How much will it cost to start a salt water tank?

[Rscomia]

Well I have never really looked for rubble for sale about 70 lbs of what I bought was just rubble but I have seen the buy it and crush it method yes basically in that order is how it works if you have your skimmer in the sump it goes through it to

 

[roydooms]

Well I have never really looked for rubble for sale about 70 lbs of what I bought was just rubble but I have seen the buy it and crush it method yes basically in that order is how it works if you have your skimmer in the sump it goes through it to

The skimmer with the LR and LS?

Do you have a step by step link or something for your DIY overflow?

Thanks for your patience

 

[Elitehunter1]

Just for a rough cost estimate I am about $300 in and I still need at least another 60lbs of rock. Also I don't have any of the fancy equip just the basics

 

[roydooms]

Just for a rough cost estimate I am about $300 in and I still need at least another 60lbs of rock. Also I don't have any of the fancy equip just the basics

I don't even want to think about how much I'm going to spend on this setup. Lol

I'm merging a couple of my FW tanks to cut electricity cost. I know it'll be more once I got the SW running. Plus the wasted water using RO/DI.

 

[Rscomia]

The skimmer with the LR and LS?

Do you have a step by step link or something for your DIY overflow?

Thanks for your patience

That is where mine is just because I am limited on space some people will build another chamber just for the skimmer I didnt do a step by step video (wished now I had) I did a google search and looked at several of them and put one together for my needs

 

[roydooms]

That is where mine is just because I am limited on space some people will build another chamber just for the skimmer I didnt do a step by step video (wished now I had) I did a google search and looked at several of them and put one together for my needs

I was told to have a 20g sump. Can I get a bigger one? To have more space and water volume.

 

[roydooms]

Do I need a chemical filtration? Does it go in the sump as well? To absorb phosphate or something?

 

[Rscomia]

20 gallon is enough but no reason why you couldn't have bigger If you are like most of us a bigger DT is always in your future so a bigger sump would be nice then

 

[Rscomia]

Do I need a chemical filtration? Does it go in the sump as well? To absorb phosphate or something?

I have to bags of ammo chips and carbon in mine and just recently added a phosphate sponge because I couldnt get my algae under control

 

[roydooms]

I have to bags of ammo chips and carbon in mine and just recently added a phosphate sponge because I couldnt get my algae under control

The chaeto wasn't enough to absorb phosphates in your tank? How often do you change your carbon? Is it a necessity in a SW tank? Because in FW we usually just use it to absorb tannins, extra medication, and to make the water clear(usually for non-planted tanks).

 

[Tomchong22]

In saltwater there is no need for chemical or mechanical filtration. If you have a sump with a deep sand bed macro algae and good flow and a good amount of live rock in the dt. The only filter you need is just water changes every week or two weeks. Everything else is just to prolong or keep up without doing weekly waterchanges. Stick with a sump and get a good protein skimmer and you will be set. Don't wast money on carbon or stuff like that.

 

[Rscomia]

My chaeto is still small so I think it was not enough at this point I have used the same carbon now for about 4 months rinsing it weekly with every water change I use it for a clearer water and have heard it can asborb smells from the tank but I dont know that it is a necessity

 

[Tomchong22]

My chaeto is still small so I think it was not enough at this point I have used the same carbon now for about 4 months rinsing it weekly with every water change I use it for a clearer water and have heard it can asborb smells from the tank but I dont know that it is a necessity

I would only use it like once a month or every three months when you want to "polish up the water" such as color and smell.

 

[roydooms]

In saltwater there is no need for chemical or mechanical filtration. If you have a sump with a deep sand bed macro algae and good flow and a good amount of live rock in the dt. The only filter you need is just water changes every week or two weeks. Everything else is just to prolong or keep up without doing weekly waterchanges. Stick with a sump and get a good protein skimmer and you will be set. Don't wast money on carbon or stuff like that.

How about fish waste? Suck it out during PWCs? Macro algae? Is it ok to use a skimmer that is rated for 220g in a 55g?

 

[Rscomia]

In saltwater there is no need for chemical or mechanical filtration. If you have a sump with a deep sand bed macro algae and good flow and a good amount of live rock in the dt. The only filter you need is just water changes every week or two weeks. Everything else is just to prolong or keep up without doing weekly waterchanges. Stick with a sump and get a good protein skimmer and you will be set. Don't wast money on carbon or stuff like that.

The reason I use a filter is to catch some of the bigger stuff out of the water and it is alot easier to rinse then chaeto although I have noticed with time it is alot cleaner when rinsing now then when I first started my tank

 

[roydooms]

My chaeto is still small so I think it was not enough at this point I have used the same carbon now for about 4 months rinsing it weekly with every water change I use it for a clearer water and have heard it can asborb smells from the tank but I dont know that it is a necessity

Don't you have to replace carbon after a month because they can only absorb so much and stop absorbing?

 

[roydooms]

The reason I use a filter is to catch some of the bigger stuff out of the water and it is alot easier to rinse then chaeto although I have noticed with time it is alot cleaner when rinsing now then when I first started my tank

A lot cleaner than before you added the filter media?

 

[Rscomia]

How about fish waste? Suck it out during PWCs? Macro algae? Is it ok to use a skimmer that is rated for 220g in a 55g?

Before I do my pwc I go through with a turkey baster and try to blow of the rocks and stuff so it is suspended in the water and easier to suck out I have always heard to get a bigger skimmer rating then what your tank is but I dont know if you can get to big of one

 

[roydooms]

Before I do my pwc I go through with a turkey baster and try to blow of the rocks and stuff so it is suspended in the water and easier to suck out I have always heard to get a bigger skimmer rating then what your tank is but I dont know if you can get to big of one

The one rated for 220g probably won't fit in a 20g sump. Where can you buy a cheap but good skimmer? Where did you get yours?

 

[Rscomia]

A lot cleaner than before you added the filter media?

Speaking in terms of my filter it is cleaner now then the first week or two of my tank running