New to Salwater

[Old Glory]

Hi I am new to saltwater. I have been keeping freshwater fish for two years now and I am looking to start a saltwater tank.

I am not looking to set up a reef tank. I have been doing some research online and reading books. I want to start with a FOWLR tank around 90 gallons. For me right now it is all about the fish (I was inspired by a snorkeling trip on my Honeymoon in Hawaii). IF I add corals it will be very hardy fish friendly types. My new wife is going to kill me this is an expensive hobby!

I have been told that a sump is not necessary. The live rock provides ample biological filtration and with a protein skimmer and a canister or HOB filter I would be fine.

I am confused after doing some more research and reading. My goal is a FOWLR. I would like to have some corals and possibly some inverts. So right now I am looking for the best set up for FOWLR and anemones, urchins, starfish, and possibly some easy corals. Again I am setting this up for the fish so if I can't have corals I will not be disappointed.

I want a sump to increase the water volume and hide the heater and skimmer but I am totally confused as to which method to use. What is the best way to set that up?

My filtration thoughts were:
Live Rock
Canister
Skimmer


My fish wish list is:
3 Yellow Tangs
Flame Angel
Humu Trigger
2 Clowns
Flame Hawkfish
3 Banggai Cardinals
Banner Fish
Wrasse
Lion Fish



1. How should I set up the Sump?
I am getting many different opinions. Can a refugium handle the waste production of fish or is it best for Reefs only? I was told by one person it was critical but also told by a different person that it would not be useful in a FOWLR tank.
Is a Wet/Dry bio-ball set up better for fish...but will it work for limited hardy corals? I was told it would be great for FOWLR but also that it would be a nightmare for Nitrate.
Is there some combination of the two that will work?

2. The LFS told me to just have a sump for a skimmer and heater and to use a canister filter with mixed media. If I go this route can I just use basic 30 gallon tank as a sump and save money, do I need all those baffles?

Advice appreciated

Thanks

[Reefing Madness]

http://www.aquariumforum.com/f67/new-salt-18892.html

[Old Glory]

Thanks RM -
I actually posted here first but was having difficulties and it never appeared on the forum. I thought it was pending review by a moderator.

Thank you for your replies.

OG

[Reefing Madness]

Thanks RM -
I actually posted here first but was having difficulties and it never appeared on the forum. I thought it was pending review by a moderator.

Thank you for your replies.

OG

That sucks, sorry you had issues. Hopefully you its all been worked out.

[leebca]

OG,

There are many options for setups. It's sort of up to you and what 'fits' in the space you have. A sump isn't necessary, however it does make some things easier. Water flows out of the main tank to the sump where it is treated -- mechanical filter, skimmer, chemical filter, heater, chiller, and almost any other treatment you might have in mind. Then the water is pumped from there back into the main tank. Without a sump all of the ancillary equipment can be placed on the tank (hang on), or under the tank (inside a cabinet -- more common). It's up to you.

This link takes you to a post that gives some basics with regards to setup, equipment, testing, etc.: Setting Up a FOWLR Aquarium My experience and knowledge is mostly in the FOWLR area: Bio - Lee (a.k.a. leebca) If you want to lean towards a reef aquarium (defined loosely and having immobile invertebrates [which include corals]) you may get setup information by posting in the Reef Aquariums Forum.

1. A refugium certainly isn't necessary. A well stocked aquarium, with ammonia waste producing marine lifeforms will generate a lot of wastes generally not totally processed by the refugium. For instance, there will likely be an excess of organics. A very large refugium still would lack the ability to handle all the organics. A refugium has its own fauna and flora and is an interesting experience in itself, but by no means is the main tank dependent upon having one.

With enough live rock and proper substrate, together with adequate circulation, additional biological filtration (bio-balls) won't be necessary. See the above linked post for more on this. All biological filtration in the classification of nitrification will produce, as their end product, nitrates. Nitrates, whether produced by substrate, bio-balls, or even bacteria on the sidewalls of the aquarium will have to be controlled if you want a reef aquarium. Not too important with fishes, though.

2. The design of the sump serves the purposes noted above. The baffles help in channeling the water and reducing bubbles. The return pump will pick up tiny bubbles left in the sump water and return them to the main display, making tiny bubbles in the water, which hobbyists try to avoid. The sump can be any container, including a new plastic tub (made of suitable material that won't contaminate the water).

The books you have read or should be able to obtain will show pictures, diagrams, etc. of different setups. The link above to my biography has a link to what my setup looks like.

I'd avoid the Yellow Tangs for that sized aquarium. Also, they tend to get more beligerent with age. If you're new to stocking marine systems, you might want to review these posts: Fish Stocking Limit - for FO and FOWLR
and
What Size Tank is Right for That Fish?

This link will take you to a link other links on subjects of interest: Table/Contents - Link List

If you have more questions or if I missed some, don't hesitate to ask.

[Old Glory]

Thank you the responses have been extremely informative.

I think I have the bugs worked out posting seems fine.