The new guy on the block.

[bryceschutte]

Hello all! UPDATE: I'm set up and started!

I am new to the forum and am already very excited to adsorb a tonne of knowledge. I have had multiple fresh water and brackish water tanks in my life time.

Now I really want to make the jump to saltwater. So I come to the Calgary members to help me get started. I am going to have a lot of time on my hands for the next few months but not a lot of money. Long story short, I will be on short term disability.

I am looking to start a tank from scratch. I have 2 tanks that I am debating on using as my first attempt. A 45 gal bow front or a 110 gal. Went with the 45 gal for now. I'm thinking the bow front because I for surly cannot afford the sand and live rock to get started as is. I have filters, lights, and a test kit that will work to get me started but I am reaching out for some assistance with a few other things for either really cheap or free.

Power heads - Anyone have one laying around?

Protein skimmer - I am debating on doing the DIY one listed in the forum but would need some assistance.
Decided that it can wait. Just need more water changes.

Live or dead rock - I am very willing to start with a small piece and add enough dead rock ( is that what you call it?) and wait the 3 months or whatever it takes for it all to be alive.
I was able to purchase 30lbs of live rock from P_mantis and got some not so live rock donated by whiteangelbw

Sand - From what I have been reading I can once again use not live sand and "seed" with some live sand. Either way I need both.
Half bag live sand donated by Coleus

Current pumps - I know there is a better word for theses. Just cant remember (NOOB!)
Useing my fluval 201

Live stock - This will have to wait awhile until the tank is well set up.
I have a clown on the way once my tank gets set up. Donated by P_mantis

Knowledge / a friend - Someone willing to take me under their wing and teach me how to get started the correct way.

I am willing to trade services for any or all of the things I need listed above. I can babysit your tank while you are on holidays not that I know anything about saltwater. I am great with computers and Iphone / Ipads. I can also jailbreak them for you. I was a gold smith for many years so i can give advice or repairs on anything Jewellery related. I am currently selling Used vehicles at Sunridge Nissan and can give you a really great deal on a vehicle.

I have wanted to get into this hobby since I saw my first Trigger fish. Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

[kien]

Hey there and welcome to canreef! :)

[bryceschutte]

Hey there and welcome to canreef! :)

Thank You! It feels like a great forum already.

[Coleus]

Welcome to canreef. I have free hydrometers and half bag of live sand if you want

[Wingin It]

Welcome to the forum. I'm sure you'll find everything you need at great prices...far cheaper than at the LFS for sure. I started with a 72 gallon Bowfront a few months ago...and now I have to upgrade already. Just be prepared for that ;) lol

[bryceschutte]

Welcome to canreef. I have free hydrometers and half bag of live sand if you want

Thank you! Where can I pick them up?

[bryceschutte]

I need to do some more water tests but I figure I should start thinking about a clean up crew. Suggestions are greatly appreciated! (as are donations)

[Wingin It]

Go to Gold's if you want cheap hermits/snails...if they have any left...they go fast. :)

[bryceschutte]

Where is golds again?

P.S. Everyone on this forum is GREAT!!!!!!!!

[bryceschutte]

SO I got a new tank that has 2 holes drilled i the bottom. How do I utilize them with a sump? Can I use a fluval canister to pump my water back up?

http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy232/bryceschutte/fish/tanksetup.png

Is this the route I should go?

http://www.thesaltybox.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=1314

Can I just make the intake tube high enough that it sucks off the top of the water?

http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy232/bryceschutte/fish/cornertankoverflow.jpg

Or should I make an overflow?

http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy232/bryceschutte/fish/tanksetup-1.png

[kien]

What you have outlined is certainly possible and will work. However, that is going to be one noisy system as the water drains out of that one standpipe. Lots of gurgling. Will likely drive you and the wife mad quite quickly.

If you want to make a quiter overflow system and HAVE to use only the one standpipe as an overflow then do a search for "durso overflow".

Personally, if it were me what I would do is implement a "herbie" overflow system. Do a search for it, lots of examples. One pipe can be your main drain, while the other will act as your emergency. Then for a return run a line from your sump up and over the outside of your tank along one of the back walls of the tank. Definitely build an overflow box around both pipes if you go this route.

You don't really need the canister filter. That's just an extra piece of equipment that you'll have to maintain (clean, inspect, etc), which really isn't necessary if you are running a sump. Just stick a filter sock on your overflow/drain line and run carbon in a reactor in your sump.

[Coleus]

Also +1 to build an overflow because if there is ever a leak or a hole at the bottom of your standpipe and your return pump is off, the whole water in your tank will pour into your sum and eventually flood your floor. I know some will say "what a chance of that", well ask Alberta_reef :-)

[Snappy]

Welcome to Canreef. I agree with Kien, loose the canister filter. What are you using for powerheads? (Flow?) Coleus makes a valid point, you may want to consider using the drilled holes in the bottom for a closed loop.

[bryceschutte]

Welcome to Canreef. I agree with Kien, loose the canister filter. What are you using for powerheads? (Flow?) Coleus makes a valid point, you may want to consider using the drilled holes in the bottom for a closed loop.

Closed loop?

I have just the fluval canister for flow. I think I am picking up a skimmer and powerheads tomorrow, if the deal goes thru.

[bryceschutte]

Ok so I am ditching the cannister! I picked up a skimmer and 2-koralia 3. Just need to build an overflow, set up a sump (I have the tank, just need to silicone some glass), and get a return pump. Can use the fluval as a return for now? What else am I missing? I will need to upgrade some bulbs sooner than later if I want any kind of corals.

I am going to be putting in a clown, snails, some shrimp, and a crab. And some simple LFS.

Any suggestions or comments?

[Gaffer]

I have been using a fluval 401 with out any media in it to feed my sump on my frag tank as is not drilled and I did not have another pump kicking around.

It took some time to get things balanced, but it has been working for a couple of months. Just use a butterfly valve or the ones that come with it to control the flow. I dont run any media in it because a filter sock is easier to change and it wont clog up and decrease the flow.

Best of luck with the new system.

Andrew

[bryceschutte]

Well I went a completly different route. I decided to sell my other tanks and a picked up a 90 gal already set up amd running with some fish and some simple corals. Tak e a look at my pics and tell me what you think.

Things that are'nt neccesarily in the pics are some large snails, a hermit crab, some other crab, 2 choclate chip star fish, and a sand cleaner thing that i picked up from Red Coral yesterday. ( thanks fishytime! )


http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy232/bryceschutte/004.jpg

http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy232/bryceschutte/005.jpg

http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy232/bryceschutte/006.jpg

http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy232/bryceschutte/008.jpg

Should I get rid of alot of these?
http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy232/bryceschutte/009.jpg

What is this green glowing type stuff? I will try and get a better pic soon.
http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy232/bryceschutte/010.jpg

http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy232/bryceschutte/011.jpg

http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy232/bryceschutte/012.jpg

Some type of tang?
http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy232/bryceschutte/013.jpg

[Leah]

Nice star, but not reef safe.

[bryceschutte]

Nice star, but not reef safe.

Thats what i thought. The previous owner had it set up like this for a year now. The star fish has not touched the anenome or the green glowing stuff.

[Leah]

:lol: I bought one years ago form Petcetra...:wink: And was not told differently.

The feathers are good...you will probably want to keep them, or put them in your sump if you think they are ugly.