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Help!!
Feb 29, 2012 16:12:16 GMT -8
Post by kimberlyann818 on Feb 29, 2012 16:12:16 GMT -8
Ok so I recently started a saltwater tank. Its a 100 gallon corner tank. I currently have live sand and about 40-50 lbs of live rock(yes i know, i need to get more rock). I have been trying to do this as my budget will allow me to. I have a aqua euro hang on protein skimmer running . A friend of a friend just surprised me with a canister filter for my tank. They bought it a while ago but never used it so its still brand new. Its a eheim classic 2215 canister. I read that its for tanks up to 92 gallons. My tank is 100 gallons. Im hoping that I will still be able to use this filter as I really cant afford to buy one. Will this work?
crossing fingers
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Feb 29, 2012 16:23:20 GMT -8
Post by kimberlyann818 on Feb 29, 2012 16:23:20 GMT -8
Oh by the way this will be a fish and live rock and sand only tank
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Feb 29, 2012 19:21:07 GMT -8
Post by kimberlyann818 on Feb 29, 2012 19:21:07 GMT -8
Please any advise or help would be greatly appreciated. I am new to saltwater tanks, Ive only had freshwater up untill now so I am still trying to learn my way around how to do things.
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Feb 29, 2012 19:35:59 GMT -8
Post by detane on Feb 29, 2012 19:35:59 GMT -8
Hi Kim. You don't really need more LiveRock, but what you do need to setup to help with the filtration is Sump tank which goes underneath the main tank. Then as money and time allows you to, buy a Skimmer rated for double your tank size. So if you have a 100gl tank get a skimmer rated for 200gls. The filter your friend gave you is great for fresh water but not highly recommended for saltwater..
Feel free to scan through some of our tanks in this section. You an get some ideas and get some great advice as well. I suggest you come to our next meeting MARCH 4th. Dont worry its free, but I highly reccomend you become a member and take advantage of our discounts at Live Fish Stores and such..
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Feb 29, 2012 21:05:42 GMT -8
Post by bullitr on Feb 29, 2012 21:05:42 GMT -8
Kim you can come to the potluck too There will be a lot of people to talk to, give you advice and get some idea...
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Help!!
Mar 1, 2012 8:49:11 GMT -8
Post by rtalvarado on Mar 1, 2012 8:49:11 GMT -8
Since she's running a FOWLR, a skimmer isn't that essential right? If you are planning on keeping it a FOWLR, then I would say you can use the canister filter but just fill it with carbon and LR rubble and you should be fine (I would also add more LR but that's just me). If you are planning on adding some coral later down the road, then I agree that you should invest in a skimmer. As long as you have a good cleanup crew and a sufficient amount of LR, then I think a FOWLR tank could get by without a skimmer. Just my $0.02.
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Mar 1, 2012 11:42:35 GMT -8
Post by chefzilla on Mar 1, 2012 11:42:35 GMT -8
She "could" run the canister filter if its a FOWLR. But i would still run a skimmer. The canister will be a nitrate factory just like bio balls. And in turn if she doesnt keep up on routine water changes her tank will explode in cyno and hair algae. The skimmer will help in removing excess nutrients from the tank. Best bet is to run a sump and a oversized skimmer to help alleviate the need to always do water changes on a bi weekly basis, and just do top off. (you will still need to do water changes but not as often) The best part is if your wanting to do corals you already have the setup and can add them to your tank.
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Mar 1, 2012 20:46:03 GMT -8
Post by bullitr on Mar 1, 2012 20:46:03 GMT -8
Fish create so much waste without skimmer to produce abundance of necessary oxygen to complete the nitrogen cycle you will not be very successful. Skimmer is more important to fish only than some reef since Most soft Corals filter the water. Just my opinion...
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Mar 4, 2012 18:44:51 GMT -8
Post by kimberlyann818 on Mar 4, 2012 18:44:51 GMT -8
Ok I should have mentioned it in the first post but didn't think about it then.i have a skimmer running in the tank already . I have those blue bio balls in it. And I hooked up the eheim canister filter already. All is running fine. I have 2 damsels in the tank. With the live rock . Problem I have now is nitrate level seems to be high now. Everything else seems to be at a safe level. Are water changes the only way to bring the nitrate level down? And Ive read it is comman to happen in tanks that have been running for a long time cause the build up of debris from over feeding but my tank has only been running for about 4-5 weeks. Still in cycle process ....
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