Results 1 to 3 of 3

Thread: So You Want to Start a Marine Aquarium ??

  1. #1
    SPS Reefer / TR Admin lReef lKeeper's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Louisville, Ky
    Posts
    4,687
    Blog Entries
    6
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts

    So You Want to Start a Marine Aquarium ??

    So you want to start marine aquarium ?? What will you need ??

    This was a short topic on Talkingreef Live and I wanted to 'somewhat' elaborate on the topic. This is a somewhat controversial subject among hobbyists everywhere, and the following is just what I would do.

    LIGHTING :

    Lighting will depend on what you are planning on keeping in the tank. It is also a key factor in ANY marine tank containing any pretty much ANY photosynthetic coral. Not many corals can not survive with the normal output florescent bulbs that come with tanks. What we are doing with our tanks is trying to mimic their natural environment as closely as possible. So to close this section I would recommend figuring out what type of corals you want to keep, then posting a thread in the talkingreef forums with the info in it. This will make it a lot easier for the community to help you. You should NOT try to save a few bucks when purchasing.

    http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/po...sode-75-a.html

    PROTEIN SKIMMER :

    In my opinion, a protein skimmer is a VERY important piece of reefing equipment. What it does is remove excess waste and nutrients from the water, leaving you a better environment for your livestock. They also add oxygen to the water, it may be a small amout, but every little bit helps. This is another piece of equipment that you should NOT try to save a few bucks on when purchasing. A great podcast on protein skimmers ...

    http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/po...sode-35-a.html

    POWERHEAD PUMPS :

    When looking into powerheads, it is again, a good idea to have a list of corals, fish, and inverts that you are planning on keeping. We use powerheads in our tanks for water circulation that does not count as part of the turnover rate of the system. There are a lot of options in this department that are available to us. Great podcasts ...

    http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/po...isode-4-a.html
    http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/po...isode-5-a.html

    LIVE ROCK AND LIVE SAND :

    Live Rock is going to do the majority of the filtration in a marine tank. To save a few bucks, you can also buy "base rock" or "dead rock" from most LFSs that sell live rock. I recommend Marco Rocks The finest aquarium rock available, base rock, live rock, reef rock, marco rock, reef tank saltwater fish, live corals, Marco rocks, Fiji live rock, Tonga Live rock, then buy a couple of pieces of live rock to "seed" the base rock. Base rock is pretty much just dead live rock. I believe that the link below also goes into how live rock works.

    Sand is used for many reasons in a marine tank. the main reason, IMO
    , is for nitrate reduction within the system. I HIGHLY recommend this podcast for further details ... it would take a VERY LONG TIME to type it all out ...

    http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/po...isode-2-a.html
    http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/po...sode-27-a.html
    http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/po...sode-28-a.html

    TEST KITS :

    Test kits are a very important part of owning a marine tank. We rely on them to let us know what our water parameters are and what needs to be adjusted within the system. I highly recommend these being in the first round of purchases made for setting up a tank, and that you always have them available to you.

    http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/po...sode-20-a.html

    RO/DI SOURCE :

    RO/DI water is what is suggested to use in our tanks. RO/DI is a filtered water that has pretty much every chemical that is in it removed through a series of filters, the result is pretty much pure water. There are many options for getting RO/DI water. You can either buy a unit for your own personal supply, or you can get it from most LFSs that sell marine equipment. The LFSs usually sell it pure or premixed with salt, at a usually lower specific gravity. If you buy from the LFS at first ... I recommend testing the water before adding it to your tank.

    This is a list of equipment that is usually recommended when setting up a new marine aquarium. It is in no way a "you HAVE to have this" article on how to set up a marine system, but a guide line for all new comers to this wonderful hobby. I hope it helps you to understand some of the equipment that we use and why we use them.

    http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/po...ode-105-a.html
    http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/po...ode-106-a.html


    Last edited by lReef lKeeper; 05-19-2008 at 09:18 PM.
    lReef lKeeper (Bobby) Admin and Reefer

    Water ...
    Custom 4x2x1 60 gallon, 40B sump

    Equipment ...
    6x54w HO T5 fixture, 300+g rated Frankenskimmer, ATO, 3 Media Reactors (1 p04, 1 N03, 1 Carbon)

    www.lmas.org





    Show people you appreciate their advice! Click the star icon under their name to add to their reputation.



  2. #2
    Our Brotha Down Unda
    V's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Terra Australis
    Posts
    6,773
    Blog Entries
    15
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 29 Times in 28 Posts
    sweet, best of both worlds, podcast vs written referance. well done!



    Vquilibrium Productions

  3. #3
    SPS Reefer / TR Admin lReef lKeeper's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Louisville, Ky
    Posts
    4,687
    Blog Entries
    6
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts
    thanks V, glad you enjoyed it !!
    lReef lKeeper (Bobby) Admin and Reefer

    Water ...
    Custom 4x2x1 60 gallon, 40B sump

    Equipment ...
    6x54w HO T5 fixture, 300+g rated Frankenskimmer, ATO, 3 Media Reactors (1 p04, 1 N03, 1 Carbon)

    www.lmas.org





    Show people you appreciate their advice! Click the star icon under their name to add to their reputation.



Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 0
    Last Post: 03-06-2008, 12:23 PM
  2. Replies: 0
    Last Post: 02-06-2008, 05:10 PM
  3. EcoTech Marine VorTech Propeller
    By Jasonanatal in forum Selling Items
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 10-30-2007, 06:31 PM
  4. Replies: 0
    Last Post: 07-23-2006, 01:30 PM
  5. Marine Aquarium Conference of North America
    By Sloppygolf in forum Additives and Chemicals
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 10-12-2005, 07:05 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •