About to order new set up - opinions please

[Tony Quinn]

This is not another one of those beginner posts, as you know I'm an experienced aquarist (10 years +) and went through a disaster just over a month ago when my 300 g blew apart. I want to set up my new system (approx 200 g this time) in the best practice method possible. I have 250lb of live rock already (3 years matured) in one of my holding together with all my surviving corals. The main problem I suffered from in my last system was nitrates, partly due to a large biolode
which will not be the case this time as I've learnt that lesson, but also I had no DSB or sump and so w/c's of 100 gallons per week were necessary to keep my NO3 down to less than 20ppm. I have a lot of equipment lying around but would really like to for a NNR and keep things as close to nature as possible, I didn't have this website when I first started out and I now have a fresh start to do it right with NO BUDGET constraints. All advice and opinions would be greatly appreciated from the new way of thinking.

 

[dgasmd]

Pardon my ignorance, but where are the channel islands??

 

[Lynn]

Hi Tony, I just wanted to welcome you back!! I had followed your posts prior to and after your disaster. I felt so bad for you, and at that time was setting up a tank for the first time myself. (with the exception of a 20 gal)
Anyways, its great that you made a come back, and good luck to you with your new tank!!
Lynn

 

[Liem]

I found that sand bed is the most effective way of keeping nitrate low. The bed need to be about 4 to 6 inch. In addition, you will need lots of critters to consume the waste that fishes and other animal generates. I got most of my critters from the live rocks. Since your live rocks are a few years old, you may want to buy some new one (a few chunks only) to get a seed population of these animals. You will need larger cleaning animals (like hermit crabs and brittle stars). Various mail order places sale these as a package.

IMHO, a "right" set-up is one that contains an entire eco system withe the fishes at the top and bacteria at the bottom at lots of other organisms in the middle.

The other half of the problem is light and water movement.

After the setup, you will need to feed the tank to keep it going.

Liem.

 

[Tony Quinn]

Dimaggio (jumpin' Joe I assume!) The Channel Islands are in the English Channel, Jersey is 14 miles at its closest point to France, yet we speak English. New Jersey was named after it! It is surrounded by white golden beaches and is tax free! 'ish!

Lynn, lovely to hear from you, it's people like you that I was used to on the discus breeders website, people who care!

My question wasn't really about the technical parts of the new system to set up as I have extensive experience in the old ways. The NNR system was conveyed to me before my disaster and I really want the advice of those with up to date knowledge gleened from experience of running a reef tank like a real eco system. Like the discus site I know we have real top experts on this site and I would just like to tap their knowledge before I set up from scratch my new tank as these guys are in front of most literature on the market and they haven't plaguerised other works! (I know this is a current affair in the States at present). I have all the critters I need in one of my holding tanks and the DSB sump, I merely need to set up this new system in the right way and would greatly appreciate advice and ideas.