new to saltwater

will they all be in the same room? If so, look into linking them together to utilize the same filtration unitl. That way you can just look at one great unit instead of multiple and less work overall. Although you will have at least twice the money in the filtration unit as in all the tanks combined. And if you are re-using the older freshwater fish tanks, beware of the previous chemicals that you have once used as they will make your fish/coral life bleek.

 

I don't think I would hook them together for a few different reasons. First a reef tank needs to have verry clean water and if you hook it to a seahorse tank which generaly are high in no3 and po4 do to haveing to feed them constantly and they are finicky eaters so alot off food gets over looked and ends up on the bottum to rot. Also a seahorse tank needs to be maintaind at a lower temp than a reef tank under 76 to keep bactera down which seahorses are highly suceptable to. As far as hooking a fish only to the reef I wouldn't do that eather I would asume that the fish only will be a agressive tank and if that is the case people tend to feed a agressive tank alot because thats the fun part and again you will cause excess nutrents in your reef. If I were you I would go to reef central and READ READ READ there is a endless amount of info there and forums dedicated to each type of tank you want. http://www.reefcentral.com/index.php?s=
-Bill

 

Yep I agree with Bill. I would also look into the corals and fish that you like or want then build the system to acomadate them. If you want a sps dominant system then set up your tank to acomadate. It all comes down to what you want. With me I like a well mixed reef. And I love my anemones. Basicly just think about what you want in the end and set things up to get you there. Shaun

 

I have the 3 tank system that blackx is talking about. I have 22 fish, 5 shrimp, 10 or so crabs (sally light foot and emeralds) don't know how many hermits and snails. Somewhere around 60 coral. My system is a 125 main tank, then a 75 that the 125 drains into, then goes to a 33 sump. I am willing to let anyone that wants to come and see my tank. I was a stop on the tank tour this spring.

The 75 I want to do a pipe fish tank or sea horse or both. I'm also thinking about loading it with rock and doing an eel tank. I dont know yet. But all those are high on the feeding. But this hobby is all what one person wants it to be. Take advise when given, try that or any combinations of what you learn.

Larry

 

Posted By Matt and Jill on 05/07/2010 09:29 PM
We are from Colo, Ia and we are going to be setting up 3 saltwater tanks. Crazy? Maybe, but I'm currently downsizing from 2000+ gallons of freshwater to pursue something I've always wanted to.
First welcome to the wonderful world of saltwater & GIRS.
Saltwater tanks. Now one tank is going to be completely open water fish only, and I also want to do a reef tank. First question on the reef tank is: What types of corals should we get?
It depends on what you like.  I would not jump right into SPS, you will be in for a let down.  Let that evolve for you.  There are a ton of really nice LPS, and it is not quite as hard to keep them happy.  Start out slow with a couple and then build it up.
How much live rock should we get?
As much as you can fit it & still make your aquascaping look nice.  LR is the natural filter for saltwater tanks.
What types of fish can we stock.
Another million dollar question.  Anything you want that wont outgrow the tank.  Some fish get huge.  Some fish eat other fish.  Some fish will eat your snails, crabs, and shrimp.  Live aquaria has a great chart & general requirements for each fish.  Hint,  if it says expert only, stay away as they will usually die.
Now for the things I know about our setup plans. The open water tank is a 6ft 125 gallon tank.
What do you mean by open water tank?
Going with cheaper lighting as it will be fish only. The reef tank is also a 6ft tank. going with to t-5 light strips double bulbed. protein skimmers all around. The third tank is a 40 gallon, and we would like to stock it with some seahorses. What would we need for the seahorse setup, and what fish would do well with them, if any. I know, alot of questions! But we appreciate any advice you could give us. Thanks alot, Matt.
I would strongly recomend putting a sump/refugium under each of the bigger tanks.  I will pay off tremendously in the long runs from a huge list of reasons.  If you are going to want SPS eventually skip the T-5's and get the MH's now.   I would even recomend MH even if you just want LPS but that is a personal preference.

 

  If you are going to want SPS eventually skip the T-5's and get the MH's now.   I would even recomend MH even if you just want LPS but that is a personal preference.
?????? I totaly agree with this but I thought you were one of the die hard t5 guys???????

 

Welcome to GIRS, its nice to see the Ames and Northern areas growing.

 

Posted By FishBrain on 05/08/2010 10:33 AM

  If you are going to want SPS eventually skip the T-5's and get the MH's now.   I would even recomend MH even if you just want LPS but that is a personal preference.
?????? I totaly agree with this but I thought you were one of the die hard t5 guys???????
Well I was, but now only for smaller tanks.  It is hard to get a good enough spread & penetration to cover tanks over 100 gallons
Of course that is my own personal experience & opinion.  I still run t-5's on my frag tank & RBTA tank

 

Welcome! /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/smile.gif

 

One piece of advice, start a build thread.  As you go along, if you run into problems or questions, then everyone has a little more history about how your stuff is configured and can give you better advice...plus, it's kind of fun to watch someone's tank come together.
--AJ