• What's on this site...??

• Original tank and experience.

• Current "mini" reef tank.

• My brother's reef tank.

MY STORY and THOUGHTS on maintaining a saltwater tank...

I began my adventure into saltwater fish in February 1997 when I made the jump from freshwater and to the colorful and mysterious world of saltwater fish...I have learned a lot since February 1997 and one the biggest things is that this hobby requires both patience and a lot of work...and of course a lot of money. If you are not willing to do maintenance such as water changes at least 10% every month reef keeping is not for you. 

EQUIPMENT

I am no expert, but I have researched and mostly used the trial and error method since starting my marine aquarium in 1997 and this is the equipment I have chosen to use.

I currently have a 75 gallon All-Glass aquarium with 1 corner overflow (AG twinflow corner overflow unit) and a 20 gallon sump. I used the standard pieces for the overflow unit that came with the AG tank for a short time but learned it was too noisy for my liking and changed to the Durso overflow design. This design is very quite and was easy to do. I used 3/4 inch pipe for this design instead of 1 inch which the Durso website recommended. This smaller size is more ideal because of the limited area in the All-Glass overflow unit. I also use foam inserts to quiet my tank even more than the Durso modification. I have this foam both in the overflow where the water flows over into the stand pipe and also in the sump where water comes from the standpipe and from the skimmer. These also provide for mechanical filtration.

In the sump (pictures below)...I use a Red Sea Berlin Skimmer powered by a Rio 3100 pump. My main return pump is also a Rio 3100 which is split into 2 returns into the tank. I also use a Rio 800 with the oscillating head in the main tank for water movement. This unit is hidden within the live rock and provides for a cheap alternative to water movement. UPDATE: I have removed this oscillating head because it would continually get stuck in the rocks. I continue to use a "in tank" Rio Pump for water movement. But I know use a Rio 400 with the inline filter buried in the live rock. I also use a couple of power heads for surface movement. Water movement is important in a reef tank. There are lots of knocks on these Rio Pumps, but I have had success with them and they are cheap. Watch it though because if it runs dry it will burn up. I have had several burn up and had to replace.

You can see the Berlin skimmer sitting to the right of this 20 gallon (tall) aquarium. The skimmer sits in the water and drops directly down into the "clean water" side which is returned to the main tank. The skimmer is fed by a Rio 3100 pump which is on the left "dirty water" side. The water coming from the main tank is dropped down into this sump tank on the left "dirty water" side where it is mechanically and chemically (when needed) filtered before passing into the skimmer and released into the "clean water" (right hand) side of the sump and returned to the main tank via a Rio 3100 pump. You can notice the partition in the sump which I made using Plexiglas and silicon caulk. The mechanical filtration which many do not feel is necessary is done by "egg crate" sponge which is full of bacteria. The egg crate also provide for some quieting of the water. 

You will notice to far right of the picture a five gallon bucket. This is used to top of the tank when evaporation takes place. I keep the bucket full of prepared water which is produced by a Hi-Silicate Reverse Osmosis/DI Water System from Kent Marine (picture below). If you want to do it right you need to invest in one of these systems. The water is pumped from the bucket by a Rio 400 pump which is triggered by a Ultralife Float Valve which you can barely see suctioned to the sump tank just to the right of the wood partition. The top off system works very well for me. Below you can get a better look at the float valve. When the water level falls the white "cork" falls with it and triggers the pump to turn on and add water back to the tank.

I have since moved from a 5 gallon bucket to a 35 gallon tough neck trash can for my top off system. I have basically cut out the middle step of producing water in one buck and moving it to another bucket which is then used to top off the tank. I use the RO/DI to produce water directly into the 35 gallon trash bucket and let the Ultralife float valve trigger the Rio Pump to move the water directly from the bucket to the tank. I also am able to utilize this system to do my water changes every month. 

Below you can get a better look at how the water is delivered to the sump. It comes from the main tank via the All-Glass Stock Overflow.

It is then dropped into the tank into an old Skilter Brand Filter. The idea here was to quiet the water noise and also provide a means for additional chemical and mechanical filtration when needed.

Random tank shots...

Contact me at: saltwater@aurx.net

FISH PICTURES 
(have pictures to contribute email them to me)