Saltwater & Reef

Sergie · 12-21-2011, 12:49 AM

Tell me what you think. Don't mind the encrusting coralline aglae on the glass. When I bought it you couldn't even see inside of it...but now with the Foxface, I don't spend too much time with my hands in there..which by the way...I love my Foxface. Perfect fish.

Sergie · 12-21-2011, 01:05 AM

a few more

Hinds04 · 12-21-2011, 01:11 AM

The live rock acts as your filtration like it does in most other tanks. That said it looks very good. Sand bed looks very very clean

Convict2161 · 12-21-2011, 01:24 AM

I know nothing about saltwater but your tank is awesome looking!! Very nice!! So you don't need a filter? What about those skimmer things? Sorry, no knowledge of SW but looking into it for my next setup.

Sergie · 12-21-2011, 01:27 AM

Thank you! As stated above, the live rock acts as a biological filtration media with the bacteria that will grow on all surfaces. This usually accounts for 80-90% of filtration. Skimmers And other filtration media will help keep water quality under control. I just do a few more water changes than usual. Plus I'm happy understocked, while most others want to overstock.

Convict2161 · 12-21-2011, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sergie

Thank you! As stated above, the live rock acts as a biological filtration media with the bacteria that will grow on all surfaces. This usually accounts for 80-90% of filtration. Skimmers And other filtration media will help keep water quality under control. I just do a few more water changes than usual. Plus I'm happy understocked, while most others want to overstock.

Well I love your tank! Hopefully soon I will enter the SW zone! Thanks for the explanation also

PrettyFishies · 12-21-2011, 03:22 AM

Every tank needs active filtration.

You have mandarin. Does it eat prepared foods? If not, you need a refugium or other source of pods.

The sump adds water volume and give you a place to store unsightly equipment like heaters and skimmers. What about a chiller? Will all this just feed into your display?

Why have you forgone filtration?

Sergie · 12-21-2011, 03:49 AM

A filter would add surface area to where my benaficial bacteria could grow and take away particles of food or waste. But with a small bioload, my 130+ pounds of rock has enough bacteria to handle my bioload. The ocean doesnt run mechanical filtration, it gets new water constantly running through it so I do 3-4 small water changes a week taking away unwanted chemicals in my water plus 5-7 gallons of fresh top off water a week . I have a perfect CUC to where I never see feces or the like on any surface. I understand what mandarins need to eat and trust me, I do not NEED a fuge. I monitor my pod population closely and he has not even put the slightest dent in it. Both my mandarins waist and my pod population seem to be growing. I know a sump would add volume to my tank, to be honest, I have one...with a skimmer. But my intake and return pump won't run at the same time so I've gone without it. Also I have 7 fish in a 90 gallon tank so I'm fine with my volume. I think the only fish I worry about starvation with is my cleaner wrasse. The little guy has such a high metabolic rate, I'm forced to feed my tank shrimp every day.

Markaveli · 12-21-2011, 04:23 AM

What kind of llights are you using and what brand bulb

medic747 · 12-21-2011, 10:40 AM

How can u watch the pod population aren't they really small

FTMMWS · 12-21-2011, 10:53 AM

I like your tank and thought process as i only run an algae scrubber ,which is the oceans filter,,but I'm just curious as to how long its been running this way..weeks,months ,years....It is possible to do ,but i'd be a little cautious of not having some form of exporting excess ..
heres a great read on exactly what your doing
Live Rock As A Biological Filter: Hit or Myth? by Ronald L. Shimek, Ph.D.. - Reefkeeping.com

Sergie · 12-21-2011, 01:01 PM

I have a corallife 2x 150 metal halide fixture with power compacts. 1 power compact is purple purple, the other is purple blue. I don't know how old these metal halide bulbs are but I'm planning on getting some HQI 150 20k bulbs to bring out the blues. I've been running this way for almost three months. I'm keeping an eye on my tank. It's sort of been an expirement for now. If it comes down to it I'll try to fix my sump. Even then I ran it for 3 months with only a skimmer and my current equipment. Also I can see pods on my glass running around.

Hholly · 12-21-2011, 01:10 PM

Looks beautiful!

FTMMWS · 12-21-2011, 02:28 PM

3 months isn't very long,,i'd be curious to see how its going after 9 months to a year from now...I'm not criticizing you or anything ,,and i think so far it sounds and looks good

...

Sergie · 12-21-2011, 03:43 PM

Yes I know it's not very long. I'm going to ride it out...and I do have my sump I can fix if it takes a wrong turn.

zambono · 12-21-2011, 06:02 PM

Pods are small but can be seen with the naked eye. Some also grow relatively large.

Sergie · 12-21-2011, 10:20 PM

Yes, and it is to my understanding that they feed mostly in the smaller ones. Which is what my glass is plagued with. But I also see the larger ones at night. Everywhere.