newbie tank questions

[Guest fishwish]

I'd like to finally get a saltwater tank, after years of freshwater. Questions:

 

1) glass or acrylic? I know acrylic is lighter, but the guy at SuperPets said it crazes after a couple of years from the salt in the water. Then I saw on a website that acrylic is better. Am confused.

 

2) what is "reef ready"? Is this different from "holes in the bottom of tank"?

 

3) What type of filters, etc. do you recommend? Which are the quietest?

 

3) Anybody have a Oceanic 175 bowfront with cabinet and canopy for sale?

 

Thanks for your help!

[EricBrian]

I'd like to finally get a saltwater tank, after years of freshwater. Questions:

 

1) glass or acrylic? I know acrylic is lighter, but the guy at SuperPets said it crazes after a couple of years from the salt in the water. Then I saw on a website that acrylic is better. Am confused.

 

2) what is "reef ready"? Is this different from "holes in the bottom of tank"?

 

3) What type of filters, etc. do you recommend? Which are the quietest?

 

3) Anybody have a Oceanic 175 bowfront with cabinet and canopy for sale?

 

Thanks for your help!

 

1) I prefer glass. Easier to clean the glass. I think it comes down to preference, really.

3) I have a HOB filter to run carbon should I need to. But otherwise, it is off. I do weekly water changes instead.

 

You might want to ask about skimmers in this post unless you already know all about them.

[DEEPBLUE]

I perfer glass, less chance to scratch, also I run a Deltec skimmer, 2 canister filters before my chiller, uv light, and a kalk stirrer on my 240 gal with a 90 gal sump/refugium.

 

Eric

[dzekunoi]

I have acrilic 125 gal. Acrilic is hard to clean - mine is scratched :( But you can buff the scratches . And it's much lighter than glass. And it's easy to drill ( if needed)

I run a Euroreef skimmer, filter socks on overflow, UV sterilizer and a filter bag with carbon.

[Ne0eN]

Acrylic/glass: Like everyone else is saying - pure preference. Depending on the size of the tank - I would not consider glass for anything more than 180g... Just too heavy. Smaller tanks, you can go either way. I have acrylic, and yes you do have to be more careful or you can scratch it.

 

Filtration: no-one has really said it, but unlike freshwater aquariums, in marine world filtration is accomplished through the use of Live Rock and protein skimming. Live Rock will host bacteria that will break down the fish waste - Ammonia into Nitrite, which in turn gets converted by other bacteria into Nitrate. At that point you just have to do a partial water changes. Skimming removes organic waste through a mechanical process. (surface skimming)

 

Hope this helps. I recommend a book - Conscientious Marine Aquarist by Bob Fenner.

 

-- Rob

[Guest fishwish]

Acrylic/glass: Like everyone else is saying - pure preference. Depending on the size of the tank - I would not consider glass for anything more than 180g... Just too heavy. Smaller tanks, you can go either way. I have acrylic, and yes you do have to be more careful or you can scratch it.

 

Filtration: no-one has really said it, but unlike freshwater aquariums, in marine world filtration is accomplished through the use of Live Rock and protein skimming. Live Rock will host bacteria that will break down the fish waste - Ammonia into Nitrite, which in turn gets converted by other bacteria into Nitrate. At that point you just have to do a partial water changes. Skimming removes organic waste through a mechanical process. (surface skimming)

 

Hope this helps. I recommend a book - Conscientious Marine Aquarist by Bob Fenner.

 

-- Rob

 

Thanks so much, everybody!!! Yes, after the first reply referring to a skimmer (I am used to filters and pumps in freshwater tanks and ponds), I realized I need more education, so I've ordered some books (including the one recommended) and am following the links for newbies.

 

Ellen

[emissary]

I'd like to finally get a saltwater tank, after years of freshwater. Questions:

 

Tons of opinionated advice follows. Take it for what it's worth...

 

1) glass or acrylic? I know acrylic is lighter, but the guy at SuperPets said it crazes after a couple of years from the salt in the water. Then I saw on a website that acrylic is better. Am confused.

Step 0, don't go to SuperPetz. Step 1, if you disregarded Step 0, don't listen to what they have to tell you at SuperPetz, and don't buy any livestock there. Step 2, if you disregarded steps 0-1, make sure you quarantine whatever you buy before putting it in your main system!

 

I have a glass 75, glass 180, acrylic 90 that I use for a sump and acrylic 55 painted black that I use for a saltwater mixing tank. Acrylic is nice for it's lightness, clarity, and drillability. That said, you can get tanks now with "Starphire" glass that are REALLY REALLY clear (iron in glass ordinarily makes the tank green looking). In the end though, you don't really notice after a while. It's all about what's inside that matters

 

2) what is "reef ready"? Is this different from "holes in the bottom of tank"?

Essentially. Basically it's saying that there is a mechanism by which water can "overflow" (water is taken from the surface) down plumbing provided or that you create. Sometimes that's holes in the bottom with plastic barriers that allow overflow at the top. Othertimes it's just holes in the back of the tank or elsewhere. You'll also see "with built in overflows" -- means much the same thing. Why overflow? Read up on skimming, sumps, refugiums.

 

3) What type of filters, etc. do you recommend? Which are the quietest?

Looks like you've got some good responses to this question already. I also reccommend the series of aquarium books by Fossa and Nilsen eh... The Modern Coral Reef Aquarium -- but they're NOT for the light of heart (very technical). Other great authors include Fenner, Paletta, Delbeek, Sprung.

 

3) Anybody have a Oceanic 175 bowfront with cabinet and canopy for sale?

Nope! :P I've got a 180G with chips in it but it doesn't *seem* to leak if you're interested! One store that I really like around here is Blue Ribbon Koi out in Manassas. They can order stuff for you...

 

Thanks for your help!

The other very valuable thing that I've found is that when you actually JOIN WAMAS, you get access to the member forum and for sale/trade section which is tremendously useful. There are regular (optional) meetings, socials, frag trades, etc.

 

Also -- list your location. It'll help other folks out when it comes to judging whether you might be interested in picking something up or not. Hope this helps! Some of it's a little strongly worded

[Guest fishwish]

Not stongly worded at all! I greatly appreciate ALL advice! Not only am I a brand new member (joined Friday), but I am still learning how to navigate the website, so bear with me!

 

I have decided that I need to study up before making any decisions... books ordered throught this site are on their way!! Meanwhile, I'll keep reading the forums, learning and daydreaming... wish I wasn't so attracted to that $$$$$$$$ bowfront.

 

Ellen

Old Town Alexandria

[Caribbean Jake]

Welcome Ellen

saltwater tank you should get... and experience the joy it brings with it...

1) if you are careful when cleaning tanks, you should get a glass tank, they are heavy but provide a cristal clear veiw of the lovestock when nice and clean. Acrylic on the other hand are lighter in weight but get scratch easily. The acrilic tanks don't crack unless you abbuse them. Any tank with good support will provide years or enjoyment.

2) Reef Ready is nothing more than a tank already plum with overflows inside the tank area. meaning you don't need external overflows.

3) Filters? well that is a complicated subject. Live Rock provides natural bio-load filtration to your system and are more efficient than replacing cannisters and chemical filters sold at most pet stores. You do need a SKIMMER... yes and the better the skimmer the better the quality and clear water in your tank. Besides Live Rock and Skimmer you actually do not need any other filters..... none what so ever.

4) The bigger the tank the better it is to keep the tank clean and water quality. If you want a nice size tank at a good price check with BRK and F&F they both can get you good prices and delivery/

 

Good Luck and welcom to WAMAS

Jacob