New tank build

[kilo32]

I just picked up a 155 bow front from Kelley's Warehouse and I'm in the planning stages of a set up. I'm going with a FO with artificial coral possibly from http://www.livingcolor.com">www.livingcolor.com</a> and I've been looking around for anyone that either has it or sells it without any luck so might need to take a trip to Ft Lauderdale to see and touch it for mself before commiting to an expensive investment. Anyone have any opinions on it?

I wanted to get opinions on biological filtration. I'm not planning on using live rock in the DT and was wondering about using just bio balls or something else in a sump or wet/dry. Any thoughts?

I'm also thinking of using led's for the shimmer effect and also thinking that in the long run not changing bulbs might pay off. I've heard that Ecoxotics will be coming out with a newer product maybe as early as July which runs cheaper. Anyone heard anything about this?

Eventually when I add water for the first time I'm wondering if there are any LFS that provide a service for filling a tank with an initial amount of about 200 gals of salt water. Water changes after the initial set up I'll be able to do myself with smaller amounts.

Although I haven't as yet purchased a sump or wet/dry I'm thinking of using an external pump such as a Dart to keep my flow strong as the tank has two overflows. I'd like to get some ideas on setting it up for providing enough flow and maybe even using a manifold to supply flow to a skimmer and UV all from the same pump.

Finally, I guess at this point I really should become a member. I was a member of PBMAS when I lived in S Florida so I appreciate the advantages of belonging to this community.

 

[dawgface]

I saw someone selling some fake coral on craigslist, let me see if I can drudge that up and I'll pm you.

Edit: Give me your email. I can't find the ad but found his email to me with pictures. I'll forward it to you.

 

[stacy22]

Live rock is the main source of filtration in most marine tanks. Bio-balls will become nitrate factories and are not recommended.

Is there a reason you don't want live rock?

 

[kilo32]

I'm just looking at alternatives. I've always used live rock in the past in my DT but someone had mentioned to me an alternative or addition to bio balls which I can't remember just now so was hoping to hear other ideas. From what I can recall it was some type of pellets that go into a bag and laid on top of the bio balls. It was the owner at Marine Designs in Suwanee that told me but I'll have to go see him again.

 

[dawgface]

Kelly's Warehouse also had some fake coral, this stuff I believe is actual fake coral unlike the pm I sent of "real" dead coral. Since they are going out of business I'm sure they will cut a good deal on it.

 

[kilo32]

Yes...I did look at that stuff but it's made up of some type of concrete type product and therefore would be very pourous. The stuff from livingcolor is made from neoprene and I believe would be non pourous and stay clean longer. I think a day trip to Ft Lauderdale is in my future.

 

[kilo32]

Just remembered what the alternative to using bio balls was. Seachem Matrix. Anybody using it or have opinions on it. The user reviews at MarineDepot are all positive.

 

[morganatlanta]

If you are going to have a sump, you can just put the live rock down there.

 

[kilo32]

Seachem Matrix by volume has 40 times the surface area as compared to bio balls. I don't know how that would compare to rock. I guess it would depend on what type of live rock as some types have more area than other types. The recommended amount is between 2 and 4 liters for my size set up. I'm just hoping that someone will chime in that is already using the stuff.