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01/18/2018, 12:19 AM | #1 |
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Starting a new low tech marine tank . Need opinions.
Hi Folks. Newbie to the forum and saltwater here. Been in freshwater for a while.. after considering many options, I am going for a low tech marine set-up in a 40 breeder.
I am in a country where saltwater reefkeeping/fishkeeping is just picking up. Would appreciate your input on these LR that a vendor has. He says it's Florida LR. Are these good enough rocks for me to start things off ? Does it look porous enough ? And , could someone please enlighten me on what are the green n pink growths which are already there. I understand they are some type of corals but I don't have any understanding besides that. Sent from my SM-N920G using Tapatalk |
01/18/2018, 03:21 AM | #2 |
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The rock looks fine. As for the growth on it the pink/purple looks like corraline algae, the other looks like remaining skeleton of a an encrusting coral, nothing to worry about.
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01/18/2018, 05:06 AM | #3 |
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01/18/2018, 05:42 AM | #4 |
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What do you mean by "low tech"? Do you mean minimal equipment?
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90g Mixed Reef |
01/18/2018, 09:14 AM | #5 |
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Yes, planning on minimum equipment. No sump. Hob filter and a hob skimmer. Have seen some ppl skip the skimmer band go for 2 hobs. Iam still thinking about my lights as led reef lights are pretty expensive here.
Setup is going to FOWLR. I ll be having softies / anemones at best.. no sps or lps even.. I am quite new to saltwater and I am planning to learn how to manage with this first. Planning to keep some damsels , wrasses and cuc. Another reason is that there are frequent power outages, sometimes for hours. Planning on a battery backup for this setup as my generator backup is pretty much utilized, consumption wise. Will be getting testing equipments for sure. I am open to suggestions. Sent from my SM-N920G using Tapatalk |
01/18/2018, 10:25 AM | #6 |
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Keep in mine Anemones need lots of light.
If you have room, i'd really recommend a sump. Even though it's not needed its a great place to hide things like heaters and various medias
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Current tank: 90G mixed reef. Current Tank Info: 90 gallon |
01/18/2018, 10:51 AM | #7 |
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A single black box from amazon should be enough for your 40. The LR kinda looks like Fiji rocks
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01/18/2018, 11:01 AM | #8 |
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You'll need at a minimum:
Heat Light Flow If you have minimal bio load and sufficient natural filtration (sand & live rock) you can get away with no filtration or skimmer. Frequent water changes will be a lifestyle to keep parameters in check and manual topping off from evaporation isn't difficult either. All equipment beyond the above is meant for simplicity and efficiency.
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90g Mixed Reef |
01/18/2018, 11:31 AM | #9 | |||
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First of all, I just want to say Thank You. What a great bunch of guys here. Thank you for all your inputs. Much appreciated !!
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On the water front, I have access to RO filter at home. Unfortunately, no RO/DI where I am at. Is Distilled water a viable option or is RO good enough ? |
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01/18/2018, 11:36 AM | #10 |
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Where are you located? Ro is better than nothing but if you can find a DI that would be more ideal
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
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Current tank: 90G mixed reef. Current Tank Info: 90 gallon |
01/18/2018, 11:51 AM | #11 |
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Would have to look into it. Amazon doesn't list anything. I am in Manipur, India. We are just coming out of the dark ages here.. lol
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01/18/2018, 11:59 AM | #12 |
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Does your water utility publish a water quality report? There are a few lucky people in the US that get away with having clean water (generally surface water fed downhill from mountains where no mining has occurred). That can tell you how important RO/DI is for ya.
The rock looks decent too. Any details on the rock? If you bought now, put it under some light. By the looks of it, you'll find live coral still on the rock. |
01/18/2018, 12:35 PM | #13 |
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Rock looks decent, though I'd scrape off that brownish sponge in the first picture.
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01/18/2018, 06:26 PM | #14 |
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I did a 40 breeder with a HOB filter and no skimmer. I had one MP40 powerhead. I used a Current Orbit Marine LED. Not the expensive pro version just the standard one. They are programable with a wireless remote. The tank did very well and I could keep SPS and LPS corals. Good luck.
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72x24x16 115 gallon under construction Current Tank Info: 40 gallon reef |
01/18/2018, 11:43 PM | #15 | |||
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01/19/2018, 12:28 AM | #16 |
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Forgot to mention that we don't have a water quality report. Tap water here is not drinkable. However, water is pretty soft here. I do have access to distilled water. Should I go for RO or distilled ?
The guy who has the only marine tank in my area is using filtered water. He has a green carpet anemone, some damsels and hermit crabs. That system has been running for more than a year. |
01/19/2018, 01:25 AM | #17 |
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look like nice coraline covered rocks! great start to seed your other rocks
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01/19/2018, 09:05 AM | #18 | |
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I ran a skimmerless 40g lps reef years ago . . . robzilla offers good advice, keep those 3 smooth and you will be fine. As for your water, if you can - buy an rodi unit. You can sell water to the other guy, to help cover the cost. Lots easier to make it. where are you from? |
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01/19/2018, 10:15 AM | #19 | |
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That's a shame about your water standards. Glad you won't let that stop you though! |
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01/20/2018, 02:00 AM | #20 | ||
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