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Hi, have decided to change from freshwater to marine. Before I get large setup - I want to play with my 80litre tank first - I have a small hang on back filter which I need to upgrade - question is sump or canister. I don't have heaps of $ but want to keep corals and possibly one fish very happy. Any suggestions? I'm looking for basic & cheap, but not nasty. Thanks

By the way, Live rock is banned from sale where I'm at. So do you know how long I have to wait for optimum bacteria levels?

I'd go with a sump...but that's just me.

I think they're amazing inventions...right off the bat, they can add tons of water volume to your system, and the more water you have means the more stable your overall system will be. They're a place to hide equipment...I keep all my heaters, pumps, skimmer, everything in the sump, so that the main display looks clean and natural.

In addition, they make a great home to problem fish (like the mischievious clam tipping blenny). You can use them for vegetable filtration, and use special algaes and whatnot to help filter. You could do living filters in there, like clams or something. (I think this was Nate's idea?) You can culture live pods and shrimps for the critters in your main display to eat. Choose substrate and media size appropriately, and you'll have copepods or amphipods forever.

Having a sump means you can do a reverse photoperiod set up to prevent your pH from dropping dangerously low at night.

Sumps are just great.

On another note...

Banned from live rock? *dies* How is that possible? Can you have it shipped?

-Ferret



[hr width='40%'][font color="#000080"]
I tear my heart open, I sew myself shut
My weakness is that I care too much
And my scars remind me that the past is real
I tear my heart open just to feel
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-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

Thanks very much for your thoughts - I'm figuring out that sumps are the way to go. They just seem very complicated. I'm not afraid of DIY - I just want to get it right - I'm a fussy begger and really want to do the best set up I can for my buck. Looks like I may have to get a bit more technical than I'm used to. Suggestions are welcome (as are poss pitfalls).

As to the banning of live rock - I'm in New Zealand. I haven't investigated it thoroughly but all my LFS have told me its been banned - NZ is a bit clean and green and may have decided that its not in best interest to import that kind of stuff - could be possible for me to bring it in anyway but I see lots of red tape. Surely if I'm patient and cycle well - it'll be just as good (and without unwanted hitchhikers)

I guess I'm right about not able to get any live rock - these comments were posted on a NZ fishsite(I just found this). See quotes below:

"As many of you probably already know, importers throughout NZ received a letter from MAF regarding the importation of corals on Friday. It effectively said that for any coral being brought into the country attached to a piece of live rock, the importer would have to prove that the rock is totally free of hitch-hikers which are not permitted as per the allowed list."

"I don't really see it being a big deal. Technically this is the way its always been (or at least for many years).
MAF - If your reading hear this. The harder you try and restrict harmless imports for legitimate business's the more you will fuel the necessity for ilegal/smuggled goods to come into the country. I would urge you control the importation not overly restrict it."

"It is a very big deal and coral importing could stop due to too many idiot importers trying to bring in live rock."


I'm not interested in smuggling so dead rock is the way for me.....

I guess it can be a little intimidating if your tank is not predrilled, and if you dont have much exposure to that type of set up.

Honestly, I'm so glad my dad has a history in plumbing, because I couldn't have figured it out myself.

But now hopefully I can help you along if you have questions, the plumbing is always the trickiest part of a new tank.

As for the live rock...wow. That's really rotten. I dont even know what to say...

Other then the bell just rung and it's time for my next class.

-Ferret

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish