• Tell me from the very beginning!!!!

  • Daniel

I recently read it myself. Here you have descriptions, diagrams, and photographs: ...and so on throughout the site.

Brenda

Hmm. Well, I'm not very knowledgeable myself - I'm just interested in this topic - but it seems to be written like this: And the partition is a column with shells for...

Devon

I'm really confused here. It says that water enters the "SUMP" (which I hope we will discuss later) through the opening located in the compartment with the shells (like the hose under the sink), and the second one is also there but for returning water to the aquarium from the "SUMP." The question is where the third opening is and what it is for?

Gary

One hole is sufficient, but 2-3 holes are for backup in case one of the drains gets clogged. It is better to reduce the height of the aquarium to 70 cm (if a reef aquarium is planned) since corals need a lot of light. The first piece of equipment needed is a skimmer, mixing pumps or flow pumps, and a return pump. The lighting depends on the inhabitants; ideally, metal halide combined with T5 actinics (if corals will be present). If the aquarium is planned for fish only, T5 or even T8 is sufficient.

Kevin

So the scheme I drew can ensure the normal functioning of this aquarium? If yes, then let's move on...

Anne

Let's move on to the "SUMP." As I understand it, this is a container with one compartment where the water from the aquarium is directly cleaned, and in another compartment, the cleaned water is supplied back to the aquarium? Am I right?

Joseph

Sump is generally an individual thing, I mean the design. The easiest way is to make a drain directly into the skimmer and not bother with partitions and other unnecessary things... overall, you are right... In the sump, in addition to water purification, it also fills it with necessary elements, of course, in the case of having various equipment for additives, such as a calcium reactor, calcium mixer...

James

Let's move on to its design in more detail. How many compartments should there be? The size, as I understand, is an individual matter. Could you please advise what size it should be for an aquarium of 2000*800*800, how many compartments there should be, and what specific equipment should be located in each compartment? If possible, please provide specific brands of this equipment.

Maria

Oh wow! There will be a fish room! Cool! So, let's start with something else. What do you plan to keep in the aquarium? How do you envision it? P.S. The number of "holes" depends on the chosen flow option. Judging by the drawing, the aquarium is planned to be three-sided, so it might be more reasonable to place the shaft in the middle and disguise it with a lagoon... In general, it all depends on the specific design. If the wall is not load-bearing, you might even hide the aquarium in the wall. As for the sump, I won't even comment. Let's move forward step by step.

Janet

I agree, let's do it. The aquarium is planned to be mixed. There will definitely be fish and corals. The stand in the form of a boiler has already been laid, so I won't break it down and rebuild it.

Courtney

A kettle is a small boiler (the stone from which houses are built) - a solid stand!!! Well, here we go... I would like to hear a specific proposal regarding the equipment for this aquarium. There are so many new words that I don't know which terminology dictionary to grab.

Joshua

MH light 400W

William

I will make a correction in the finances: the project is not limited at all, so I ask you to base your decisions not on financial capabilities but on usefulness and reliability.

Debbie

So, folks, let's talk about sand; you can argue about it later (I'm not saying this out of malice, I just want specific answers). Over time, if I get involved in this "kitchen," I might also argue, but for now, I ask you to share your opinions, and I would be happy if they coincide! What specific equipment needs to be put here?

John

Yes, I don't argue, it's just nice to chat with a pro, to learn something new, especially since it's never too late!

Nicole

Do not consider this a promotional campaign!!!!!! I ask you to help me select the necessary equipment for this aquarium from the Aravana online store. Do I need this equipment or not?

Karen

You can definitely take a foam separator from them - AquaMedic turbo flotor and a larger one, with two pumps and taller.

Mark

this? what else besides this?

Jose

But will this system not replace everything that needs to be collected in parts?

Julie

I have a similar one, just smaller, but I can say that everything in it makes no sense, there is a lot of unnecessary and excess stuff. The foundation of a marine aquarium is a protein skimmer, so it's essential to acquire a good, powerful skimmer in your case, preferably homemade rather than branded. If you lived in Kyiv or could come, I would recommend contacting Rey Tkach—he specializes in making marine aquariums and the equipment for them, from filtration to lighting.

Julie

Thank you for the phone. I already called him, suggested coming over to set up the aquarium (not for free, of course), but he declined, citing that his family cannot be without a husband and father during this time. He gave me a website that I understood he created, and said that I should message him there privately, that he could gather everything necessary at home and send it to me, and I would assemble it myself according to his instructions. I wrote to him, but he didn't respond, so I'm not bothering him and am writing here in the hope that someone can advise and help.

Stephanie

I will talk to him.........I think everything will work out and we will help you with your endeavor.........

Jill

I would be very grateful. If possible, I would be quite satisfied with the option that he assembles everything in Kyiv, and I will come and pick it up, with instructions, of course! The completion of the renovation is planned for around May-June, so there is still time to think.

Maria

I have nothing to say, the aquarium is just a fairy tale.

Joshua

I suggest you take a look at the following articles: This theoretical material may not be convincing. In this case, studying practical experience may be helpful. This can be done here:

Jeffrey

Fear God, what irony???. On a purely human level, it was nice to read, and I hoped for a comprehensive answer to the question. But here it is right away—irony..., sarcasm. So go ahead and ask questions... after that. Thank you for the links.

Adam

Don't overload a person with terms like tunzes, kelvins, and skimmers - they still can't grasp the mechanism itself, there are no diagrams, etc. Download 10. Title: Marine Aquarium Author: Deikin Nik (I recommend reading this one first) the information is outdated, but you can get a general idea 8. Title: Reef Aquarium Authors: Ov A.V., Savchuk S.I. And then this little book... many questions will be resolved.

Joshua

I don't understand at all what you are talking about! I only understood that someone here is trying to show something to someone! People, let's, if you want, go back to the beginning of the topic and read the questions that were raised. The aquarium setup seems clear, but I would like to hear your opinion on the equipment. How much do you think such an aquarium would cost without any living creatures, specifically regarding the equipment?

Cheryl

With an aquarium and living creatures, the Kyiv norm is 15 raccoons per liter.

Amanda

Well, folks, you've really got me excited! I might as well set up an aquarium at home. There are stones, there are aquariums, and there are skimmers too! There's a sea of coral rubble. The only thing is, where can I get live sand??? And one more question - as I understand it, it's better not to build a biofilter to avoid accumulating nitrates? I want a brittle star!!!

Thomas

No problem - Rey Tkach is an American live sand. If it gets interesting, call him back - he's responsive and, most importantly, knows all about this... IMHO fish aquarium - definitely boshary, reef - balls in the furnace, Ophiurids - again to Rey Tkach.

Devon

You are strange, you haven't tried and you express an opinion. You think that if you take sand from a reef and transport it by plane for 48 hours, some living organisms will remain in the water or on dry land? It's clear you have no experience. The bacteria will die, and the little worms and copepods will rot and spoil the water. The so-called "live sand" contains four artificial and four natural bacteria that greatly facilitate the setup and maintenance of a marine aquarium. Look here.

Joyce

You know, Ray, you shouldn't touch my experience here. It has nothing to do with this. Unlike you, I have no financial interest. Here’s a link to enhance your professional level, so you won't tell anyone scary stories about the sand dying from the reef anymore.

Craig

The commerce in your link is not visible to the naked eye at all. I found nothing about bacteria in their experiments, and the creatures they mention arrive with live rocks in abundance, and after a short time, there are more of them than in their pictures. There are doubts about the usefulness of this sand, and it's not completely white (beach dirt); you open the pocket, and there are little fish swimming.

Whitney

Aha! Of course, of course... Arag-Alive is the best! Arag-Alive rules! Everyone, let's go to the rey! Rey, you are funny.

Lisa

Arag-Alive live sand consists of aragonite, which is ground-up corals, while the sand commonly discussed in aquarium forums is 99% quartz. I wouldn't be surprised if it starts leaching silicates in the aquarium. Yes, everyone must decide for themselves with whom and how to set up a marine aquarium. Personally, I have never been and never will be ashamed of any of my aquariums (because I have a conscience), while there are plenty of people who simply scam aquarists out of money and feel no shame—it's their job to cloud people's minds. Answer the question: how much reading and practical experience is needed to claim that you understand marine setups and can guarantee everything will work perfectly on the first try?

Danny

What do bio-balls have to do with this???. If you're going to make a biofilter, it should be irrigated and made from coral rubble, at least it will be useful. And not in an external filter!

Crystal

Everything that is irrigated enriches the water with nitrates - the process is aerobic. In the reef, the concentration of nitrates should not exceed 5 mg/L, but a complete zero is also bad.

Emma

The discussion is turning into a heated debate! I really like it, although I don't understand all the terms, but I think I'll figure it out with the help of the internet.

Debra

What is the point of biofiltration without oxygen if there is nowhere to put the biomass? And then, there was another piece of information about nitrates in the reef - 20?

Troy

Biofiltration here is different... one could say metaphorically that the metabolic products must first be broken down by aerobic bacteria, and then by anaerobic ones - if these two systems are balanced, then the aquarium thrives.... 20 mg/l - ha... funny.....

Holly

I suggest moving messages that do not relate to the topic "Tell us from the very beginning!!!!" to a separate thread...

Sara

I think everything mentioned above is relevant; it's just that everyone has their own beginning.

Pamela

Biofiltration either exists or it doesn't. It cannot be anything else. You are simply proposing two different processes - biofiltration and denitrification. The latter can only occur independently in the DSB layer. One cannot expect it in live rocks... It is better to use a special device with feeding of anaerobic bacteria. And remove nitrates with algae.

Kendra

Who is arguing? But the phrase was said - "the biofiltration here is different." So I wrote that it cannot be different; besides, denitrification is a specific phase, not a third stage. I would still call phytofiltration the third stage, which is popular for its simplicity.

Jose

You are right as always. In my humble opinion, the stages of biofiltration can be enhanced by installing a column with bio-balls, adding a deep sand bed, increasing the amount of live rock, and setting up a NO3 column. In other words, if there is an excess of certain substances in the nitrogen cycle within the system, measures need to be taken to "neutralize" them. However, these measures should be implemented or accounted for with a margin.

Julie

It can be even simpler - just install a powerful flotation device with an ozonator.

Lindsey

By the way, the book by Stepanov does more harm than good for amateur marine aquaristics. It really takes a lot to scare, I would even say repel, people from the sea.

Loretta

This is no longer biological filtration. Yes... the foam fractionator only removes protein (or similar) structures, but not No2, No3, Po4...

Rodney

So let's raise a glass to preventing nitrogen derivatives from forming in aquariums and ensuring everything is removed from the system in the form of protein compounds right from the start—through flotation!

Steven

I really didn't want to write in this thread, but I can't ignore such statements... First of all, to speak like that, you need to have at least the moral authority to do so, and that can only be earned through your own achievements and knowledge... Secondly, everything evolves over time; the book was written in its own time and was very progressive for that period, as there was simply nothing specific written about marine aquariums at the time. Thirdly, I don't understand what you found so harmful and terrible in it... I know Dima Stepanov well and saw his aquariums at the time this book was written. The aquariums were built without a single piece of live rock (it simply didn't exist back then), practically without substrate, entirely based on the principles described in the book (there are photos taken in Dima's aquariums). I can attest that even now, few people have aquariums comparable to what Dima had back then.

Courtney

This is not my only opinion. My post was about the "terrifying" descriptions of various quarantine measures and equally "terrifying" diseases. Reading this made me suddenly lose the desire to engage with the sea. But when I did, it turned out to be much simpler and not so deadly. As for everything else, I have no complaints. Wonderful recommendations. But a spoonful of tar spoils the barrel of honey.

Jeanne

I had fewer problems also because the system being launched consisted of two tanks and a sump with a total volume of 7000 liters. Such a large "fortress" for fish is, of course, very stable. At the same time, I was launching a quarantine system based on 5 tanks and a sump with a total volume of 650 liters. A bit more ozone and that's it.

David

Guys, let's avoid solutions for every situation: Ozon doesn't solve all problems. And the quarantine tank just adds more stress for the fish; you catch them, separate them, and then put them back in the main aquarium again.

Wendy

Why briefly? Somehow the system started from stopping the circulation pump. So I just, boldly, supplied an ozone mixture to the aquariums through diffusers around the clock and without any "burning." And this went on for quite a long time. And then, if ozone is supplied to the skimmer, what problems are there? The excess is easily removed. In general, Martin Sander shed a lot of light on this topic of ozone in his book.

Sarah

Moreover, the aquariums themselves should be as large as possible, over 700 liters. Ideally, more than a ton. This way, the living space will allow newly introduced inhabitants, even those showing signs of illness, to cleanse themselves of parasites. BUT of course, with high oxygen levels. AND this includes ozone!

Heather

Because the res controller is turned off. This helps eliminate ammonia and nitrite spikes when the filter capacity is insufficient. At the same time, it keeps the res at a safe level. I think 600 will be equal for corals. However, 450-500 may become a critical value for fish. Ozone is used through the skimmer solely for space-saving purposes, and simply out of laziness. Ozone reduces foaming.

Michelle

Here we are gradually approaching the idea I am trying to convey - an aquarium can, to some extent, be a self-sustaining system.

Aaron

I am reading Sander, page 124. ".. At best, ozone is introduced into seawater through a flotator...". Not to mention its flocculating effect.

Amber

Why sneak up on her and report it - this is an axiom. The habitat of individuals is their home, their "fortress," and the larger it is, the more comfortable they feel. Even if the system is divided into many small containers, for their inhabitants, it is still one, common system.

Sara

This solution is the best only in comparison to placing the ozone diffuser directly in the aquarium. The foam generator provides very good mixing of ozone with water. However, the best solution is a separate ozone reactor.

Michelle

So what is the ozone for then? If DSB, live rocks, and algae - elements of the habitat - can solve filtration issues? If you don't have peaks caused by accidents and there is no need for large predators in it.

Monique

An ozone reactor is an accessory of a freshwater system.

Brandy

Agreed. If both live rocks, DSB, and algae scrubber are present, and there are no predators! Ozone is necessary for a fish aquarium, while everything is fine in a reef.

Daniel

What is happening?

Brent

Guys, don't you think that you (we) have strayed from the original topic? For a beginner, is it really necessary to worry about how much ozone is needed? To start, one needs to determine what they want to see, and then advice can be given. If it's a fish aquarium, a simple filtration system is sufficient; if it's a reef tank, then strong lighting, good water quality, etc. are required.

Cassandra

So this is a basic education, without it there won't be a sea. By the way, a powerful filtration system is also needed for the reef, in addition to live rocks and DSB.

Lynn

It seems to me that you paint such a scary picture of the sea that a novice will not want to go near it at all. A good book A couple of hours of conversation with an experienced sailor (I don't exclude myself) Competent drawings and well-thought-out schemes And the marine aquarium is ready, but I forgot about the money.

Tina

If there were a single suitable blueprint for building a marine aquarium, I would have given it to beginners a long time ago, but each individual case requires a special approach and experience. I have never refused anyone a consultation.

Whitney

I support it. I would also like to hear the author's opinion on this discussion.

Jeffery

Everything necessary for a start is here. Details can be discussed, but all six points are essential for an aquarium with fish and corals.

Katherine

from the author You won't hear much, as I am trying to understand up to this point (sitting and reading literature) what goes where and why. I would ask that someone refine the scheme I drew as an example.

Christine

Why not combine the drainage and water supply in one column? Both the Durso and the transit pipe for water supply will fit quite well. I have used Atman pumps in a marine system for a long time (9000 liters per hour) without any problems.

Barbara

It can be done in one, but two is better.

Curtis

For whom?

Dennis

Here is what I have at the moment, I will start uploading photos now. Added in 3 minutes Can someone tell me how to upload a normal picture? When I upload, the image is larger than the monitor screen and it may take a long time to load for many.

Jasmine

Go to this link. Select a file (photo on your computer). Keep the checkbox "reduce to 640 pixels" checked. Then click upload and insert the link to the image "2. Image in the text" here.

Ronald

he writes to me Error The specified network name is no longer available.

Ross

Then try something from these Link Link Link Link

Amber

I apologize, but I didn't quite understand where the sump will be located. The aquarium is above, with the light fixture on top.

Anthony

The sump will be placed behind the wall to which the aquarium is leaning.