Looking for help from the more ezperienced

[HunterG]

Howz it everyone?
I currently and runnign a 20 gallon fish tank w/ non-photosynthetic invertabre pretty succesfully. It contains a coral banded beauty which has ick right now and i have out it in a hospital tank in hyposalinty threapy. The tank also contains a sri lanka cleaner shrimp, a feather duster, two percula clown fish, and a green chromis. Now i am moving in four week just dfown the street nothing bad, however when i get their i am have a 75 gallon tank to upgrade to. On the 20 gallon tank i have a penguin bio wheel 200 and skilter 250 hang on filter with a 20 percent water change every sunday. So i would like any advice on the type of filter to buy for the 75 gallon along with protien skimmer additives and so on, and keep in mind i want to start keeping corals once the tank has been running for six or so months and is established, so any help on what to start planning for would be great.

 

[ChrisRD]

Hi and :welcome:

It it were me, I'd plan on setting up the 75 gallon with some good quality live rock, lots of circulation and a good skimmer. You really don't need any other continuous filtration IME (although the hang-on filter can come in handy for periodically running carbon, etc.). I recommend getting the tank drilled (or drilling it yourself) and setting it up with a sump.

IMO the only thing you really need to dose for regularly is Ca and Alk. It's best to dose something that adds both in balanced ratios like a 2-part additive (B-Ionic for example) or kalkwasser. It's also good to occasionally check your Mg levels and dose a bit of MgCl as needed.

Also, check out this guide in our library: http://www.reefs.org/library/newbieguide.htm

HTH

 

[Anonymous]

:lol: What Chris said, except to add that running a HOB in the sump can make for an instant biofilter for a hospital or Q tank whould the need arise.

A drilled tank with a sump adds stability to any setup, and makes it easier IMO to maintain water quality due to the added water volume. Besides getting the skimmer and heater, etc out of sight.