Thinking of converting my AR620 to Marine. ideas please.

[Brennos]

Hey all

I have been toying with the idea of late, and decided I should at least do a few things to help me if I do.

One of which was to add a sump, if I decide against marine, I can still use it to hide the heater, the UV and can use to add filter bags with Ph buffers etc. I have that all sorted, and will go ahead with it soon, my next question is lighting. I decided I don't mind replacing the light hood, and filter unit (I have a canister anyways) with something a little better suited to marine. So far I have found 2 units that look suitable for my tank the Aqua One T5 Over Tank Luminaire, which I can't find on HFF website, but I assume they can get it, or the Aqua One MG 600 Metal Halide. Both of these units can be fitted to the top of my tank, and then all I need is some perspex to make a new lid, and we are good to go, my question is t5's or MH which one should I use?

After I have the light sorted, and the tank drilled, and the sump plumbed up, all i need to do is sort out a skimmer (something small), and some lighting for the cabinet, so I can see the sump, and I guess I am set to start cycling for a marine. Anything else I am missing. The only thing I can think of is a power head to create some turbulence in the tank, but otherwise it should be ok.

With the sump, and tank, and canister filter the total water volume should be around 150l with rock added, I plan to keep 2 clown fish, and maybe a shrimp, or some cleaners, and that's about it, a couple of leathers, or some corals would be nice also. Oh and the canister filter will be stripped of its media, and maybe have 6 inches of sand in the bottom of it, as Im aware that freshwater filtration is not good for marine (someone care to clarify if I am right or wrong), otherwise I ditch the canister filter all together, and lose about 7l, but could possibly add a second sump, giving me another 20l or so.

If i do ditch the canister idea, what about this http://www.hollywoodfishfarm.co.nz/prod ... php?id=943 has overflow box, and skimmer and everthing?

[suphew]

Your light will depend on what corals you want to keep, how you want to the tank look, and how much money you want to spend. T5's will give you flat light and to have a decent amount of light, you will also need to have lots of tubes (which cost lots to replace each year), on the plus side is less heat and more control over the colour. Mh light will give you glitter lines, and plenty of light from a couple of bulbs. Have you looked into LED lights?

BTW ditch the tank cover, it will just get covered in salt spray and block your light and well as trapping in heat.

all i need to do is sort out a skimmer (something small)

You need the correct (or larger) sized skimmer, would you put a little air powered box filter in an Oscar tank? It's a really common mistake to think you just buy a small cheap skimmer, which is why most marine keepers have a small cheap skimmer rotting in a box somewhere. It's a waste of money, you will just have to replace it, do it right first time.

The only thing I can think of is a power head to create some turbulence in the tank,

Minimum requirement is 20 times turn over, so for you tank you will need at least a 3000lph power head. It's not uncommon to have 50-100 times tank volume in water movement. Have a look at a Tunze nano pump or similar.

Ditch the canister, if you want a DSB put it in the sump or use a bucket, a canister is too small to be much use.

Don't forget about your live rock.

[Brennos]

Thanks, After getting quotes for everything I need, inc the Marisys skimmer, it is just not cost effective to convert this tank. I really like this tank, but cant justify another grand on top for a skimmer and lights, when I can buy a red sea max for around the same money