Going to the dark side

[BlackJew]

Well I picked up that 200g tank and found out it's RR. So I'm getting together all the parts,skimmers ect needed to fire up a SW tank. Ocean clear filter is what I'm going to be installing next. I'll stock it with Stone fish, Lion fish, Sea horses, Star fish and a few Dog face Puffers. If it fails and I'm sure at some point I'll end up killing about $500 in fish. I switch it back over to FW and load my Oscars in there. Anyone here know much about SW?

[glostik]

www.dfwmas.org

[xtc]

http://hoboken411.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/farside-fries-salt-vinegar.JPG

[BlackJew]

http://hoboken411.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/farside-fries-salt-vinegar.JPG


?:confuzeld:

[budwick weiser]

i hear that sea horses have to be kept in pretty much a species only tank because they are s delicate and must be individually fed with a pair of tongs.

[dcacjc]

dallasmas.org

[BlackJew]

i hear that sea horses have to be kept in pretty much a species only tank because they are s delicate and must be individually fed with a pair of tongs.


86 the sea horses then ... Cuz I'm not doing that !

[masroberts9]

i was given a 140 gallon tank not too long along. the guy who gave it to me kept a lion fish. he said that it cost more to feed that one fish then to feed his whole family.

[biggin]

Seahorses are pretty much by them selves.

Stone fish are illegal.

Lion fish kill a lot of other fish..... puffer will eat your star fish.....

You need some research.....

[OOwl]

Amen! BJ, PLEASE do some research before you delve into a saltwater tank. You seem to really care about your fish, from what I gather by reading your other posts, so I'm pretty sure you're just kinda kidding around about your choices of potential inhabitants. Do yourself a favor (if nothing else for your pocketbook), drop by Half Price Books and pick up some CURRENT literature on setting up and maintaining a marine system (reef or fish-only). The Robert Fenner, "Conscientious Marine Aquarist" is a personal favorite of mine (and I see it in the HPBs all the time!). Also, just because your tank is RR, does not mean you MUST make it a saltwater system. You could make an awesome home for your oscars out of that tank. It's cool to have oscars in tanks with sumps because all the filters, heaters, etc, can go down in the sump and leave just tank pretty much clear of stuff for them to knock around and even bump into. I also recommend a membership to DFWMAS. Although I'm not currently a member, I spent a good many years as an active member of that club. The support network there is wonderful. Best wishes on your new project.


You need some research.....

[BlackJew]

Seahorses are pretty much by them selves.

Stone fish are illegal.

Lion fish kill a lot of other fish..... puffer will eat your star fish.....

You need some research.....


LOL ... Yeah maybe a little! :D

[BlackJew]

Maybe not ... this SW sounds like a pain in azz. Anyone setup SW tank ?

[tsunderl]

There's a reason it's called the dark side. http://www.pushupstairs.com/images/emoticon/neptune/Animated/Scared/Uhoh052.gif

[BlackJew]

well.. then what do I do about the 2 holes in the bottom of my 200g... tank ?

[tsunderl]

You can either seal them off with bulkheads OR use a wet/dry filtration system which is not a bad idea on a tank that size. I have a 30g sump on my 180g square and it's super easy to care for. Keeps the water clear too.

I know these filtration systems have been discussed here. Check the equipment and DIY sections.

[BlackJew]

will do thanks

[rolloffhill]

Use them, RR tanks are good for overstocked tanks. Wet/dry filters are far superior to canisters in bio. and mech. filtration.

Take advantage of it like everyone has been telling you and use it for your Oscars...

[xtc]

Sorry- my standard answer is "salt is for fries" :hehe:

?:confuzeld:

[BlackJew]

Sorry- my standard answer is "salt is for fries" :hehe:


Ohhh ...I see.

[BlackJew]

Ok thanks ..

[lrw46]

I have a RR 75 which I use for fresh water. The filter is in the inside of the tank. As to what to do with it being pre-drilled. You can sump it, or plug it up.
The biggest problem with sumping is that most people want to use a siphon type down flow. You want to use an overflow system. As the water goes in, the overflow overflows into the sump. You use a piece of PVC in the bulk head and cut it off at the point you want it to overflow. otherwise you will get a very wet floor, or a burned out pump.
If you are still thinking about saltwater. Do the research before starting. Don't waste money on just jumping into it. Salt water tanks are alot prettier than fresh. They are not more difficult than to keep up but they are alot more expensive if you f--k up.

At one time, I only had 17,000 gals of saltwater going, and over 5x that in fresh.

[rolloffhill]

Or you take precautions and have siphon breaks when the power goes out...;)

[OOwl]

I've had both, salt/reef and fresh, and in my opinion fresh IS easier. When I want to do a LARGE water change on my fresh tanks, I whip out the Python and it's done in a matter of minutes. Salt tanks (most of them anyway) require RO water, pre-mixed, temp-adjusted saltwater (or going to the store and buying that and lugging it home). Not saying it is not worth it. At one time I had eight reef tanks and it really became the chore that was responsible for making me suffer severe burnout, resulting in YEARS away from this hobby. When I returned, I swore I'd have just one little freshwater tank. . . then I found this place and got the MTS going pretty badly. So many fish you see and want to keep, one tank spawns another and another, upgrades, then it was only natural to end up putting up my reef tank again after seeing the familiar fish and corals in the fish stores I'd visit (although I tried REALLY hard not to even look!). Although in all those years before I learned a LOT about what I'd do differently if I got the chance. What equipment is essential and what really isn't. Looking back on it all, the best saltwater tank I ever had was a little low-tech tank with a cheap skimmer and 50/50 PCs. Like everyone has said, DFWMAS is a great resource, as are books. If you want to do it, do it. :)

[tsunderl]

This is my 180 that has an overflow which is hidden behind the rock and plants. The sump is in the stand. Makes for a very clean appearance.

http://www.dfwfishbox.com/forums/production/picture.php?albumid=11&pictureid=40

Water goes in to the overflow and flows in to the sump. I have bioballs and nylon sponges in the sump for the biological filtration and a couple of foam pads for mechanical filtration. A pump brings the water back to the tank. I have a UV sterilizer and HOB filter in the sump and could put a heater in there if needed. Water changes are done via the sump and is less likely to get the floor wet. Pretty much anything you need to add to the tank can be added to the sump... Medications and water treatments. Super easy and this would be a perfect setup for oscars.

[OOwl]

T, that tank is so pretty. Where did you find a 180 square tank like that? My oscars really WOULD love that tank. :) Your setup sounds really nice.

[tsunderl]

T, that tank is so pretty. Where did you find a 180 square tank like that? My oscars really WOULD love that tank. :) Your setup sounds really nice.

Thanks! Someone from DFWMAS was selling it to make room for a baby and I nabbed it. :D It has really turned out nice, if I say so myself. :hehe:

This is the first tank I've had with a sump and I'm really pleased with the performance. BJ, it's the way to go!

[BlackJew]

I do like the SW fish but that's it. I picked the tank up to store all my oscars.. But when I found out that it was a RR I thought I would just keep it SW. But now it looks like more then I care to jack with. I don't know much about sumps. Why would I use one? I was just going to fire up a Ocean filter 375/uv and let it ride. What's the point of a sump , Over flow ect?

[rolloffhill]

I do like the SW fish but that's it. I picked the tank up to store all my oscars.. But when I found out that it was a RR I thought I would just keep it SW. But now it looks like more then I care to jack with. I don't know much about sumps. Why would I use one? I was just going to fire up a Ocean filter 375/uv and let it ride. What's the point of a sump , Over flow ect?

That is your filtration, excellent mech. and bio filtration. You can hide your heaters in the sump.

http://www.dfwfishbox.com/forums/production/wetdry.php

[BlackJew]

Man that looks complex.. Is a sump better then the FX5 or the OC filter? And if it is better can I just buy one that is all setup. This makes me a little uneasy.. What if the power goes out.. My hardwood floors will need to be replaced ect ?

[rolloffhill]

Just plug the holes and run a canister....

[masroberts9]

this pic doesnt do your tank justice! you need another pic.


This is my 180 that has an overflow which is hidden behind the rock and plants. The sump is in the stand. Makes for a very clean appearance.

http://www.dfwfishbox.com/forums/production/picture.php?albumid=11&pictureid=40

Water goes in to the overflow and flows in to the sump. I have bioballs and nylon sponges in the sump for the biological filtration and a couple of foam pads for mechanical filtration. A pump brings the water back to the tank. I have a UV sterilizer and HOB filter in the sump and could put a heater in there if needed. Water changes are done via the sump and is less likely to get the floor wet. Pretty much anything you need to add to the tank can be added to the sump... Medications and water treatments. Super easy and this would be a perfect setup for oscars.