Would I need all this?

[yourmove]

I'm pretty new to SW. I've recently purchased an Oceanic RR 72g aqaurium.

Lighting PC 4x96w
filter *125g wet/dry bioball rig. Will be using live rock and sand.
heater, thermostat, etc.

When I purchased this stuff the retailer said I would need in addtion to this, a skimmer and a canister filter. They tried to sell me a ehiem for like $600. I know I did the right thing by just buying the tank, as they doubled the price on some items.

Do I need a canister filter, rock, sand, wet/dry and skimmer.

[Pineapple House]

Hello yourmove, and welcome to the forums!

I split your post out from the thread, so you would be able to have your own thread for these questions :)

To answer your questions, likely the LFS is looking for some more money. A canister filter and skimmer are all up to you and what your wallet can handle. A skimmer would be highly recommended as Chemical filtration for removing most wastes that enter your water column.

I would recommend a Euro-Reef skimmer for your 72 gallon tank. Euro Reef is one of the top companies in skimmers, and IMO, they are one of the best skimmers around on the market today. www.euro-reef.com has great deals on great skimmers, so I would highly recommend you check the place out.

But, you do not 'have' to have a skimmer, although prepare to be doing more frequint water changes than you would have to do with a skimmer.

Also, I would highly recommend you ditch the bio balls, nothing but a 'nitrate factory.' It's all unwanted mechanicle filtration that will do nothing but add more nitrate to your tank. I would recommend putting live rock in the compartment where the bio balls should be. This will get you much better biological filtration, as well as provide a home to some of your future pods and worms, as well as a variety of life.

I would also recommend having a 'DSB' (Deep sand bed) consisting of live sand (Calcium Based play sands, as well as silica sands will also work as a substitute when money is a bit tight. This can be added on the bottom of the live sand, and the life in the upper substrate will eventually seed the playsand, soon making the playsand live. Southdown sand is most commonly used for this, and can be bought over at your local home depot. [Please note southdown is not availible in all areas!]) which will provide a greater depth of biological filteration. If you are interested in this, please post back and we'll give you some more information about DSB's. I'll also try and dig up Dr. Ron Shimeks article on DSB's.

PH =)

[HoopsGuru]

Add at least 4" of Home Depot (Southdown brand) playsand. This is called a DSB and will be all the filtration you need. Add live rock for aesthetics and to help with the biofiltration. The skimmer is an optional choice, but for that size tank...in order to be worthwhile you gotta go with an expensive model (shoot for $175+).

I would not purchase a canister filter. With the deep sand bed, there will be no real need for it, especially not a $600 one. The wet/dry sounds like some sort of sump set up. I would definitely use this except without the bio balls.

I realize my answers probably stir up a new batch of questions so fire away.

[phistio]

i pretty much agree with the above statements...

yes, your setup will benefit from rock and sand...

personally i would get a skimmer...

and you won't need the canister filter...sump/wet/dry should be sufficient.

[yourmove]

Thanks for all your help.

I've read up on DSB's, including Dr.S's.

I find it reasonable and will go that route.

I have 60lbs of arag-alive and will purchase southdown play sand for the base. How much more do you suppose I would need to achive a hearty DSB?

As for the sump/wet/dry filter I have, I will use live rock as opposed to bio-balls.

As for the sump, how much rock, lighting and should I also have a sand bed here? Could it be deep enough and still hold enough rock?

[yourmove]

One other thing!

If I have a skimmer for chemical filtration and rock and a DSB for biological filtration, do I rely on pre filters only for mechanical?

[Pineapple House]

I have 60lbs of arag-alive and will purchase southdown play sand for the base. How much more do you suppose I would need to achive a hearty DSB?

As for the sump, how much rock, lighting and should I also have a sand bed here? Could it be deep enough and still hold enough rock?

I would estimate you would need a good 150lbs of substrate or more (total) to achieve a 4" DSB in your tank. Maybe a bit more if posible.

For the sump, I would try to fill it with AS MUCH live rock as posible! Try to fill up every area posible. Lighting is not an issue with the live rock. Many of the organisms will do fine with no lighting. Polyps, rock boring clams, etc. will need lighting, but they aren't the main purpose for having this live rock in your sump.

PH =)

[phistio]

what "pre-filters" are you referring to? only thing you need is some sort of floss to catch un-eaten food, or other particles large enough to be trapped.

[HoopsGuru]

No prefilters needed, your cleanup and detrivore crew will take care of pretty much everything. I'm not personally a fan of always running floss because it traps debris and increases your nitrates. I only use it on occasion to "polish" the water.

[yourmove]

what "pre-filters" are you referring to? only thing you need is some sort of floss to catch un-eaten food, or other particles large enough to be trapped.

My tank is reef ready and the "in" tube has a foam filter that slips over a honeycomb tube. Also, my sump has a foam type pre-filter as well.


You guys think I should run without these? Will particles build up to rapidly in these?

[phistio]

i use only one layer of floss to trap particles, but i replace it once a week, i buy it in big sheets, and cut it as i use it. it rests on top of an egg crate just beneath the overflow.

[yourmove]

i use only one layer of floss to trap particles, but i replace it once a week, i buy it in big sheets, and cut it as i use it. it rests on top of an egg crate just beneath the overflow.I'm not exactly sure what you mean. Do you have a corner box?

[stang69]

"in" tube has a foam filter that slips over a honeycomb tube. Also, my sump has a foam type pre-filter as well.


IMO the sponges that go over the gridwork in your overflow should be chucked also unless your vagarious on keeping them clean. They will trap the yuck that the fish don't eat and produce. In turn nitrates. Did you get the floats that go into the overflow also? I have found these are good to keep in makes the noise level lower but..... Keep the base of them clean of any coralline. These shut the flow off to the sump in the event of dropping water levels. If they are not clean they will continue to let water flow down and that results in a wet floor. Good luck on your venture and keep us posted as to the progress.

HTH :lol:
Jeff

[phistio]

i have a "reef ready" system with a built in overflow. and i pitch the floss once a week.