Setting up a 150 gal. tank

[wvdeadhead]

I've kept freshwater tanks for years now so I've decided to go ahead and take the plunge and set up a saltwater tank. I've heard that the larger the salt tank is, the easier it can be. I've got plenty of room in my house for it and a local pet store is giving me a great deal on a 150 gal tank, at store cost. I've been reading as much as I can about the set up process and maintenance, but I know there are probably fine details or helpful advice out there. Here's what I plan on doing: Sand and crushed shell/coral for the base, live rocks, wet/dry filter with protein skimmer. Is there anything else that needs to be done/bought, or any helpful hints. Please let me know.

 

[reefrunner69]

to AquariumAdvice.com!!

Sand and crushed shell/coral for the base

I'd go with sand, a fine grain sand, personally I would do a 1-2" layer, the fine grains will keep it from collecting detritus as bas a a larger grain like crushed shells or crushed coral.

wet/dry filter with protein skimmer

If doing a Fiosh only tank this is fine, but you need to know ahead of time what you expect from your tank. Do you want to do a reef tank? Do you want LR as a decoration, etc...These type of tanks will require a little to alot more lighting than a FO tank.

Is there anything else that needs to be done/bought, or any helpful hints

Continue to read as much as you can, post questions when you need to and set up a quarantine tank.

 

[wvdeadhead]

Thanks. I was wanting a reef tank. I've seen some pretty nice ones around here. The local petshop I mentioned in my post has everything I need for the reef. As for the sand, do you think it would be a good idea to mix the sand and crushed coral/shell together? Maybe 3 parts sand to 1 part coral?

 

[saltcreep1025]

i agree that you should only use the sand

If you are wanting a reef tank you will need to get some pretty good lighting for a 150g tank. Not sure what your best route would be though. Metal halide maybe?

I would suggest making a refugeum instead of a wet/dry... here is a great article about what they do and how to make one. http://www.seahorse.org/library/articles/DIY/diyRefugium.shtml

Go out and get the book "the conscientous marine aquarist". god i can never remember how to spell that lol. Its a great book.

How many dead shows have ya seen???


HTH

rosstifer

 

[saltcreep1025]

oops... link doesnt work; you'll have to copy and paste it.

 

[reefrunner69]

fixed the link, it had DIY in it, which is a defined acronym, when using a link with a defined acronym you have to manually parse your urls

 

[wvdeadhead]

Only one, and it was "The Other Ones". I was a late bloomer when it came to going on tour. I'm surprised you knew what that meant. Most people think I'm a satanist or something. LoL

 

[saltcreep1025]

haha... same with me. Only seen the other ones. Doesnt help that jerry died when i was 10 =P

 

[wvdeadhead]

Yeah, I was like 14 or 15.

I've been reading about lighting on this forum and it's like everyone is speaking Greek. I understand the wattages and whatnot, but I really don't know what combinations are best. Again, I'm wanting a reef tank, so what is a good day/night setup?