Startup questions
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Forum Name: General Discussion
Forum Description: Posts that don't fit in any of the other categories.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23016
Printed Date: December 14 2025 at 8:55am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Startup questions
Posted By: kdinkel
Subject: Startup questions
Date Posted: January 09 2008 at 11:35am
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I decided to post it here because I didn't know where it fits in. I have been reading as much as I can before I startup, but I just want to make sure I have what I need. I hope to start my tank cycling next week (I have read the article on getting things running quick, but will test my params to make sure). So here is my setup: 150 gallon tank - Both corners drilled with overflows
45 gallon sump - mag 12 return pump
600-900 gph protien skimmer rated for a 400 gallon tank - 800 gph pump for it.
2 aquaclear 400 gph powerheads for tank current
100 gpd ro unit (new filters and membrane)
turbotwist uv sterilizer
260 watt 48" PC
150 watt MH
refractometer
Working on live sand and rock (I have about 140 lbs of sand and 100 lbs of rock)
Here is what I eventually want in the tank (I know I need to make sure the paramaters are correct, and the rock and sand are live. I will be adding things slowly as well)
1 - Snowflake eel
1 - blue spotted ray (my rocks will be suspended to make room for the ray)
1 - Dwarf lionfish
3-4 undetermined fish (still working on best compatibilty)
Soft Corals
Do I have everything I need to handle this? What can I use for a cleaning crew since both the eel and the ray like invertabrates?
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Replies:
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: January 09 2008 at 12:24pm
| I would leave out the uv sterilizer. But otherwise it sounds like a great setup. |
Posted By: kdinkel
Date Posted: January 09 2008 at 12:39pm
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Thanks MadReefer. I was going back and forth on that one. I mave connect it but not run it constantly. I might use it if I get ich, etc. I have also heard it is a good idea to run one for a week or two when you introduce a new fish? |
Posted By: CrimsRayne
Date Posted: January 09 2008 at 12:40pm
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Sounds like a nice setup. Do you plan to have a heater or run it cool?
Do you know if the eel will have a problem with the suspended reef?
I am going to be posting a DIY for suspended reefs soon.
Talk to Dion (holdencraft33) about his spotted ray and reef too.
I love large turbo snails for cleaning up. They are too big to fit in the mouths of my ray or puffer and they do a great job. You can also train the aggressives to not go after the snails by placing empty snail shells in the tank. After enough failures of not finding a snail they stop looking.
As for other fish, obviously start with something cheap so you know the tank is stable enough for fish. If you can keep a test fish alive for a couple weeks then double check the parameters and get one of your desired fish. Take it slow and keep an eye on the tank. Other than that, have fun and happy reefing. ------------- "What we know from this hobby is too hard to share with the people who just want to look and not get wet." -Rioreefer "The Puffer Girl" Zoo freak :) West Jordan |
Posted By: kdinkel
Date Posted: January 09 2008 at 12:46pm
| Thanks Crimsrayne. I was worried about that as well, so I was thinking of adding a small rock pile in the corner directly on the sand. I heard building a small tunnel out of pvc and putting it in the rocks as a cave helps as well? That is great news on the snails, thanks. I left out the heater (sorry, it is alot to remember). I have 300 watt submersable I will put in the sump (I will add more if needed). Can I do starfish or urchins with rays/eels? |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: January 09 2008 at 1:01pm
This is a good idea I think. It should help more then it hurts. But if you use a quarantine, you shouldn't need it.
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kdinkel wrote:Posted By: CrimsRayne
Date Posted: January 09 2008 at 1:53pm
I have starfish with my ray, but the starfish hide under the rocks. One stays on the suspended reef and the other in the sand under a rock.  So I'm not sure if they have any effect on the tank overall.
I don't think I would add an urchin though as you will have scaleless fish and they can get hurt a lot easier if they don't see the urchin. ------------- "What we know from this hobby is too hard to share with the people who just want to look and not get wet." -Rioreefer "The Puffer Girl" Zoo freak :) West Jordan |
Posted By: kdinkel
Date Posted: January 09 2008 at 2:56pm
| Good point. I will give the starfish a shot. I would assume the bigger the better? Are they safe with soft corals. |
Posted By: pa_reptileman_4
Date Posted: January 09 2008 at 4:15pm
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depends on what kind of starfish you get. you can go with either a brittle star or a serpent star and you should be good... ------------- pitiful guppy tank. shane |
Posted By: David C.
Date Posted: January 09 2008 at 4:48pm
We have a snowflake moray and a lot of rock. It slithers through all of it, all the way to the top (it actually learned to feed on pellets right on the surface). If never asked him but I can't image he cares whether there's sand under them rocks he's sleepin' on. Not that a pile of rocks in the corner would hurt, of course. 
------------- self appointed "Aquarium Curator" @South Jordan Elementary 75g "Nemo's REEf" frags always welcome 80 & 125g fw |
Posted By: pa_reptileman_4
Date Posted: January 09 2008 at 5:05pm
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my snowflake likes to hide out under one big rock and that it, he has a little tunnel and he just "chills" under the one rock, of course there are more but he prefers that one. ------------- pitiful guppy tank. shane |
Posted By: Dion Richins
Date Posted: January 09 2008 at 5:25pm
I will disagree with you on that one. I run UV on both of my reefs with NO ill effects. My pod populations are just as good as anyone. I do not have any issues with ick or any other water borne illnesses. With my seahorses its almost a necessity. One system has been up for 4 years and the other is a conglomerate of several systems that was combined this last year. (Its running a massive UV system. 1/2 of all the water is constantly passing through it.) ------------- http://www.customaquariumfurniture.com" rel="nofollow - Bad "censored" Cabinets Best quality in the valley! He is one sexy bald guy, even with out a finger!(MAC) |
Posted By: kdinkel
Date Posted: January 09 2008 at 5:58pm
| Great advice guys! Thanks. |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: January 09 2008 at 6:57pm
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I just like the idea of natural filtration. So I would leave out the UV myself. I don't run any mechanical filter. Just a little carbon so mostly just the fuge and rock do a good job. I like the way my system is going.
But I'm a newbie and I'm sure Dion has more experience.
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Posted By: Dion Richins
Date Posted: January 09 2008 at 9:20pm
No way. Every day is a new learning day. I have just had some very sad experiences. As A result Ive found things that I like that have always worked for me.
As a way of disclaimer. I do use carbon reactors, phosban reactors, big skimmers, Socks when needed, Rock and deep sand beds. ------------- http://www.customaquariumfurniture.com" rel="nofollow - Bad "censored" Cabinets Best quality in the valley! He is one sexy bald guy, even with out a finger!(MAC) |
Posted By: Aquarium Creations
Date Posted: January 09 2008 at 9:33pm
when you say natural filteration do you mean like the ocean has? if so then look up in the sky and you will see the biggest uv sterilizer ever,  ------------- Aquarium Maintenance,Consulting,Custom Built Glass Aquariums Rimless/Euro,24Hr Emergency Service 8015485201 Www.UtahAquariumDoctors.com [email protected] |
Posted By: dkle
Date Posted: January 09 2008 at 10:03pm
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I am partial to ozonier. They are more expensive; but will fry any free-swimming parasites just like UV. Plus they oxidize the particulates and yellowing substances in the water. Your water will look much clearer. ------------- If you can't bedazzle them with your brilliance, baffle them with your bs! Dinhkim Le - Procrastinator extra-ordinare |
Posted By: jonafriendj
Date Posted: January 09 2008 at 10:17pm
lol exactly what I was thinking  ------------- Pleasant Grove |
Posted By: Dion Richins
Date Posted: January 09 2008 at 10:47pm
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I bought an ozonie machine a while back. One of these days I need to get off of my lazy butt and hook it up. ------------- http://www.customaquariumfurniture.com" rel="nofollow - Bad "censored" Cabinets Best quality in the valley! He is one sexy bald guy, even with out a finger!(MAC) |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: January 09 2008 at 11:02pm
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Yeah, mine has been sitting on a shelf for the last year too. Mike -------------  |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: January 10 2008 at 12:07am
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I know the sun is great. I can even cook on the sun. Using solar cooking technology I could probably come up with a great sterilizer that uses only sun energy, and a pump. But I might just leave it to opening the blinds and nothing more. |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: January 10 2008 at 9:09am
It's my understanding that UV creates O3. My tank in the window seemed to run as though it had natural sterilizing going on and I love the brilliance of coral, rock and fish lighted by direct sun. As a side note, my mom hangs clothes out in the sun to bleach them.
 ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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Posted By: Jeff Morrill
Date Posted: January 10 2008 at 9:24am
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Not to hijack the post but , where is the tank in your pic. Mark? ------------- WHAT KINDA GUM????... Give em 2 sticks. |
Posted By: jessedidthis
Date Posted: January 10 2008 at 10:50am
Why would you leave out the uv sterilizer? that doesn't make any sense. |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: January 10 2008 at 12:57pm
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Think about a flu shot. We use them to teach our immune system to fight. If you use an UV sterilizer then your fish's immune system never learns to fight. I've read this and it sounds good to me. I don't need UV sterilizers and this was just my two cents. |
Posted By: smatney
Date Posted: January 10 2008 at 3:22pm
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You would love a neptune or some sort of controlling device. We sure were happy with ours. Oh...and FYI - a flu shot will do nothing for your immunity to the toxins/bacteria in the tank. ------------- Susan Matney Farmington, UT |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: January 10 2008 at 4:50pm
That is not even close to what I was saying. It was just a comparison.
If I had a U.V. sterilizer I would not run it in my main all the time. I would hopefully never have to use it, but I would keep it on hand for the hospital setup. Just my preference.
kdinkel, I hope something I said was helpful. Like maybe the part where I said I lack experience. So you can skip everything I said if you choose.
I think you will have a great setup. Happy reefing!
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Posted By: kdinkel
Date Posted: January 10 2008 at 5:56pm
| Everyone's input is appreciated. Alot of things are opinion based and that is okay. MadReefer, I do appreciate the input. If I wasn't looking for opinion I would have just gone with what I have read. I have raised cichlids for years and years, and if there is one thing I have learned is nothing is set in stone. Just because it works for one situation, doesn't mean it is always the case. So thanks again to everyone who has helped! This gives me a great starting point! |
Posted By: dkle
Date Posted: January 11 2008 at 12:22pm
Well-said. You're a pro! I have no doubts that you will succeed in your saltwater endeavors. It always pains (and amuses) me when somebody insists that there is only one way to set up a tank. ------------- If you can't bedazzle them with your brilliance, baffle them with your bs! Dinhkim Le - Procrastinator extra-ordinare |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: January 11 2008 at 3:34pm
I had it for 2-3 yrs in Bountiful then sold everything and moved to St. George. ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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