Cali Kid Corals

Converting a FW to SW tank.

Vento

Vento

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So as the title implies I want to convert over my FW tank to a SW tank.

I currently have a 46gal bow front tank with a Fluval 305 canister filter. The stand I have does not allow for a sump setup, as it barely has enough space for the canister filter. I like the look of the bow front tank so I want to keep it.

Right now i'm in the planning stages. But I have a few questions and thats the reason i'm here.

Do I keep the canister filter, and if I do what kind of filter media do I run in it?

I know there are the HOB wet/dry filters and is it better than the canister type, or do I run both types. If I run a HOB do need a protein skimmer?
 
I did this same thing.

You need to clean the entire tank with a 10% viniger solution and thoughly rinse to get all the viniger out.

I would highly advise you not use the canister filter as you would have to completely disasemble every part and clean with the same viniger solution and even then you wouldn't be able to get the everything.

If you decide to get a new canister filter run it with LR in the cages but this is NOT a recomended way to run a SW as it is a nitrate factory and needs tons of maintenance.

HOB filters are easier to MOD to accept LR and Cheto which can help with the nitrates, but still need a lot of maintenace.

If your dead set staying away from a sump I would go with a HOB filter/skimmer. That gives you the best chance of removeing the bad stuff from your tank whie giving you some ability at bilogical filtration.
 
Roc made some awesome points about the canister - fill it with live rock should you choose to use it at all. Why bio-balls and other biological filter media are detrimental for a reef tank is a story for another day :D Providing you have enough live rock in your tank, and you don't stock the hell out of your tank, running a canister with live rock doesn't seem necessary to me.

Regarding the HOB filter - I've seen them used, though in IME, it is not entirely needed, so long as you stay on top of maintenance. The only time I have used a HOB filter is run carbon for a day or two on my tank. It is good for helping to pull any particulates out of your water column. Some mods can be done to turn it into a refugium to grow macro-algae. Though, if you want a HOB refugium, I would probably go on and get a HOB refugium made by CPR or something similar. They cost more than a HOB filter, but they are far larger, and I find it is easier to work with; no matter which way you look at it, the CPR refugium is going to have more room into than a HOB filter (this is my opinion). The only time I have used a HOB filter is to run carbon for a day or two on my tank.

To me, the most important piece of filtration would have to be a protein skimmer. I suggest getting the baddest, and best protein skimmer you can for the tank. Don't waste your time or money (sadly, I speak from experience :() getting a dinky protein skimmer. Having a protein skimmer on your tank will help remove dissolved organics, proteins, and metabolic waste (amongst other things) from your tank before they are broken down.

All, my $.02; HTH! :)
 
Thanks for the replies.

So it looks like I gotta completely break down the current set up. Since that is the case I should just get a new stand, that way I can run a sump.

BTW why cleaning with vinegar? Is it for the mineral build up? I just like to know the reason im doing something.
 
I service a 46g bow with a sump and a Euro reef, I dunno why you can't have a sump in your stand.

The sump is a TruVu platinum series, not my favorite, but it works.
 
Tuberider- I have a stand that looks like this:
13547_400wh.jpg


As you can see the central area for the filter is pretty small. I have a foot print of around 12"x10".
 
I had that tank and I'll say "SELL IT!!" And, get a new tank/stand. You can get some great deals on combos right now at AC and always on CL.

Bowfronts are a pain in the a$$ down the line. The shape of the tank does not allow the best looking lighting options. I had to custom a 4x39W T5, 1x75W VHO just to get my desired results of color and par/lumens. Also, having external HOB anything is problematic. Save your energy and time, invest in a good "reef ready" tank/stand combo and go from there.

That all said, if you simply can not buy a new tank then here's my $.02:
A canister filter with live rock rubble is not all that bad. A sump doesn't do anything for filtering in of itself, just adds space for you to put in extra filtering capabilities. You could get a small tuperware or rubermaid container for your fuge (very useful!) and completely slap on a HOB Remora skimmer and a small overflow box. Put the canister filter and fuge in the sump, run the overflow directly to the fuge and you are good to go. But, be warned, this will only get you so far! You WILL buy more stuff in the future and the cost of a new tank/stand setup will be only a small portion of what you will spend very shortly.
 
OK thanks all for the info.

After some consultation with the gf we are going with a whole new setup. We are doing a 70gal Oceanic Tech series with a 30gal sump.

Nothing too fancy and nothing custom about it. But it will get me started.

TY Max at aquarium showroom.
 
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