Thinking of setting up my first salt tank

[Ephraim]

Yeah I still need to alot of reading on this. I realize it's going to be a long project, I'm not going to have a super fantastic looking tank overnight. But it's nice getting some practicle, first hand advice from all of you, thanks.

Any brand reccomendations for a recirculating skimmer?

Next question, will all my old lava rock work as a base for the live rock? Is there any problems with this stuff in salt aquaria?

[Buddyboy]

Deltec, Euroreef and H&S all make good recirculating skimmers. Maybe you should bite the bullet and get your tank drilled and get a sump??? I started with an undrilled tank and HOB skimmer and I really regret it. Already looking to upgrade!!! You need to try doing things right the first time in this hobby (and not necessarily cheaply), or you'll regret it and pay DOUBLE! haha

Greg

[Ephraim]

I'd prefer not to drill, I don't mind doing a little extra work for maintenance. I enjoy messing around in my tanks, that's half the fun.

I don't plan on keeping any fish in here so that should reduce my filtering requirements, correct? Basically all I want to have is snails and hermits to keep the tank clean and have a few type of soft corals growing on the rocks, more of a "still life" that's why I like planted tanks.

[fkshiu]

Originally Posted by Ephraim

I'd prefer not to drill, I don't mind doing a little extra work for maintenance. I enjoy messing around in my tanks, that's half the fun.

I don't plan on keeping any fish in here so that should reduce my filtering requirements, correct? Basically all I want to have is snails and hermits to keep the tank clean and have a few type of soft corals growing on the rocks, more of a "still life" that's why I like planted tanks.

I've seen a few fishless reef tanks, but a low fishload is probably more beneficial to corals than no fishload. This is because fish are a natural part of a reef ecosystem. In fact, most corals actually eat fish poo. Think of the fish in a planted tank providing their natural fertilizer to the plants.

[Joe Reefer]

Originally Posted by Ephraim

Next question, will all my old lava rock work as a base for the live rock? Is there any problems with this stuff in salt aquaria?

I wouldn't.

[Ephraim]

what's wrong with using lava rock?

[Joe Reefer]

Originally Posted by Ephraim

what's wrong with using lava rock?

This is my opinion and other people believe it is ok to use. I dont. Lava rock can have traces of copper, silver, zinc, iron and all sorts of other metallic things that will kill or at least harm your reef tank. Your best bet is live rock and in your case to cut costs some base rock.

[Ephraim]

Good point, i never even thought of the metallic content. Would Tufa have the same problem? I have a ton of that lying around to that I'm probably not going to use anytime soon.

If the fish will benefit the corals, then I'll look at keeping a few fish as well, maybe some blennies or gobies. I can keep a blacktip reef shark in this size tank right? (j/k)