Thinking of setting up my first salt tank

[Joe Reefer]

You could try a coralife superskimmer, I have no experience with them. Some people dont use skimmers, Bev for example is an advocate of simple systems. I think you have to be very dilagent with maintainence though.

[Buddyboy]

It's tricky to find a HOB skimmer for a tank that size. A Deltec MCE600 might do the trick though. Not cheap, but up to the job in a tank your size that has a moderate bioload. Another consideration would be a TUNZE DOC skimmer. They can be mounted in sump or inside the display tank itself. They should be able to handle your tank size as well. The Deltec skimmer might skim more aggresively though. Good luck!

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

For that size tank, I don't think there are any "relatively inexpensive" HOB skimmers that will really do a good job skimming that volume. I heard Deltecs are great but $$$$$$. Might want to consider a recirculating skimmer that sits on the floor instead (since you have no sump). Yeah, a tank that size will also need approx. 100lbs of Live Rock, so that $900 isn't going to stretch to cover just the LR, better lights, and good skimmer. Really think about this decision because it will make your $$ disappear much faster than a freshwater setup.

Anthony

[Ephraim]

This is probably a dumb question, but what exactly does a skimmer do for the tank that a canister filter won't?

When it comes to maintenance, I am very religous on getting water changes done weekly without question. Been doing water changes on Sundays for years, hell, friends and family even know not to call me on Sundays because of it.

[Buddyboy]

You might want to do a bit of reading first before you jump into this. Alot of the hardware and processes involved are much different than freshwater. And the crud that builds up in saltwater is alot different than freshwater crud. More oily and protieny and these can only be removed with the use of a good skimmer. I guess waterchanges would help but why not make your life easier??? If you want to go super cheap on the skimmer, you could try a Coralife Superskimmer, but you get what you pay for.

Greg

[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

[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]

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.

[Ephraim]

what's wrong with using lava rock?