First setup

[Cois]

Hey Guys

As the title shows its my first intial setup of an marine tank ... im plannig to use a normal 3 footer tank ....

what I have is a tank internal filter and water ....

So now this is where you guys help me what do I need for an basic setup how do I start off ?? ....

Over and Out
Cois

 

[Vleis Visagie]

From Noob to Noob

You will need to get substrate & Dry Rock or Live Rock.

Next step you need to cycle your tank.

There are a few threads in DALASG's signiture, read through them.

Shweet

 

[Nella]

welcome to masa.
what setup do you plan to run.... fish only.... fish with live rock or reef tank?

 

[RiaanP]

What internal filter?
Those small plastic boxes filled with filter wool for fresh water tanks? If yes, sorry that won't work.

 

[Cois]

okey yeah got one of those but im planing on building an sump in the weekend im planning some corals and maybe later stage some fish for now basivly learning fase I want the basics I have no idea of lightning either so any help there will be welcome basicly how do I start from scratch what salt do I need how much do I need all that info ect.. what lights basicly im running normal 3 foot tank is 100 litre and then an 60 litre sump.... how do I build the sump deviders where do I place them ect basicly gues I know nothing about this at all bare with me please ...

 

[Rob13]

All depends on your budget. Personally I would start with a complete tank that is being sold by a fellow reefer such as this one:

http://www.marineaquariumsa.com/threads/red-sea-max-open-top-with-sump-cover.66142/

This gives you the opportunity to learn and get into marines without having to worry too much about all the bells and whistles that you read about. A tank like this comes fairly complete and gives you the option to stock yourself and learn along the way...

Understandably you already have a tank and would probably like to stick with it but I would suggest doing as much research as you can and then come back with a few more questions once you have an idea of what direction you are wanting to take.

 

[Rob13]

Unfortunately there is no clear list of what is right and what is wrong. Equipment and methods vary so much that's it's impossible to say do this and this and it will work. This is why I suggest taking it slow and doing more research and then coming back with specific questions about specific aspects of your build.

 

[Cois]

Okey i understand were yu coming from budget is tight so doing things slowly one thing at a time i got all the equipment so im building everythin myself so my sump and plumbing is starting this weekend then i need to get a refractometer and test kits so i can start ading the salt to my water .....
please tell me if im going why off the rails here im in learning stages .....

 

[Rob13]

That sounds like a good start. What will you be doing for filtration? I agree with @RiaanP that those small plastic boxes won't work... Maybe see if there is a secondhand skimmer that you could buy from someone on the forum... I have also used Seachem Matrix with great success so you could look into that... Filtration doesn't have to be complicated - I would try get a skimmer and then run some matrix for the bacteria to colonize.

Regarding test kits, I would hold off buying any for now... Get the tank started and cycling and get a local LFS to test your water after a few weeks... Use the money you would for test kits to rather buy some seachem stability or special blend to help with the cycling process.

 

[Rob13]

Where are you located? In a few weeks I will have about 200L of saltwater that I will be throwing out so if you had enough drums you could come and get that and use that as your start up water...

 

[Cois]

im situated in welkom freestate so what you saying is building the sump geting it perfect running then slowly add salt how do i know how much salt is enough and what must the mesurments be in the water ect ... and then what do i use for substrate ... so many questions to ask im sorry but im a complete noob

 

[Rob13]

Substrate is personal preference - some guys don't have any at all and go bare bottom... I personally like using substrate as it makes it more natural. Only bit of advice here is do not make the grain of sand too fine as it tends to blow around once you add power heads.

Salt is also personal preference. Some people like certain brands more than others but to start with I would go simple and use something like Seachem reef salt. Mix according to what the directions on the tub say and aim for a SG of 1.025-1.026... As you will have nothing in the tank you can mix your first batch of salt in the tank itself - obviously once it is up and running and has livestock in it and you do a water change then you will have to have premixed salt.

No worries at all! We were all in your position at some stage and have learnt though our own mistakes and experiences and with the help of everyone on the forum.

 

[Cois]

okey and what would you say is the best filtrastion media to use in my sump and what lightning must I have for my setup ... my plan os getting the filtrastion going and working and then ading a protein skimmer as soon as I find a bargain and then start ading the salt to my water at what stage is it safe to add live rock ect

 

[TaahirS]

I would:

Install sump
Add rocks, substrate and salt water
Add matrix to sump
Add skimmer
Add lights
Check if cycle is over
Get snails and hermit crabs if you want
Add some easy corals
Add fish


I would get a quad 39 watt T5 Light to start

 

[ShLiMi333]

Howdy appy. Welcome. I recommend you swing by my place the weekend or Fridayafter work and i can show you what not to do as the memory of almost failing is still freshly embedded in my skull. Also go to the wanted or for sale section. you'll find tons of bargains.

 

[Cois]

oh you make it sound so easy any tips on how far apart to put sump dividers and best overflow ideas ??

 

[Cois]

okey awsomenees will make n turn

 

[TaahirS]

What's the length of your sump?

 

[Cois]

60 cm

 

[TaahirS]

I'd just go for 3 20cm Chambers.

Skimmer in first chamber
Matrix in second, maybe some macro algae and Liverock
Return pump in third with maybe some activated carbon.