The Puffer Forum

Over the next couple of weeks, I'll be moving the 75 to my BF's apartment and getting it all setup for Paris.

Now yes, this should have happened months ago, but its been a rough winter around here for us so there was never time, and one we decided I was moving it didn't make sense to tear down the freshwater, reset it up as marine, then tear down again just to move it.

Now I'm not too sure what to do for filtration or lighting. Filtration first:

The basic plan is to set up the 75 plus a sump/fuge that holds about 20 gallons and chaeto. I keep going back and forth on the sump, but I think I will definately set it up. So a total of about 95 gallons, minus room for rock. The return pump on the sump is a Mag 7, I have it currently setup with a home made "spraybar" return in a 'U' shape, I'll probably change it to a simple powerjet type of output so it has more power behind it (ever turn in the output reduces the flow significantly), probably with one of those cheap "wavemaker" attachments that spin around to spread out the direction of the flow. Oh, that means I need to order more tubing and crap... better get on that!

I also have a Coralife Needlewheel Skimmer, the one for up to 65 gallons. I know its not big enough for long term, but it will work for a while and add to the water movement. That's been running on her current tank, so its all broken in.

Would you suggest adding more water flow in addition to the above? On hand, I have several AC300's, AC500's and a 802 powerhead.. I was planning on adding the powerhead for sure but I'd like to avoid using the HOB filters.. both for salt spray and I just hate waterfall noise. Though with the sump, the main tank level will stay up so no worry about waterfall noise.. hmmm. I have everything on hand to eventually change a AC 500 over to a HOB fuge, but with the chaeto in the sump I dont' know if I'll bother.. maybe I'll try mangroves at some point.



Now, lighting. Okay, I know, burrfish and corals are probably a bad mix. But I either have to get rid of my corals or they are going in with Paris, I am limited to 3 tanks and the other ones are fresh and brackish.

The few corals I have are mostly mushrooms, and just a few frags of zoas, one pumping xenia, simple things like that. I'm hoping she won't munch on them (she's pretty good about only chewing on things I offer her, she leaves her macro algae alone, etc). If she shows too much interest (especially I'm thinking in the xenia), I'll take them to some store and drop them off.

But my lighting.. I've never really been able to figure out lighting for marine stuff. Its so vague. I have a 130w (2x65w) CF strip for the 75 that was for my plants, if I pile up the rock high enough and place the corals towards the top, do you think this will be enough? The plan is half the tank open for swimming room and some fake plants, the other half a pile of live rock, macroalgae and the corals. I'll have to order a new bulb, the one in it is for freshwater plants. And probably new versa tops, the ones on it are sort of clouded and I can't get them to clear up.. its like the glass itself is foggy, not a build up.

If this won't be enough light, I *could* add an additional 55w strip light above the side of the tank with the corals.. If that still won't be enough, I'll just avoid the corals completely.

I would like to grow some macro algae for her as well.. I've put a couple of clumps of some weird type of branchy, bushy Caulerpa in her q-tank and she loves to snuggle up in it after eating, like its a big pillow. So I'm hoping this is enough light to keep what I have established on the live rock growing strong.. its currently under 55w of 50/50 CF lighting in a 29g. The 75 is a lot deeper though, which has me worried about getting enough light. I keep going back and forth on this issue as well, should I just grow the Caulerpa I already have and let that spread to the new base rock, since she likes it so much, or should I try to grow the corals as well...

The corals are only frags at the moment, but they are gorgeous colors and I hate to get rid of them. I'm thinking this setup isn't ideal for them (messy puffer fish who might also chew on them).. should I try it and see how it goes or just get rid of them now and save them from a nasty death?

I'd at least try the mushrooms and although more current would be good for "standard" marine tanks, I think your burrfish will be happy with what you have planned (including the power head). Personally I'd test the other frags, and if the fish starts eating entire frags bring them to a store or another hobbyist.

Since they often occur in sea grass beds and lagoons, I believe a tank with various macroalgae would be loved by Paris.

The light may be a problem at the bottom due to the larger depth of this tank. For mushrooms and zoas it should be sufficient, but mangroves will need much light and need some space above the water.

Thank you Corvus. I don't think I can providing lighting for seagrasses (I tried them in the 29 and it failed horribly under 55w CF) but I bought some fake ones for her to play in and also have the real caulerpa I can work with, she loves that stuff.

If I did the mangroves, they'd be in a HOB type of mini-fuge, not in the tank.

I'll give it a try, and we'll see what we see!

I can't wait to see!

If you're concerned about the waterfall sound, keep in mind that sumps can be noisy!
Also, it sounds like the skimmer is an in-tank? You could put it in the sump, no?

I already have this sump going, and its quite quiet, as long as I don't let the pump vibrate up against the side of the glass. Just a very simple, homemade one. Thanks for the warning though!

The skimmer is a HOB or in tank I think, whichever you want. I've been using it as HOB. It could go on/in the sump, but it would be tricky to get at it through the stand doors and I'd rather have the skimmer up top where I can easily access it and empty the cup.