• Setting up a marine aquarium

  • Christopher4108

Hello everyone! After many years of experience with a freshwater aquarium (300 liters), I decided to start a budget (or mid-range) marine aquarium (fish and corals). As a result, I have a lot of questions for which I would really like to get direct answers. As of today, I have ordered an aquarium measuring 110x70x50 (length x width x height) and plan to get a stand similar to the Juwel Rio 400. So far, that's all I have besides the questions: 1. Do I really need a sump for my volume, or is an internal or external skimmer sufficient? 2. What about T5 lighting? How many lamps do I need? Or is there another lighting option (I can't install a fixture on the ceiling - it's drywall)? 3. What circulation pump would you recommend? What else do I need to set up and maintain the aquarium?

Meghan

1. Needed. 2. It's better to install LED right away. 3. .................. To launch an aquarium in space, you need the aquarium itself and a launch pad. Regarding life... I'm not sure that tomatoes and cucumbers in the aquarium are alive. To launch a marine aquarium, you need: 1. Return pump. In your case, the Hydor Seltz L40, 2800 l/h will work. 2. Dry reef rocks (D.R.R.) - 80 kg. Live rocks (L.R.) - 40 kg. 3. Salt. 4. Osmosis. 5. JVP-102 flow pump, 5000 l/h. 6. A month of time for the setup. During this month, you will decide on the rest of the equipment.

Joe

Thank you very much for your response!! What volume should be made, what height, and what configuration of the partition? Is it necessary to drill the main aquarium for the pipes, or can it be done differently? I didn't see which skimmer is better to install for this volume in your list. Again, I ask you to advise what power LED is needed to penetrate 70 cm of aquarium height. Thank you once again for your response. What is point number 1 for?

Bryan1851

The larger the sump, the better. As much as the cabinet allows. My sump drawings: You can skip drilling, but then you need to install an external overflow. Personally, I think it's better to drill. I have an Aquatum, and I like it. The power of the LED does not depend on the height. There is a calculator on the website; you can calculate it yourself. How will you supply water from the sump to the aquarium? I would recommend reading something about organizing a marine aquarium (M.A.).

Katie4842

where is all this going??????????

Rachael

The master also advises against drilling the main aquarium... Change the master...

Mike

1. It's better to make a metal frame. Check out the "Sea" album in my profile, there are many photos of how it was done. 2. Glass can be easily drilled with hole saws even at home using a drill. So you have such a "master."

Karen

Thank you for the advice, I decided to go with the samp, the first steps are already there, the frame of the cabinet.

Sheila1322

I recommend applying several coats of paint. And when you are covering, for example, particle board, be sure to apply several coats, or at least use regular varnish, or yacht varnish...

Sara4035

If you want your aquarium to look like in the photo, then take the advice of a and Starcomputer. If you want to lay out a proper reef, then 10 kg of S.R.K. (dry reef rocks) and 20 kg of J.K. (live rocks). After that, see if it's worth getting more rocks, as this component is not cheap. P.S. May Igor forgive me for using his photo with the beautiful J.K. (live rocks).

Charles894

If you want to see at least something like this in your own aquarium, or even better aquariums, then take the advice of Starcomputer or other experienced sailors with successful and beautiful aquariums. Well, if you want to see something worse or not see anything at all, heed the sarcastic advice. P.S. I have a request; I would really like to see photos of your aquarium.

Michael3221

There was also a question about the tubes from the display to the sump, which ones are mainly used, and what type of fitting is needed for the main openings (to hold well)?

George5104

Look, I have a 3/4 pipe here, you can also use half an inch for the return, and the drain is 3/4.

Melissa2062

About the amount of rock. In the attached photo, there are about 60 kg of live rock, arranged as compactly as possible across the entire area of the aquarium (like Tetris). The aquarium measures 110x60x60. Note that dry rock is significantly lighter than live rock at the same volume (since it is dry). You can roughly estimate how much rock you need to create the intended composition.

Tasha

Can I glue S.R.K. (dry reef rocks) together to create a structure with the same silicone used for the aquarium?

Melissa3200

There are several options for assembling the composition, from using Nyos® REEF CEMENT 500ml, Epo Putty adhesive, FlexoPlast (Hi-Gear), titanium rods, etc. Silicone will only hold on smooth surfaces. Even glass is not sanded for bonding. It won't work with stones; it won't hold. So grab the epoxy and go ahead, the cement will take a long time to dry.

Brooke

Nyos® REEF CEMENT sets in about 10 minutes, even underwater (just be careful with your hands, it burns).

Catherine

+1 to the rift cement. Much better, I’m sorry, than the praised Coralenzukhtov.