FishProfiles.com Message Forums

I am setting up a 75 gal marine aquarium. I have never used a wet/dry sump filter system before. I bought a pro clear system and i was wondering if anyone knew how to start the flow of water from the tank down to the sump.

"This is one race of people for whom psychoanalysis is of no use whatsoever."
Sigmund Freud (about the Irish)

If it comes with an overflow box that has a syphon tube, you have to fill both sides of the box with water, shove an airline tube up into the U syphon tube and suck the air out without getting a mouth full of saltwater.

---

Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

These systems are a pain to start, but once going you shouldn't have to re-establish suction unless something goes horribly wrong. Be sure to get the airline tubing as far up in the u-tube as possible, so that you can remove most of the air. Having the airline high up also keeps it out of the water, which keeps you from getting a mouthfull of it.

---

And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

so connect it completely and fill both boxes with water, then put an airline tube all the way up thru the U tube that sits in the tank and start suckin?
That makes sense and i never would have thought to do that. Let me know if what i said is right.
/:'

"This is one race of people for whom psychoanalysis is of no use whatsoever."
Sigmund Freud (about the Irish)

Also, how do i get an avatar under my profile name?

"This is one race of people for whom psychoanalysis is of no use whatsoever."
Sigmund Freud (about the Irish)

You got it right.

Also you have to be a premium member to have colors and avatars and whatnot. It's cheap, you should go for it. Support the site that helps you out.

---

Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

I tried that today but i didnt have enough air hose to go up that far so i just put a 5 gallon bucket around where i was (i dont really care if i get water all over the place or not) and, the water at this point is fresh. I have not added the salt yet. I have only filled the tank about 3/4 full with water from my tap (which is well water put thru a water softener, then thru a PUR water filter). I have live figi rock curing in a 30 gallon trash can. I know this will displace the water. I guess I am going to have to put the salt in, get the water warm, then put the rock in, then start the filter. What do you think???
I was just going to get the pump going and get the water conditioned to really good fresh water, then add salt.

Anyway, I think the tank was not filled up enough. When i started the siphon, it would flow, then stop. The water level in the tank only comes to the bottom of the overflow box that sits in the tank. I am thinking that the water level is going to have to be at least half way up the overflow box. I will put more water in but my PUR water filter is toast. I am a little afraid to put softened well water directly into the tank. ANY SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO GET SOFTENED WELL WATER ACCEPTABLE FOR THE TANK.

Am I right about the siphon failing because the water level in the tank it TOO low?????

"This is one race of people for whom psychoanalysis is of no use whatsoever."
Sigmund Freud (about the Irish)

anyone feel like helping here??

"This is one race of people for whom psychoanalysis is of no use whatsoever."
Sigmund Freud (about the Irish)

I guess I am going to have to put the salt in, get the water warm, then put the rock in, then start the filter. What do you think???
I was just going to get the pump going and get the water conditioned to really good fresh water, then add salt.

This is a good way to do it.

Your tank shouldn't have to be full to get the siphon ready. Actually your tank doesn't have to have water in it at all to get the siphon ready. Just the overflow boxes. But to turn on the pump and things like that you have to have the siphon ready, then fill up the tank.

Like I said, if you have the boxes you should only have to fill the boxes, then use the airline method to get the water into the U tube. The U tube has to be in place, you can't move it around or you'll likely lose the siphon. So stick the airline into the top of the U tube, put it into place in the overflow box and suck the air out. Quickly pull the airline out and you should be left with a little air bubble at most.

---

Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Thanks man, got it. Got the rocks and algonite in and the water is a flowin!

"This is one race of people for whom psychoanalysis is of no use whatsoever."
Sigmund Freud (about the Irish)

Congrats, let's see some pics!/:'

---

Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

a little murky...

Attached Image:


"This is one race of people for whom psychoanalysis is of no use whatsoever."
Sigmund Freud (about the Irish)

Nice start C4C any plans for what's goin' in there?

Fish? possible corals?

---

Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

I was going to ask you guys that.
I heard its good to start with invertibrets. What are some good ones to get?
Then eventually I want to put in enenomes and of course fish.

"This is one race of people for whom psychoanalysis is of no use whatsoever."
Sigmund Freud (about the Irish)

I'd start with a clean up crew, sturdy things like blue leg hermits, scarlet reef hermits, astrea and other turbo snails. I'd probably get 20 small hermits and like 40 or so astrea snails to start out with. Let them do their thing for a month or so before getting fish.

Anemones require very strong lighting. On a 75g tank I would recommend at least 2 150w halides with actinic supplementation. Say like 2 4ft actinic VHOs or something like that. Either way you're looking at a few hundred dollars for lighting.

I'd research around a bit on fish if I were you. Get a good book like Scott W. Micheal's "Marine Fish pocketguide" or something like that. See what you like that will fit in a 75g tank then report back here for compatibility issues and stocking. Be thorough and take your time, as this will have a big affect on your tank, and once they are in there, it's very tough to get them out.

---

Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Thanks ALOT Matty!
That sounds like a good plan. I have been reading and wondering what to put in first.
I've done a little research on lighting and the VHO thing comes up. I know i am going to have to spend some dinero on lights.
When i get light on it and some stuff in it i will post another picture.

L8tr

"This is one race of people for whom psychoanalysis is of no use whatsoever."
Sigmund Freud (about the Irish)