Branching out to marine aquarium... please help

[astig]

i have been lurking around the forums now for the past few days, trying to learn in the setting up and care of an aquamarine habitat. been into freshwater, with cichlids (FHs', parrots, blue acana, red jewel) but since my daughters saw the clowns in a LFS here in our side of the country, they haven't stopped pestering me for their own aquarium. i'm sure in the long run i'd still be the one who's going to take care of these kasi mabilis lang naman magsawa mga kids.

anyway, i have spare tanks of (1) 75gal and (1) 35 gal size. I'm thinking of starting first with the smaller tank to be used for fish(NEMO) and live rocks only (FOWLR setup).

now to my concerns...

1. the LFS owner suggested that I buy, first, water from them since I'm new into this, instead of buying the marine salts and mixing it and preparing the water for marine setup. would that be a good way to start, since i wouldn't be needing the taxing preparatory part and checking of nitrates and ph balance and the like.

2. would it be okay to place the aquarium in the bedroom of the kids? (with aircon, windows never opened but even if it is so, there is good air movement)

3. been reading that the best substrate for this setup is grain 00 sand, but we don't have supply of that here. again, the owner suggested that I use #5 boracay pebbles, (didn't find any so I got #5 camiguin instead). would this be ok for the setup (FOWLR) plan?

4. what lights need I buy? though what's available are UV fluorescent tubes in 20w and 40w.

5. i have, existing, overhead and undergravel filters. which should i use for the marine setup?

that's it for now... but i'm sure lots of questions will still crop out... looking forward to the replies of the marine masters

[roy_gt]

welcome to reefphil astig!

IMO, use your 75g as your main tank and convert your 35g as a sump. the larger the tank, the more stable it is and also you'll be buying equipments for that small tank that has almost the same price for the large tank.

don't buy UV tubes. it will kill your micro organisms and inhabitants. if its going to ba a fowlr, 1 10k lamp and 1-2 actinic lamps will do.

don't use the undergravel filter, it will do harm than good on saltwater setups since it would be impossile for you to clean it without disturbing the sand bed. buy a skimmer and buy a couple of powerheads/submersible pumps then check out the articles here about sumps.

also i suggest if you can drill an overflow for your tank(safest i think) before starting would be great and check out topics here regarding stands, plumbing etc. so that you'll enjoy having a trouble free setup.

just wait for other inputs of the masters here hehe.

[astig]

thanks roy... so, a sump really is a must?

[roy_gt]

sobrang dami benefits ng sump kasi.

water level mo constant, wala kang micro bubbles, concealed bulky equipments, dosing of additives nadidilute muna bago bumalik sa main, customized size ng compartments ensuring it will fit all equipments, added volume of water, etc.

[jolt26]

yes, definitely make it a sump. just have the tank drilled, get a return pump. I wont recommend using UGF or OHF. Also, I will think twice before listening to an LFS owner.

1. If I had FOWLR, i'd use saltmix. you'd be free of all the worries, like ich, diseases, pathogens, etc. besides, is he selling you NSW (natural saltwater)? If you get it from LFS, you definitely have to test for nitrates. If you use saltmix, nitrates is zero. Eventually, you have to test anyways.

2. yes. but you need to cycle, and cycling smells like hell. after cycling, it is relatively odor free.

3. the best substrate is 01. 00 is useless. pebbles will only trap dirt. i suggest you go bare bottom instead.

4. you may use any lights on fowlr. suggested is blue, actinic, or 20,000k bluish white light. but everything is for viewing pleasure only. you may buy a UV sterilizer instead.

5. none. use sump with liverocks, and skimmer.

read the post of Chonglai, the sticky post just above this thread "Basic things... to start...". be sure to cycle. Be patient. I'm 99% sure, the LFS will tell you not to cycle, and just buy this and that. If you dont cycle, fishes will likely die, and may be traumatic for your kids. and yes, there is a wealth of knowledge here, just take time to read. there is always the "search" button for easy researching.

goodluck and welcome to the hobby, and to the site

[jackryan]

[lance126]

Welcome Astig

You could also look at the members tanks for reference to various setups.

Just take it slow, just research and plan. Proper planning and patience are key factors in succesfully putting up a marine system.

Good luck!

[manmarine]

[jackryan]

[lance126]

The only disadvantage i see from having the aquarium in an airconditioned room is huge temp swings when the AC is turned off.

[randell]

Welcome!

I agree with the others... 75g for main tank and 35g for sump... you may want to buy some of your stuff whenever you are in manila, particularly equipment, test kits, etc.

[manmarine]

[jackryan]