Another Newbie Question....sigh...

clownfish · 10-07-2007, 01:44 AM

Ok, sorry guys to bug you so much...

as most of you know I used to have a freshwater tank..now I'm starting a salt one...so, I've been reading here and there that a power filter is not necessary in a salt water aquarium...is this true?

I should mention though, I have ONLY about 18 lbs on live rock in my tank and about 30 of dead rock...I couldn't afford anymore live....so back to the first question, do I still not need a power filter? My tank's now 3 weeks old. I do have live sand in it (40lbs).

The second question is regarding lids....most of the pictures I've seen of marine aquariums don't seem to have lids..so my question is, how does one prevent fish from jumping out of the tank?...

My tank's a 46 Gal. bow front all glass. It's been 3 weeks and my pH has not passed the 7.8-7.9 mark, nitrites are still high. As far as I understand, it's mostly due to the fact that I don't have enough live rock. Am I understanding this right or does cycling take longer than 3 weeks? Anyway, thank you for the help and understanding of my huge lack of knowledge.

geekdafied · 10-07-2007, 03:05 AM

I use canister filters since I dont have a sump on the 75g. I also over filter the crap out of my tank too. The canister I use is good for a 200g tank.

As for liverock, get some tufa rock, you can find it at places that sell stone, usually for like $0.25 a pound. Just be sure to really wash it. Run it through the dishwasher twice WITHOUT SOAP twice, flip it before you do the second cycle in the dishwasher. That way they get cleaned with super hot water that will kill anything living on it. You can aslo get some "stability" its made by seachem, its bacteria in a bottle pretty much. It wont cycle your tank for you, but it will move things a long.

Gets some kent super dkh buffer and slowly raise your ph up.

As for lids, most people run open tops for better gas exchange and it also keeps the temperture down. As for fish jumping out, most of us try to stay away from known jumpers or use a canopy. You can also get some egg crate and cut it fit around the light so it doesnt block the light.

omard · 10-07-2007, 05:40 AM

Get cover of some kind on tank for sure! (I have canopy on mine.) --- Just about any fish can/will jump if startled, going for food, being chased.

Some types jump just cause they like to

(trying to escape? --- find way back to ocean

--- commit suicide

With no sump/skimmer, or lots of LR, you probably should use your filter. Just clean media frequently.

With lots of LR and good skimmer, there is really no need for filter.

geekdafied · 10-07-2007, 06:37 AM

Ive tried going without any filtration cause I have 70lbs of sand and 100lbs of liverock with a light bioload, thats how I learned my calupera and halimeda was still there. So I run carbon, zeolite and ceramic rings.

bulltrader · 10-07-2007, 09:02 AM

Hi,
Unless you have something to help it along like damsel's, live sand, cycling bacteria your tank my take 4-6 weeks to cycle. This is not a bad thing, go slow and you will have better overall results.
Before I had a sump I used a canister filter and things were fine but not ideal. The sump with the live rock, live sand and skimmer make all the difference. I still run my canister but just for additonal water flow.
My tank is open and so far no jumpers!!

cuttingras · 10-07-2007, 09:18 AM

Not meaning to hijack this but what you say makes me confused. So if you have a sump you don't need a power filter, just a skimmer? WOW I didn't realize that....

bulltrader · 10-07-2007, 09:28 AM

You are correct.
If you have a good running sump with skimmer no need for a power filter. Mine has been empty for a year and just runs for extra water flow. None of the LFS that I buy from run power filters on their saltwater tanks. One person at the LFS I discussed this with said that if you do run a power filter and don't take care of it (like clean it often) you will get a nitrate problem).