• help a beginner set up a marine aquarium

  • Joseph1346

Hello everyone. Guys, I am a complete novice in marine aquariums, but I really want to try it. So I have a request for everyone who knows: please advise me on how to set up a marine aquarium of about 300 liters, starting from the equipment and ending with maintenance. I do have some experience in freshwater aquariums, but I'm quite tired of them. Also, I have a question: what are live rocks and sand? And where can I get them? Regarding the type of marine aquarium I plan to set up, I think I will go for a reef tank. Thank you in advance to everyone.

Laura3673

the best resource on the sea.

Leonard

Thank you for the link. I will try to dig something up.

Richard2180

First, buy a good book, and then the forums when you know what’s what.

Kenneth7210

Thank you for the advice. By the way, I bought the book. It's just not in Russian, but in English. The book is great, but it's not convenient to read. Anyway, I will soon be going to my parents in Zaporizhzhia, maybe I'll find some literature in Russian. Who can recommend which books are suitable for beginners? I also downloaded something from the internet, but it's quite old.

Mary

"Reef aquarium" - you won't find a better one in Russian.

Troy8808

Thank you all very much. I have planned a purchase for tomorrow. Except for the refrigeration unit, everything will be from the company Rena - France. The aquarium is glass with a capacity of 350 liters; canister filter XP-3; false bottom; heater of 300 W; electronic feeder; digital thermometer. I will decide on the refrigerator and lighting on site. What do you think about the UV sterilizer? All devices will be connected to a digital control unit also from Rena. Please advise regarding the refrigerator and lighting, as well as a skimmer, if needed.

Kevin8087

if anyone is interested in RENA, go here

Spencer7805

In light of recent insights into biological filtration in marine aquariums, it is better not to use a canister filter and instead buy "live rocks" with that money. A canister filter does not provide denitrification, while live rocks do. A skimmer is needed.

Vanessa6144

Actually, I was thinking of using a canister for the mechanics and a false bottom for better water circulation. Specifically, to place the false bottom at the bottom, connect the outlet from the canister to it, and install the water intake as usual 10 cm from the bottom. This way, the substrate won't stagnate, and mechanical filtration will be effective. In short, a bottom filter in reverse. But if I'm mistaken, please correct me. And what about carbon and UV?

Melissa1838

You should ask on the forum. I know very little; I just salted the water and added the first live rocks two weeks ago.

Elijah7048

As for water circulation, separate pumps should be installed in the aquarium so that their total output is at least 10 times the volume of the aquarium per hour. It's better to have more.

Jerry

Thanks for the pumps. For some reason, I forgot about them, but I will keep that in mind now. So it turns out that pumps, a skimmer, good lighting, a heater, and a chiller are definitely needed. Everything else is optional and depends on the budget. OK. Thank you all.

Shane

And yet, it probably makes sense to install a UV sterilizer. Although, will it accidentally create harmful sterility?

Joseph6461

Decide what you want to include there; canister filters won't be very useful here, as the main filter needed is a skimmer. Additional pumps should be installed for water circulation, and live rocks also serve as a biological filter, hosting a wide variety of life from bacteria to invertebrate algae and much more, which helps filter the water. You can also install a sterilizer if you have one; if not, it's not a big deal, you can manage without it.

Javier5186

Okay, I understand everything. I'll take the canister if I have extra money, but for now, I'll stick to the essentials. Although the concept of "essentials" is quite flexible. Well, never mind, I'll decide on the spot tomorrow, or rather, today.

Maria6659

A canister is not needed in a marine aquarium.

Joshua9847

Okay, could you please tell me how to perform mechanical filtration better? And how to prevent stagnation in the soil? Is charcoal necessary? I'm confused now.

Joyce

The filtration process occurs on live rocks; over time, organisms settle in the rocks, and the substrate also becomes "live." You need a skimmer for the filter. Most of the waste is processed biologically and removed from the water with the help of the skimmer.

Robert

Activated carbon can be used initially to remove ammonia. Then, when the aquarium stabilizes, the carbon should be removed.

Mark7376

Now it's clear. Thank you. So, a better pen is needed.