Converting to Salt and Needing Advice and Opinions Please

[msumpter87]

I have been keeping freshwater tanks for many years and now I am looking to find a new challenge in fishkeeping. Saltwater is something that I have always wanted to do and I am finally prepared to do it but I wish to take my time and do it right. I am going to start with a fish and live rock tank first and if I am successful I might move on to corals later on. But I am getting ahead of myself, currently I have a drilled 75 gallon tank with a full sump system. The pump I have to run this sump is a marineland maxi jet 4500. In its current configuration it will pump around 3-400 gph. I am also looking to buy a protein skimmer and I was looking at something like the marineland marine pro 100. I will be putting this in the sump. I also have a 250 watt heater and can add a powerhead if anybody thinks that might be a good idea. My first question will be does anybody see any problems with this configuration?? Like I said I want to do this right. Any and all advice is appreciated, I have never done salt but from the research I have done I think this might work. This tank is currently empty and will remain that way until I have everything in place. I have other questions but I want to get my basic setup out of the way first. Thanx in advance.

 

[Caliban07]

Hi msumpter. Sorry I don't have answers, but I am also looking to make the transition like yourself so i will be following this thread. Hope you don't mind if I chip in with my own questions along the way? Otherwise I will start my own thread.

 

[duromega]

if you have a drilled tank, sump and return pump you're ready to go with a FOWLR (fish only with live rock) I'm not sure about the return pump 3~400 gph may not be enough depending on your overflow

my return pump is 1200 gph but it all depends on your overflow and yes you need a skimmer, but when you get into corals you will need a good skimmer no the one you mentioned

 

[msumpter87]

Thanx for the feedback, i will adjust flow rate and look into a different skimmer.

 

[duromega]

for fish only tank you can run any skimmer, when you get into reefing you will upgrade
lights, skimmers, reactors and possibly your tank

 

[msumpter87]

I went out and traded for a return pump with a flow rate of 600 gph. So hopefully that will work just fine. Im not sure when i will start adding corals and get into reefing. My plans was to get the basics down first and have this tank running for at least a year. My next question is what would be the best substrate?? I read people use crushed coral, argonite, all live sand and even pool filter sand. What would be my best choice?? I have used pool sand in the past in my fw tanks but do not know if its safe to use in sw tank.

 

[duromega]

I went out and traded for a return pump with a flow rate of 600 gph. So hopefully that will work just fine. Im not sure when i will start adding corals and get into reefing. My plans was to get the basics down first and have this tank running for at least a year. My next question is what would be the best substrate?? I read people use crushed coral, argonite, all live sand and even pool filter sand. What would be my best choice?? I have used pool sand in the past in my fw tanks but do not know if its safe to use in sw tank.

I wouldn't use pool filter sand, go to your LFS and get some "Live Sand"

 

[msumpter87]

I got 40lbs of the exact same sand new in the package off craigslist for cheap from somebody so im good to go on my substrate. Next purchase will be a protein skimmer. I am hoping to have this tank up and running by the end of next month.