Yoshi's Set Up!! **R.I.P. Yoshi**

[goldielocke76]

I don't have a sump. I don't think it necessarily makes things easier, I wouldn't use the word easier. It's a more complicated set up, but it's extra water volume, extra filtration, and a place to hide heaters, but I honestly don't really have that option atm.
Get 2 smaller Koralias, anything below the 550, over one large one.
Skimmers: Reef Octopus, Remora, someone else can suggest others. I'm buying this one http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_viewitem. ... ntent=ACRM when I have the moneys.

Ok, thank you for the info =)

= / the water source has me sad. I am not sure what to do. I want to do what's best, but for such a big tank, I don't know if it's financially feasible. If you put a filter on the faucet, and have the tap filtered before it goes in the tank, then treat the water with Prime, does that make it any better?? I could be a RO system on my kitchen sink, but I would have to add the water in 5 gallon increments....that would take a long time...

[sevenyearnight]

I think a decent alternative thing to RO/DI is a PUR 3 stage. I have one for our drinking water, and for the kitties, weenies, and ferrets drinking water. The tap water here is supposedly the "best tasting tap water in the nation", it gives everyone the runs unfiltered.

[goldielocke76]

I think a decent alternative thing to RO/DI is a PUR 3 stage. I have one for our drinking water, and for the kitties, weenies, and ferrets drinking water. The tap water here is supposedly the "best tasting tap water in the nation", it gives everyone the runs unfiltered.

Eeeeek. LOL. Well, I have to say that Campbell water isn't bad at all, not after coming from Hollister; where you have to chew the water. I will look in to getting one of these....do you have a long water changing hose and if you do, does that work in conjunction with the PUR 3?

[sevenyearnight]

You can't hook anything up to a PUR. It's just what I use for drinking water. The spout is a rectangular slot on the bottom of a odd sized capsule.
The best you could do is sit a bucket under it, use a smaller width clear tube to syphon into your salt mixing vat.

[goldielocke76]

You can't hook anything up to a PUR. It's just what I use for drinking water.
The best you could do is sit a bucket under it, use a smaller width clear tube to syphon into your salt mixing vat.

/facepalm

So if I use tap, how do I control the diatom/algae bloom later on? Ugh. This water conflict is distressing. I want to do this tank, and I want to do it right, but the water problem is bothering me. Can it be done with filtered tap?

[sevenyearnight]

Why would you only be able to do five gallons at a time with RO/DI? Does it have some kind of limiter you have to reset?

[edmlfc1]

I used a 55g barrel for my ro/di water. Once I had enough water for the wc I added the salt. I also had a heater and a powerhead in the barrel to mix it well. With ro/di I never used prime. I'm not understanding why you can only do 5 gallons at a time. Before I had the barrel I went to walmart and purchased a nice size trash can, filled it with water and let it sit for a few days to make sure it didn't leak. I believe it was a 15g trash can, Or you can use one of those plastic tubs for storage, I've used that before also. I kept my barrel close to my tank and when I was ready for the wc I attached the powerhead to a hose and pumped it in.

[goldielocke76]

I was told by my step dad that the unit can only purify 5 gallons at a time.../scratches head. That's why I said that. If that's not the case, then I will get one installed in the apartment. At least I know I can take it with me when we are ready to move. No wonder why everyone says these tanks are so expensive to set up the first time around....LOL

[edmlfc1]

All the equipment adds up quick.

[goldielocke76]

All the equipment adds up quick.

Shoot I'll say. Well, I just picked up the tank about 2 hours ago and did more running around. Came home, cleaned it up a bit (he put water in it and let it sit for a few days) and now have gotten it in to it's spot in the house... (sure does make my itty bitty living room look even more itty bitty hahahaha)

Story behind the tank: it's a fairly new tank. The original owner bought it, set it up, and then had to go out of town. Came back and it was just a mess. So the guy who I got it from, bought it off of him, cleaned it all up again, to turn around and sell it. It's in great shape, and it turns out it's a 55 gallon show tank. Holds about 62 gallons though. I haven't decided on whether or not I will keep the stand, (it's a little on the short side I thought) and all in all it stands about 44 inches tall (tank and stand).

I really wish we had a working chat room. Just to talk things out with someone about a FOWLR tank, I went down there to talk to someone about getting it all set up. What a mistake that was. Apparently, "all marine tanks need a sump" and I would only need about 15-20 lbs of LR and with ONE GSP in the tank, I would still need to do weekly water changes or else I was looking at 40-50% Nitrates. $*@#*&$%@

I'm a little frustrated at this point. I keep finding conflicting information. I wish our Library was working. My ultimate goal with this set up is to get a tank and whatever it is that I need to only do about a 10-15% water change once a month (I don't even know if that is feasible). That would be ideal, but I know that nothing is ever ideal.

Any thoughts or suggestions? Please don't hesitate to speak up. =)

[xrayjeeper83]

a 55 doesnt have to have a sump I dont believe. I would put close to 70lbs of LR in there though. Atleast 1.5lbs per gallon.

[goldielocke76]

a 55 doesnt have to have a sump I dont believe. I would put close to 70lbs of LR in there though. Atleast 1.5lbs per gallon.

Seven said no refugium or sump....how do you get away with not doing tons of water changes though? Protein skimmer? Idk. Researching in the hardest most difficult part. There are tons of strong opinions on the net...

[xrayjeeper83]

The LR is a great filter. RTR or PP can explain it

Ya te opinions on the internet can be very confusing. Thats why I come here with any questions.

[goldielocke76]

The LR is a great filter. RTR or PP can explain it

Ya te opinions on the internet can be very confusing. Thats why I come here with any questions.

I am afraid that I have so many questions I will irratate/upset tons of people I already feel like I do so already. I like to learn things, but I was told constantly as a child that I asked too many questions and that I needed to keep my mouth shut more often LoL. I just don't want people to think I am not doing research-- I am, but at this point, so many conflicting opinions and information has me frustrated.

I have a light fixture that attaches on the sides of the tank, but the problem is, now I can't put the glass canopy on my tank...is that normal?

[sevenyearnight]

You totally don't have to do tons of water changes. That person was bsing you. The bacteria in the live rock is very efficient.

Here is a simple FOWLR set up:
Dry aragonite sand, rinse it thoroughly.
Place in tank, place some plastic sheets over it, fil it with your premixed saltwater.
Place your 2 smaller circulation pumps in, position them to your liking.
Quality heater.
You can start out with about 40-50 lbs of cured live rock, and add some base rock. A tiny single GSP in such a sized tank, that would be enough until the rest of the rock seeds.
That's about it, until you get a skimmer.