New Marine Aquarium - is Whisper 3 good enough?

[Tom Brunner]

Hi,

I just got my 55 gallon marine aquarium up and running. I just went to
the store to get some damsels and some gravel to start the cycling
process. While there the guy told me that the cheap Whisper 3 (60)
that came with the aquarium is not good enough to support a sal****er
aquarium. I am only going to have fish, and at that only plan to have
somewhat hardy fish...(clownfish, yellow tang, flame angelfish,
possibly and coral beauty)...long story short...can my filter support
this? Also, just for reference, it runs at 330 gph.

Again, here are my questions...

1. Is my filter 'good' enough?
2. If not, what does anyone recommend?
3. What are the easiest fish to keep alive?...as I am inexperienced...

Any advice is appreciated...

Thanks,
Tom

[Marc Levenson]

Hi Tom,

I think you should read this brief overview to get an idea of what you are
dealing with:
http://www.melevsreef.com/overview.htm

The Coral Beauty and the Flame Angel are both "dwarf angels," and usually they
will not get along. There is a chance you could add them at the same time and
things would work out. Or if you had a larger tank, you could get 5 Flame
Angels. One would be the male and the rest his harem.

A HOB filter like the Whisper filter won't work well.

Marc


Tom Brunner wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I just got my 55 gallon marine aquarium up and running. I just went to
> the store to get some damsels and some gravel to start the cycling
> process. While there the guy told me that the cheap Whisper 3 (60)
> that came with the aquarium is not good enough to support a sal****er
> aquarium. I am only going to have fish, and at that only plan to have
> somewhat hardy fish...(clownfish, yellow tang, flame angelfish,
> possibly and coral beauty)...long story short...can my filter support
> this? Also, just for reference, it runs at 330 gph.
>
> Again, here are my questions...
>
> 1. Is my filter 'good' enough?
> 2. If not, what does anyone recommend?
> 3. What are the easiest fish to keep alive?...as I am inexperienced...
>
> Any advice is appreciated...
>
> Thanks,
> Tom

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[Luca Brazi]

In addition to Marc's suggestions, I recommend you not cycle with fish
you don't want (i.e., damsels) and do so with live rock instead.
Better yet, get one or two good books and read them first. Try the
Contientious Marine Aquarist. You'll need to make some fairly basic
decisions e.g., what kind of substrate, and those decisions need to be
consistent with what you hope to stock, how you use filtration, etc.
Look at some of the big web retailer sites (petsolutions.com,
drsfostersmith.com, marinedepot.com, bigalsonline.com, etc.)as well so
that you can guage the cost of the various powerheads, protein
skimmers, additives, etc. that your early choices will dictate.
Lighting will also be a consideration if you're going for a reef as
opposed to fish only. Time invested in planning before water goes in
the tank is frustration (and dollars) saved later.

Marc Levenson > wrote in message >...
> Hi Tom,
>
> I think you should read this brief overview to get an idea of what you are
> dealing with:
> http://www.melevsreef.com/overview.htm
>
> The Coral Beauty and the Flame Angel are both "dwarf angels," and usually they
> will not get along. There is a chance you could add them at the same time and
> things would work out. Or if you had a larger tank, you could get 5 Flame
> Angels. One would be the male and the rest his harem.
>
> A HOB filter like the Whisper filter won't work well.
>
> Marc
>
>
> Tom Brunner wrote:
>
> > Hi,
> >
> > I just got my 55 gallon marine aquarium up and running. I just went to
> > the store to get some damsels and some gravel to start the cycling
> > process. While there the guy told me that the cheap Whisper 3 (60)
> > that came with the aquarium is not good enough to support a sal****er
> > aquarium. I am only going to have fish, and at that only plan to have
> > somewhat hardy fish...(clownfish, yellow tang, flame angelfish,
> > possibly and coral beauty)...long story short...can my filter support
> > this? Also, just for reference, it runs at 330 gph.
> >
> > Again, here are my questions...
> >
> > 1. Is my filter 'good' enough?
> > 2. If not, what does anyone recommend?
> > 3. What are the easiest fish to keep alive?...as I am inexperienced...
> >
> > Any advice is appreciated...
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Tom

[Tom Brunner]

Thanks for your input...

I went down to a different local fish store to get some more opinions
on this issue(s) (1. Filter good enough 2. Best way to cycle ...
etc.). This person told my that Whisper filter is good enough b/c of a
bio-foam insert I have in it (I am learning that much of the info I am
getting is personal opinion). Either way, she also recommended that I
get some live rock. Does live rock need any certain amount/kind of the
light? Additionally, the live rock there was Fiji cured live rock
(between $7 and $5 depending on how much you get) or Florida live rock
(between $15 and $11 depending on how much you get). Any ideas which
one works better or is easier to mantain? Also, are these prices
average for this live rock? If so I need to quit my job and go rock
hunting...

Any input is appreciated...

Thanks,
Tom Brunner

(Luca Brazi) wrote in message >...
> In addition to Marc's suggestions, I recommend you not cycle with fish
> you don't want (i.e., damsels) and do so with live rock instead.
> Better yet, get one or two good books and read them first. Try the
> Contientious Marine Aquarist. You'll need to make some fairly basic
> decisions e.g., what kind of substrate, and those decisions need to be
> consistent with what you hope to stock, how you use filtration, etc.
> Look at some of the big web retailer sites (petsolutions.com,
> drsfostersmith.com, marinedepot.com, bigalsonline.com, etc.)as well so
> that you can guage the cost of the various powerheads, protein
> skimmers, additives, etc. that your early choices will dictate.
> Lighting will also be a consideration if you're going for a reef as
> opposed to fish only. Time invested in planning before water goes in
> the tank is frustration (and dollars) saved later.
>
> Marc Levenson > wrote in message >...
> > Hi Tom,
> >
> > I think you should read this brief overview to get an idea of what you are
> > dealing with:
> > http://www.melevsreef.com/overview.htm
> >
> > The Coral Beauty and the Flame Angel are both "dwarf angels," and usually they
> > will not get along. There is a chance you could add them at the same time and
> > things would work out. Or if you had a larger tank, you could get 5 Flame
> > Angels. One would be the male and the rest his harem.
> >
> > A HOB filter like the Whisper filter won't work well.
> >
> > Marc
> >
> >
> > Tom Brunner wrote:
> >
> > > Hi,
> > >
> > > I just got my 55 gallon marine aquarium up and running. I just went to
> > > the store to get some damsels and some gravel to start the cycling
> > > process. While there the guy told me that the cheap Whisper 3 (60)
> > > that came with the aquarium is not good enough to support a sal****er
> > > aquarium. I am only going to have fish, and at that only plan to have
> > > somewhat hardy fish...(clownfish, yellow tang, flame angelfish,
> > > possibly and coral beauty)...long story short...can my filter support
> > > this? Also, just for reference, it runs at 330 gph.
> > >
> > > Again, here are my questions...
> > >
> > > 1. Is my filter 'good' enough?
> > > 2. If not, what does anyone recommend?
> > > 3. What are the easiest fish to keep alive?...as I am inexperienced...
> > >
> > > Any advice is appreciated...
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > > Tom

[Steve Sells]

Florida rock is usually very dense and no where as pretty as the Fiji. Also
the lighter Fiji being more porous, allows for better denitrification, in
the past it used to be cheaper because of that, now, with new laws...

Steve



"Tom Brunner" > wrote in message
<snip>
> I went down to a different local fish store to get some more opinions
> on this issue(s) (1. Filter good enough 2. Best way to cycle ...
> etc.). This person told my that Whisper filter is good enough b/c of a
> bio-foam insert I have in it (I am learning that much of the info I am
> getting is personal opinion). Either way, she also recommended that I
> get some live rock. Does live rock need any certain amount/kind of the
> light? Additionally, the live rock there was Fiji cured live rock
> (between $7 and $5 depending on how much you get) or Florida live rock
> (between $15 and $11 depending on how much you get). Any ideas which
> one works better or is easier to mantain? Also, are these prices
> average for this live rock? If so I need to quit my job and go rock
> hunting...
>
> Any input is appreciated...

[CapFusion]

"Tom Brunner" > wrote in message
om...
> Thanks for your input...
>
> I went down to a different local fish store to get some more opinions
> on this issue(s) (1. Filter good enough 2. Best way to cycle ...
> etc.). This person told my that Whisper filter is good enough b/c of a
> bio-foam insert I have in it (I am learning that much of the info I am
> getting is personal opinion). Either way, she also recommended that I
> get some live rock. Does live rock need any certain amount/kind of the
> light? Additionally, the live rock there was Fiji cured live rock
> (between $7 and $5 depending on how much you get) or Florida live rock
> (between $15 and $11 depending on how much you get). Any ideas which
> one works better or is easier to mantain? Also, are these prices
> average for this live rock? If so I need to quit my job and go rock
> hunting...
>

You do not really need that Whisper filter. I would recomend if it where in
FW tank but not in SW.
The only basic need you should be looking for in SW:
LR - As much you can
LS - As much you can
Protein Skimmer - Trying getting the model that will support 2x the flow of
your tank size or more.

Also you do not need demsel to cycle, you can just use deli-shrimp. LR will
have enough die-off during the cycle to add to your cycling phase of your
tank. Also, if you are not planning on keeping Damsel in your tank, you will
have a hard time catching them.

CapFusion,...

[Ct Midnite]

Ok, what's the harm in using a Whisper as a mechanical filter? Remove
the foam and just use the pads? It gives some current and takes out
the big pieces. Is there actual harm or you just wouldn't spend the
money?

I have a Emperor 300 (which is a fancy Whisper with a bio wheel) and a
protein skimmer and lots and lots of live rock in one of my tanks and
am not having much of a problem that I can see. What should I be
doing different?

Ct Midnite

On Thu, 15 Jan 2004 09:59:05 -0800, "CapFusion"
> wrote:

>
>"Tom Brunner" > wrote in message
om...
>> Thanks for your input...
>>
>> I went down to a different local fish store to get some more opinions
>> on this issue(s) (1. Filter good enough 2. Best way to cycle ...
>> etc.). This person told my that Whisper filter is good enough b/c of a
>> bio-foam insert I have in it (I am learning that much of the info I am
>> getting is personal opinion). Either way, she also recommended that I
>> get some live rock. Does live rock need any certain amount/kind of the
>> light? Additionally, the live rock there was Fiji cured live rock
>> (between $7 and $5 depending on how much you get) or Florida live rock
>> (between $15 and $11 depending on how much you get). Any ideas which
>> one works better or is easier to mantain? Also, are these prices
>> average for this live rock? If so I need to quit my job and go rock
>> hunting...
>>
>
>You do not really need that Whisper filter. I would recomend if it where in
>FW tank but not in SW.
>The only basic need you should be looking for in SW:
>LR - As much you can
>LS - As much you can
>Protein Skimmer - Trying getting the model that will support 2x the flow of
>your tank size or more.
>
>Also you do not need demsel to cycle, you can just use deli-shrimp. LR will
>have enough die-off during the cycle to add to your cycling phase of your
>tank. Also, if you are not planning on keeping Damsel in your tank, you will
>have a hard time catching them.
>
>CapFusion,...
>
>


http://www.geocities.com/ctmidnite53/

[Richard Reynolds]

> Ok, what's the harm in using a Whisper as a mechanical filter? Remove
> the foam and just use the pads? It gives some current and takes out
> the big pieces. Is there actual harm or you just wouldn't spend the
> money?

first its hard to keep the small pieces alive and trap the big ones at the same time

it also will become a source for nitrification, without the supporting denitrification
creating nitrates in the tank.

> I have a Emperor 300 (which is a fancy Whisper with a bio wheel) and a
> protein skimmer and lots and lots of live rock in one of my tanks and
> am not having much of a problem that I can see. What should I be
> doing different?

IF you have the supporting LR, then to keep nitrates at or near 0 requires more work,
those bio wheels are VERY good at nitrification, but do not support denitrification at
all. they are a man made device designed to do what they do, its not like having some LR
be better at filtering than others.

IF you have the supporting LR then at least you can remove the biowheels, or the entire
unit.

IF you dont have the supporting LR, either because you have not purchased it yet, or its a
FO, then this is a wonderful filter designed to keep ammonia and nitrites at 0, provide
mechanical filtration which can be good if you dont have the lower lifeforms to consume
fish waste.


--
Richard Reynolds

[CapFusion]

Basically what Richard Reynolds said.
Please continue reading....

"Ct Midnite" <mreef2.10.muffin@spamgourmet.(nospam)com> wrote in message
...
> Ok, what's the harm in using a Whisper as a mechanical filter? Remove
> the foam and just use the pads? It gives some current and takes out
> the big pieces. Is there actual harm or you just wouldn't spend the
> money?

In FW, it beneficial. I have some Whisper 3. Last me forever.
In SW, it not benefical but cause problem like nitrate factory. If you want,
by all mean keep on using it. The LR and LS may not catch up which high
nitrate that the Whiper is producing from those bacteria as end product.
Mechanical filter like Whiper or any other [except PS] will be do Anmonia to
Nitrite and ending product Nitrate. The end nitrate will built-up. Your LS /
LR will try to denitrification what Whisper have left off. So why have it in
the first place? Your LS / LR and or PS will do the job. Whisper 3 will not
be a effecient as Wet/Dry filter but effecient enough.

Why add more problem if you can prevent it from the first place?
Does this answer your last sentence above?


>
> I have a Emperor 300 (which is a fancy Whisper with a bio wheel) and a
> protein skimmer and lots and lots of live rock in one of my tanks and
> am not having much of a problem that I can see. What should I be
> doing different?
>

Emperor is same answer like Whisper above.

All you need for your SW tank are the basic:
LR/LS/PS for filteration.


> Ct Midnite

Hi / Hello

CapFusion,...