VAreef
Reefing newb
Hi everyone. I recently decided to set up a 65 gallon reef aquarium. I had a 55 FO saltwater about 10 years ago and wow things have changed alot since then. After reading tons of posts on here I came up with some conclusions.
I think I made a mistake on my initial setup. I ran the tank for a week with about 3 inches of substrate, water, and a biowheel filter. I used the cycle brand to help boost things a little. I then added 3 yellow tail damsels and a 13lb base rock. The sales guy at my fish store said they would be good to cycle the tank. I'm finding with more research that the filter needs to go and I need ALOT more rock. I was thinking 40 lbs live rock and 40 lbs base. I'm buying a metal halide light set-up today and some more rock. Will adding that much rock kill the fish? Should I add the rock a few at a time or just all at once?
My biggest problem is filtering and location of filter systems. I'm confused on what type of filter system to get. I now want to have all my equipment in the cabinet under the tank which is 36"W X 18"H X 18"D. Is this going to be enough room for a sump and protien skimmer that can handle my tank or do I need to build seperate cabinet? I originally thought the biowheel and a hang on tank protein skimmer would be fine.
For my current flow through the tank will the filter set-up under the tank give enough or do I need to also install powerheads?
Instead of a sump is it possible to use canister filters and a protein skimmer in the cabinet under the tank. I'm a little worried about overflow problems with a sump.
Thanks in advance for any help and advice. I'm really psyched about setting up this aquarium and want to do it right just getting a little overwhelmed with all the choices.
Brian in VA
Tank: 36W X 18D X 24H
PH: 8.4
Ammonia: .5
Nitrite: .25
Nitrate: 0
I think I made a mistake on my initial setup. I ran the tank for a week with about 3 inches of substrate, water, and a biowheel filter. I used the cycle brand to help boost things a little. I then added 3 yellow tail damsels and a 13lb base rock. The sales guy at my fish store said they would be good to cycle the tank. I'm finding with more research that the filter needs to go and I need ALOT more rock. I was thinking 40 lbs live rock and 40 lbs base. I'm buying a metal halide light set-up today and some more rock. Will adding that much rock kill the fish? Should I add the rock a few at a time or just all at once?
My biggest problem is filtering and location of filter systems. I'm confused on what type of filter system to get. I now want to have all my equipment in the cabinet under the tank which is 36"W X 18"H X 18"D. Is this going to be enough room for a sump and protien skimmer that can handle my tank or do I need to build seperate cabinet? I originally thought the biowheel and a hang on tank protein skimmer would be fine.
For my current flow through the tank will the filter set-up under the tank give enough or do I need to also install powerheads?
Instead of a sump is it possible to use canister filters and a protein skimmer in the cabinet under the tank. I'm a little worried about overflow problems with a sump.
Thanks in advance for any help and advice. I'm really psyched about setting up this aquarium and want to do it right just getting a little overwhelmed with all the choices.
Brian in VA
Tank: 36W X 18D X 24H
PH: 8.4
Ammonia: .5
Nitrite: .25
Nitrate: 0