selection of filtration substrate

[DrSnake]

hi, everybody,
I am a newbies in Reef tank and wanted to set up a 24 * 17 * 13 inch reef aquarium with a filtration tank in the back of size 24* 13* 7 inch. There will be 3 compartments in the filtration tank and one of it will activated charcoal and sponge and the 2nd one will be some filtration substrates and in the last compartment will be heater, skimmer and air pump and clacium reactor, etc.
I will start to pour in water to the tank next week and thinking about which type of filtration material to use.
Our expert marine hobbiants, Any advice on that?

 

[KHU]

to DrSnake
If U guys have a strong enough skimmer, just forget all those unnessary filter media , no matter it is chemical, biological , or physical filter,, just choose a skimmer as big as U can afford, HTH

 

[Andrew]

keep the carbon and drop the sponge. You never mention anything about the live rock and sand?? What about what type of corals you want to keep???

 

[DrSnake]

Thanks for all the advice, I will take it.
Concerning the coral, I am still reading up on that, most like will be keeping those easier SPS, since I am a just a beginer. Any suggestion conerning the filtration system and also just a small tank?
Also I will be keeping some like shrimp.
I will be putting in Live Rock after the water quality is more stable.
For live sand, it's not available in HK as far as I know, so I think I will not put any coral send in the tank, but I do like to place some coral sand in one of the compartment of the filtration tank. would this be alright?
looking forwrad for all your teaching.
PS: I do read Chinese so pls feel free to give comment with different languages.
Dr. Snake

 

[Andrew]

*Concerning the coral, I am still reading up on that, most like will be keeping those easier SPS, since I am a just a beginer. Any suggestion conerning the filtration system and also just a small tank?*
What is your idea of easier SPS? What kind of lighting sysytem you are planning to use?
*Also I will be keeping some like shrimp.*
These crustaceans do prefer high water quality. Therefore, your idea of using tap water to set up the tank might not be ideal.
*I will be putting in Live Rock after the water quality is more stable.*
I am not sue where you got this idea from. So you want the tank to become stable then place the live rock in your tank? Live rock however, will start another cycle in your tank, do you know that?? Although many vendors clam they sell cured live rock, custious should be taken and one should always assume the live rock needs to be treated despite what the vendors claimed. You should put in the sand, then live rock and let the tank cycle the same time.
*For live sand, it's not available in HK as far as I know, so I think I will not put any coral send in the tank, but I do like to place some coral sand in one of the compartment of the filtration tank. would this be alright?*
Yes, you do. I know there is Caribsea packaged live sand in HK. The size is perfect for bottom substrate for reef tanks. Use the Fiji pink sand. Depending on the height of your tank, plant 4-6" of sand to achieve proper
dentrification level. Caribsea packaged live sand containes all the needed bacteria so it helps to cycle the tank instantly especially when the tank is also using live rock. The lifes in the rock will assist in seeding the sand as well. Once established, you can ask the fellow reefers in HK to give you a cup of their sand to seed your sand bed. The sand is made of Aragonite which is perfect for keeping the alklinity at desirable range. Unless you have a sump that is the same size as your main display tank, I see no benefits of adding crushed corals in your sump.
Whish I can type Chinese, but I can't. Sorry dude.

 

[DrSnake]

Thanks for your reply.
Concerning the water, I got RO now, that should be nice.
For the setting up of the tank, as U suggested to me. I will be putting in sand base and also live rock at the 1st time I put in water into the tank. Then allow the system to run for a month or so until stabilized.

Concerning the Caribsea packaged live sand... still have no idea where to buy it. Most likely should be in that "fish Street" in Mong Kok, right? I will try to find it out again. thanks.
I do got a sump of same size of the main tank, so I think I will be putting in Coral sand in the sump.
Also conerning live sand, I am thinking of getting the raw sand and also earthworm, etc directly from the beach in HK. I know a place in Sei Kung where there is coral reef and I would like to get some sand and if possible live rock there. Would these "un-cured" live rock and sand be causing any trouble if I place them into the tank? or I should wash them all over before I place them in the tank? I am afraid washing them will kill all the necessary bacteria and live form in the rock and sand ar.
thanks

 

[Andrew]

What is your intention of putting curshed corals in your sump?? Are you trying to create a refuigium???

 

[DrSnake]

yes, and I will give adequate illumination to it too, would it be alright?
and I found the Caribsea sand that U recommend to me. But I think it's not live sand as it was packed like the rice in Supermarket. ALmost totally dry. It contains some very fine sand, some shells and some rocks of different size. It is 2kg per pack, causing $200 HKD and These sand should be able to help stbilizing the KH/ Calcium level in the tank.
But the problem is they are not Live sand.
would it be nice if I bought a pack of Caribsea sand and place it in the bottom to act as a substrate in the Main Tank. Then when I could get some LIVE SAND from beaches in Sei Kung ( I am planning to have a trip to nearby Coral Reef in Sei Kung to get some live sand and rocks) then I places a futher 1kg or so on top of the Caribsea snad? Will the live sand be able to act as the origin of bacteria and spread into the whole substrate?
Also I will introduce some live Rock at the same time.
Concerning the content of the sump, I think I want to place some Crush Coral there many to help stabilize the water and also to act as a place for bacteria to grow. Would it be necessary and benificial?
thank for reading this long message...