zuri08 Posted December 5, 2011 Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 i already have filters lights etc but what do i need to have just a basic saltwater tank i have external filters or can have a sump i just want some corals and 2 clowns can i use the manukau harbors water as thats the closest place for saltwater to me i have a spare 200litre tank and want to try this saltwater out any advise would be great i just would like a list of exactly what i would need Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zayne Posted December 5, 2011 Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 Firstly a sump is the way to go, what lights do you have? you would need coral rock, some wave makers and a heater and water to start your tank cycling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zuri08 Posted December 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 have a ballast and going to get some blue tubes. Can get coral rock and have heater so external filter no good on saltwater tank if I get already established water from a mate will thta help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mirio Posted December 5, 2011 Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 A 200L tank sounds perfect, good size. May also allow for maybe a smaller tang eg : Scopas.. It sounds like you'll have most of what you need already, not too sure about the Manukau harbor NSW question, i've never collected NSW. One thing I would highly reccomend is getting an overflow on that tank and having a sump if you didn't have so already. You won't regret having a protein skimmer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buzzy Posted December 5, 2011 Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 the best thing you can do if your able to have a sump is buy a decent skimmer rather than the external canisters. get a couple of decent t5's as you'll need them at a minimum if you want to keep corals, and a pump or two for flow. start off with the easy soft corals and do lots of research before making any impulse purchases research, research research, then ask lots of questions :thup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the-obstacle Posted December 5, 2011 Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 A skimmer is a must. I'd be concerned about water quality inside the Manukau but that's just a hunch not anything based on science. You'll want to change about 20-30L a week for a 200L tank (+sump) so it'd be good to know you could get that easily. Other than that it sounds like you're all set. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted December 5, 2011 Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 you forgot an essential ingredient patience Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mirio Posted December 5, 2011 Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 you forgot an essential ingredient patience Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zuri08 Posted December 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 cool thanks heaps ive been doing some research and im just wanting a basic set up but im not too good with sumps etc but can figure that out what do u recommend as a start like coral wise etc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the-obstacle Posted December 5, 2011 Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 leathers, softies or mushrooms but all will be about 3 months after you start the tank. I have a huge grape coral which is growing rapidly at the moment and it's very easy to care for and hardy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zuri08 Posted December 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 what about if i get existting water etc from a friend and then add in my corals with filter media etc from him so basically reusing his tank water and creating a new enviroment? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zayne Posted December 5, 2011 Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 what about if i get existting water etc from a friend and then add in my corals with filter media etc from him so basically reusing his tank water and creating a new enviroment? I guess you could but it may be quite dirty, i suggest getting a bag or bucket of salt of the net and making your own ASW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the-obstacle Posted December 6, 2011 Report Share Posted December 6, 2011 The filter media in a saltwater case is the live rock. You'll want about 20KGs for a 200L tank and if you can get that much and it comes with the water already cycled with it and you've got a skimmer and the lights to look after whatever corals you're having then you can start on day 1 but chances are you'll still trigger a mini cycle so hold off on adding fish for a few weeks/months. I made the mistake of adding fish with a anemone (actually, a splitting one so now have 2 anemone) to 6 month cycled live rock with original water (essentially what you're suggesting) and I've been doing daily 10L water changes for the last 4 weeks. I've got my fingers crossed that I'm not going to lose the nems but it could still go either way. The fish and corals are really happy. I'm living proof that patience is a good idea. I invested in a RO-DI filter unit and make my own ASW as I got sick of driving to the beach every day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Posted December 12, 2011 Report Share Posted December 12, 2011 I would use the 200L tank as a sump Buy/build a 500mm cube Buy a PAR bulb (RapidLED.com) Buy live rock off someone on the forum so you dont have to wait months (put most in sump) Take the water to the local fish shop to test, once no nitrates, ammonia, nitrates buy 2 clown fish. Dont waste money on test kits yet. No substrate to start with (cheaper, easier to clean and you can add this later) Buy micron filter sock to polish water, they are reusable and very cheap (about $10) Buy a skimmer of TradeMe Buy heater off trademe Use Natural Sea Water to start with x1 power head for display tank x1 return pump from sump About 3m of tube Bulk head fittings in/out Mitre 10 - 20L water storage drums x2 for collecting water PVC pipe for in/out overflow etc Buy RODI/Salt later when you are over going to the sea every 2 weeks You can build a cost effective system this way. After a few months then get corals. The most expensive part will be the display tank with bulkhead fittings, pvc etc. The next big cost is RODI later on, if you go that direction. Also put a glass lid on the sump to help reduce evaporation. Also I would buy RODI water off someone and put in a 10L and drip feed it into sump to offset the evaporation. Cheaper to buy RODI water than an actual RODI system. My thoughts anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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