freshwater tanks for three years now, but I'd like to take
advantage of my move from CA to CO to switch to freshwater. However,
I'd like to take advantage of as much of my existing equipment as
possible, and I'm not sure what to use to supplement my existing setup.

My tank is an acrylic 75 gallon short tank, which means it's shorter
and has a bigger footprint than most 75 gal tanks. The tank has a lid
built into it with two big holes where the lights go -- mostly for
feeding, I presume. Behind those, it has two elongated holes, but
they're not right up against the edge, so I'm not sure that an
over-the-back skimmer would attach correctly. Is there a way to
ascertain this without buying one and trying it?

I have an Eheim 2028 filter that I *think* can be used in sal****er as
well as freshwater. Is this worth keeping, or is filtration negligably
useful compared to skimming?

The thought of setting up a sump doesn't excite me, but I'll do it if
necessary. I'm moving to a mountainous area of Colorado and I'm
worried about power outages due to storms. I really don't want an
outage to lead to flooding because the siphon overflows either the sump
or the tank. Is this a problem? Also, the stand I built doesn't have
a whole lot of room underneath for an additional tank.

Are there any good free standing skimmers? That seems like the
simplest option to set up; I could simply put it underneath the tank
next to the filter. What brands do you recommend?

I plan to use live sand (well, actually I'd like to seed some Florida
crushed coral with Agra-Alive, if possible) and some live rock, so that
should help with water quality.

I'm rather befuddled about the filtration/skimming question in general.
I welcome any and all advice! Thank you very much!

-- Kathy

[CheezWiz]

My canned newbie response:

I would highly recommend reading:
Natural Reef Aquariums: Simplified Approaches to Creating Living Sal****er
Microcosms
by John Tullock


This is the first book I loan to anyone thinking of a reef tank.



CW

> wrote in message
oups.com...
> Hi there,
>
> I've been lurking for a while and I'm impressed with all the know-how,
> and willingness to share it, on this board. You guys are great!
>
> I'd like to impose on you for a little advice of my own. I've kept a
> planted freshwater tanks for three years now, but I'd like to take
> advantage of my move from CA to CO to switch to freshwater. However,
> I'd like to take advantage of as much of my existing equipment as
> possible, and I'm not sure what to use to supplement my existing setup.
>
> My tank is an acrylic 75 gallon short tank, which means it's shorter
> and has a bigger footprint than most 75 gal tanks. The tank has a lid
> built into it with two big holes where the lights go -- mostly for
> feeding, I presume. Behind those, it has two elongated holes, but
> they're not right up against the edge, so I'm not sure that an
> over-the-back skimmer would attach correctly. Is there a way to
> ascertain this without buying one and trying it?
>
> I have an Eheim 2028 filter that I *think* can be used in sal****er as
> well as freshwater. Is this worth keeping, or is filtration negligably
> useful compared to skimming?
>
> The thought of setting up a sump doesn't excite me, but I'll do it if
> necessary. I'm moving to a mountainous area of Colorado and I'm
> worried about power outages due to storms. I really don't want an
> outage to lead to flooding because the siphon overflows either the sump
> or the tank. Is this a problem? Also, the stand I built doesn't have
> a whole lot of room underneath for an additional tank.
>
> Are there any good free standing skimmers? That seems like the
> simplest option to set up; I could simply put it underneath the tank
> next to the filter. What brands do you recommend?
>
> I plan to use live sand (well, actually I'd like to seed some Florida
> crushed coral with Agra-Alive, if possible) and some live rock, so that
> should help with water quality.
>
> I'm rather befuddled about the filtration/skimming question in general.
> I welcome any and all advice! Thank you very much!
>
> -- Kathy
>

[Ray Martini]

It's a long process but well worth it. You probably won't need the Eheim if
you have enough live rock and a good skimmer. Auqa C makes really good
skimmers, freestanding and hang on. I didn't go with the sump setup because
of the same fears of siphon floods in the event of a power outage. Try to do
about 1.5 - 2 lbs of live rock per gallon. That will take care of your
bio-filtration.

Research and read ALOT before diving in.


> wrote in message
oups.com...
> Hi there,
>
> I've been lurking for a while and I'm impressed with all the know-how,
> and willingness to share it, on this board. You guys are great!
>
> I'd like to impose on you for a little advice of my own. I've kept a
> planted freshwater tanks for three years now, but I'd like to take
> advantage of my move from CA to CO to switch to freshwater. However,
> I'd like to take advantage of as much of my existing equipment as
> possible, and I'm not sure what to use to supplement my existing setup.
>
> My tank is an acrylic 75 gallon short tank, which means it's shorter
> and has a bigger footprint than most 75 gal tanks. The tank has a lid
> built into it with two big holes where the lights go -- mostly for
> feeding, I presume. Behind those, it has two elongated holes, but
> they're not right up against the edge, so I'm not sure that an
> over-the-back skimmer would attach correctly. Is there a way to
> ascertain this without buying one and trying it?
>
> I have an Eheim 2028 filter that I *think* can be used in sal****er as
> well as freshwater. Is this worth keeping, or is filtration negligably
> useful compared to skimming?
>
> The thought of setting up a sump doesn't excite me, but I'll do it if
> necessary. I'm moving to a mountainous area of Colorado and I'm
> worried about power outages due to storms. I really don't want an
> outage to lead to flooding because the siphon overflows either the sump
> or the tank. Is this a problem? Also, the stand I built doesn't have
> a whole lot of room underneath for an additional tank.
>
> Are there any good free standing skimmers? That seems like the
> simplest option to set up; I could simply put it underneath the tank
> next to the filter. What brands do you recommend?
>
> I plan to use live sand (well, actually I'd like to seed some Florida
> crushed coral with Agra-Alive, if possible) and some live rock, so that
> should help with water quality.
>
> I'm rather befuddled about the filtration/skimming question in general.
> I welcome any and all advice! Thank you very much!
>
> -- Kathy
>

[[email protected]]

Thanks CheezWiz! I've read "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist"
cover-to-cover, but I'll put Tullock's book on my list!

[[email protected]]

Thanks Ray. I've heard only good things about the Aqua Cs, so I'll
look into their freestanding models.

Is it possible/recommended to seed dead rock with some live rock?
Could I start out with half live rock and hope that with some TLC, the
dead rock will start to grow? If so, what kind of dead rock is
recommended for the task? If I have to pay for live rock I certainly
will, but I've been looking at it online and it's fairly expensive.
Also, shipping to my house in the woods may be difficult; I heard stuff
takes a little longer to arrive.

[CheezWiz]

I did that, be prepared to fight hair algae for a long time until the good
stuff takes over..

CW
> wrote in message
ups.com...
> Thanks Ray. I've heard only good things about the Aqua Cs, so I'll
> look into their freestanding models.
>
> Is it possible/recommended to seed dead rock with some live rock?
> Could I start out with half live rock and hope that with some TLC, the
> dead rock will start to grow? If so, what kind of dead rock is
> recommended for the task? If I have to pay for live rock I certainly
> will, but I've been looking at it online and it's fairly expensive.
> Also, shipping to my house in the woods may be difficult; I heard stuff
> takes a little longer to arrive.
>

[CheezWiz]

I have been using a CPR overflow for years, but am still so paranoid that I
have a webcam so I can check in on it when I am away..
Power outages do not cause problems, clogs do....

My next tank will be drilled. The benefits of an under tank refugium are
well worth the cost and effort...

CW
"Ray Martini" > wrote in message
...
> It's a long process but well worth it. You probably won't need the Eheim
> if you have enough live rock and a good skimmer. Auqa C makes really good
> skimmers, freestanding and hang on. I didn't go with the sump setup
> because of the same fears of siphon floods in the event of a power outage.
> Try to do about 1.5 - 2 lbs of live rock per gallon. That will take care
> of your bio-filtration.
>
> Research and read ALOT before diving in.
>
>
> > wrote in message
> oups.com...
>> Hi there,
>>
>> I've been lurking for a while and I'm impressed with all the know-how,
>> and willingness to share it, on this board. You guys are great!
>>
>> I'd like to impose on you for a little advice of my own. I've kept a
>> planted freshwater tanks for three years now, but I'd like to take
>> advantage of my move from CA to CO to switch to freshwater. However,
>> I'd like to take advantage of as much of my existing equipment as
>> possible, and I'm not sure what to use to supplement my existing setup.
>>
>> My tank is an acrylic 75 gallon short tank, which means it's shorter
>> and has a bigger footprint than most 75 gal tanks. The tank has a lid
>> built into it with two big holes where the lights go -- mostly for
>> feeding, I presume. Behind those, it has two elongated holes, but
>> they're not right up against the edge, so I'm not sure that an
>> over-the-back skimmer would attach correctly. Is there a way to
>> ascertain this without buying one and trying it?
>>
>> I have an Eheim 2028 filter that I *think* can be used in sal****er as
>> well as freshwater. Is this worth keeping, or is filtration negligably
>> useful compared to skimming?
>>
>> The thought of setting up a sump doesn't excite me, but I'll do it if
>> necessary. I'm moving to a mountainous area of Colorado and I'm
>> worried about power outages due to storms. I really don't want an
>> outage to lead to flooding because the siphon overflows either the sump
>> or the tank. Is this a problem? Also, the stand I built doesn't have
>> a whole lot of room underneath for an additional tank.
>>
>> Are there any good free standing skimmers? That seems like the
>> simplest option to set up; I could simply put it underneath the tank
>> next to the filter. What brands do you recommend?
>>
>> I plan to use live sand (well, actually I'd like to seed some Florida
>> crushed coral with Agra-Alive, if possible) and some live rock, so that
>> should help with water quality.
>>
>> I'm rather befuddled about the filtration/skimming question in general.
>> I welcome any and all advice! Thank you very much!
>>
>> -- Kathy
>>
>
>

[Ray Martini]

Maybe you could try half live base rock and half regular live rock. LR is
very expensive. If you think it's high online, try the LFS. At least double
if not triple the price. Now that I have a bunch of good rock going, I buy
the rock in small quantities while poking around in the store at $20 at a
time.

Eventually I'll have a ton of it.


> wrote in message
ups.com...
> Thanks Ray. I've heard only good things about the Aqua Cs, so I'll
> look into their freestanding models.
>
> Is it possible/recommended to seed dead rock with some live rock?
> Could I start out with half live rock and hope that with some TLC, the
> dead rock will start to grow? If so, what kind of dead rock is
> recommended for the task? If I have to pay for live rock I certainly
> will, but I've been looking at it online and it's fairly expensive.
> Also, shipping to my house in the woods may be difficult; I heard stuff
> takes a little longer to arrive.
>

[[email protected]]

For you guys with fears of siphon floods in the event of a power
outage, try drilling a small hole (just below the water line) on the
tube that returns the water from the sump to the display aquarium.
This way (when power outage occurs), only the water above this hole
will be siphoned back to the sump and once the hole is reached, the air
will cut off the water. As far as clogs, have a back-up system in
place or two systems running at once. Water damage can ruin and weaken
flooring not to mention carpet.
To save money on live rock, look to purchase used systems. Sometimes
you get a whole "simple" system with 80 lbs or so of live rock (and
some fish/basic coral/criters) for the same price as just purchasing
live rock at your local fish store......just my thoughts

[[email protected]]

Thanks for the suggestion! I'll reconsider a sump, though I'm still
not sure (hardwood flooring below the tank). Used is a great idea --
I'll start checking Craig's list when I get to Colorado.

[George Patterson]

Ray Martini wrote:
> Maybe you could try half live base rock and half regular live rock. LR is
> very expensive. If you think it's high online, try the LFS. At least double
> if not triple the price.

Actually, mine is charging $4.50/lb for cured LR.

George Patterson
"Naked" means you ain't got no clothes on; "nekkid" means you ain't got
no clothes on - and are up to somethin'.