New tank

[Summer Mowry]

I bought a 220 gallon tank and need some help with a couple of things. I would like to do a mixed reef tank and am looking for any and all suggestions

1. What sand? I like the white sand but am having a hard time between fine and larger grains
2. I have a sump do I need to do water changes?
3. What cleaner fish and sand sifters do people like?

 

[davocean]

I like caribsea seaflor special grade, good grain size that does not blow around too much w/ good flow.

Weekly WC's w/ good RO/DI are best, 10%

I like a tang for grazing greens, and a variety of snails, nassaurius are great for sand bed, ceriths, nerites, trochus

 

[RMS18]

Agree with above
Go slow, let the tank mature. Do not look for a fix in the bottle.

 

[Firemanreefkeeper]

Smaller grain size will blow around and pile up over time. Certain fish need finer sand to burrow into. It depends on the fish you want to get for the size of grain. I have the figi pink sand in mine and it piles up over the course of a week so I have to spread it back out. It's not the end of the world as it keeps my sand bed mixed up and clean.
Sumps are great as they allow for greater water volume and room for additional equipment that is hidden away. I would still water change with a sump. 10% total water volume per week is the norm.
Tangs are great to eat algae on the rocks. They graze all day long. Trocus snails are good too. They clean well and very seldom knock anything over. Plus if they fall off the rocks they are able to flip back over. Plus they are usually large enough that they don't go down the overflow and get stuck in the pipes. Nassarius snails do burrow into the sand and mix it. Blue leg hermits do a good job at keeping your tank clean too.

 

[Summer Mowry]

Do you guys think I need an RODI system?

 

[Xclusive Reef]

Do you guys think I need an RODI system?

rodi should be one the first things you buy. Not being a wise butt but do you know the water cycle? like how it works and all? my suggestion is do a load of research and read the getting started posts on here. Don't rush, by the questions you asking I would honestly hold off a few weeks. how to cycle, when to do water changes, when to turn lights, skimmer etc on. what to have in hand like medication, when to know when your cycle is complete, test kits, and the list goes on and on.

for your question: I used very fine sand and it blew all over the place, sure it looks nice but too much headache. I use the tonga crushed sand. RODI yes yes yes you will need it and will be doing water changes for about 1 year until tank matures. davocean pretty much summed it up. I just got a goby yesterday and he is causing havoc in my tank. he is digging all over the place and starting to annoy me. On a 220 gal tank I would get a sand shifting star fish, the mentioned snails, red leg hermit crabs and a fighting conch.

 

[Summer Mowry]

Thank you for your advice!!!
I have done a crap ton of research my issue is i am constantly hearing difference in opinions. My local fish shop said water changes wouldn’t be needed nor would a RODI. Hence why I was asking as like I said even online there were differences in opinion. I know I have a lot to learn as there is so much that goes into these tanks. I have posted about my drawing of my fish tank and the equipment I plan on using and so far it seems it seems I am on the right track but we will see!!!

rodi should be one the first things you buy. Not being a wise *** but do you know the water cycle? like how it works and all? my suggestion is do a load of research and read the getting started posts on here. Don't rush, by the questions you asking I would honestly hold off a few weeks. how to cycle, when to do water changes, when to turn lights, skimmer etc on. what to have in hand like medication, when to know when your cycle is complete, test kits, and the list goes on and on.

for your question: I used very fine sand and it blew all over the place, sure it looks nice but too much headache. I use the tonga crushed sand. RODI yes yes yes you will need it and will be doing water changes for about 1 year until tank matures. davocean pretty much summed it up. I just got a goby yesterday and he is causing havoc in my tank. he is digging all over the place and starting to annoy me. On a 220 gal tank I would get a sand shifting star fish, the mentioned snails, red leg hermit crabs and a fighting conch.

 

[Summer Mowry]

I am familiar with the water cycle I have had more the my fair share of science classes as a science major. With this being said Like you said I am a couple of weeks before setting up my tank but want to make sure everything is right before I hit the power button . My biggest issue is everyone has different advice.

 

[Xclusive Reef]

I am familiar with the water cycle I have had more the my fair share of science classes as a science major. With this being said Like you said I am a couple of weeks before setting up my tank but want to make sure everything is right before I hit the power button . My biggest issue is everyone has different advice.

If your local fish shop told you that you don't need a rodi unit for a 200 gallon tank then I would look for a different lfs!!! how did this lfs tell you to get your tank started as far as water? are they trying to sell you the water?

Also yes you going to hear many people tell you different things but come on man the basics are the basics. I want to see one person that tells me that you do not ever need to do water changes? How do you think you balance the nitrates, phosphates etc in the water? WATER CHANGES ( this is in the beginning) Yes once your tank is established you will minimize the amount of water changes you do but you will for sure need to do them.

 

[Summer Mowry]

They said I could buy the water and that I wouldn’t need to do water changes if I had a good enough filtration system in place.

If your local fish shop told you that you don't need a rodi unit for a 200 gallon tank then I would look for a different lfs!!! how did this lfs tell you to get your tank started as far as water? are they trying to sell you the water?

Also yes you going to hear many people tell you different things but come on man the basics are the basics. I want to see one person that tells me that you do not ever need to do water changes? How do you think you balance the nitrates, phosphates etc in the water? WATER CHANGES ( this is in the beginning) Yes once your tank is established you will minimize the amount of water changes you do but you will for sure need to do them.

 

[Gonebad395]

Yeah look for a new lfs they are setting you up for failure by selling you things and then giving you false information so you buy from them for the fixes. I’ve had my fair share of large tanks medium tanks and small and water changes are needed. Some will say they aren’t but they are. And welcome can’t wait to see the new tank. As for the substrate it’s all up to you and what you like. Tangs will graze all day for you and I like my blue leg hermits for a cuc along with verifiably snails.

 

[Summer Mowry]

Thanks for the advice!!! That’s unfortunate about the store I’ve been using what sucks more is I live in a rural area the next pet store is an hour and a half away. But a good store is a good store!!

Yeah look for a new lfs they are setting you up for failure by selling you things and then giving you false information so you buy from them for the fixes. I’ve had my fair share of large tanks medium tanks and small and water changes are needed. Some will say they aren’t but they are. And welcome can’t wait to see the new tank. As for the substrate it’s all up to you and what you like. Tangs will graze all day for you and I like my blue leg hermits for a cuc along with verifiably snails.

 

[Firemanreefkeeper]

You will want an RODI system for sure. It's the best way to get the water you need. I went on the whole, I don't need water changes my water is fine craze. I got dinos, then cyano from my nitrates and phosphates being too high. Even if you are the lucky one that doesn't need water changes, you still need water to top off your tank every day or to mix a gallon of saltwater to replace what you lose from skimming, filter changes, ECT. It will pay for itself in the long run.

 

[Summer Mowry]

I am currently on hard well water. Are there any systems you recommend?

 

[Xclusive Reef]

If your local fish shop told you that you don't need a rodi unit for a 200 gallon tank then I would look for a different lfs!!! how did this lfs tell you to get your tank started as far as water? are they trying to sell you the water?

They said I could buy the water and that I wouldn’t need to do water changes if I had a good enough filtration system in place.

i am sure others will chime in but in my opinion a todo is needed. Sounds like they just wanna make some money from you. Your call but you will need to do water changes. There is really no such thing as a “good filter”, we all have the same stuff. People that don’t do water changes are systems that are established 1+ years. Good luck

 

[Xclusive Reef]

I am currently on hard well water. Are there any systems you recommend?

I have good water in nyc and I still went with a 6 stage brs. I have 4-5 tds coming in and 0 going out.

 

[Summer Mowry]

Thank you for the info!!!!

i am sure others will chime in but in my opinion a todo is needed. Sounds like they just wanna make some money from you. Your call but you will need to do water changes. There is really no such thing as a “good filter”, we all have the same stuff. People that don’t do water changes are systems that are established 1+ years. Good luck

 

[Firemanreefkeeper]

I have a seven stage system. I feel it does a better job than the 6 does. I had a 6 stage and burned the DI resin out pretty quickly but after adding the 7th stage I've ran over 400 gallons through it and it's still got some life left in it. It's an expensive startup but it gives you the best water.

 

[lapin]

I am currently on hard well water. Are there any systems you recommend?

Hard well water is hard on the ro membrane as scale builds up the membrane looses its effectiveness. If you have a house water softener this will help. You can have your water tested to see exactly whats in it. This will help you decide what sort of filters and resin you need. Co2 in the water can deplete your resin very quickly. I know 1 person that uses 1000 tds well water and no rodi and has successfull tanks.
For sand I use a mix of 4 Tropic Eden reef flakes. Some areas its fine some its bigger some its a mix.
Miniflakes - 2.0mm
Mesoflakes - 2.7mm
Reefflakes - 3.0mm
Reefflakes Grand Select - 4.5mm
My sand sleeping wrasses like it. My sand sifter goby likes it too.
Note about the sand sifter / miner goby family. You need to be sure you dont mind them moving your sand to where they want it.
A mix of snails is a good option for helping clean your tank. Some live on rock, some in the sand, some on plants and some like to crawl out of the tank. Urchins are always good eaters of stuff on your rocks. You need to be careful of all clean up crews. They can starve if not enough food is avail.
And yes you will need to do water changes. For 1 it removes unwanted excess nutrients. Each changes adds back cal, mag and trace elements which your tank needs. For the first year water changes are all you will need to do to keep things in line.
Dont take too much advice from your LFS about adding chemicals and other junk your tank does not need. They need to sell things to stay in business so be wary.
If you have an issue I would post it here for some opinions before asking theirs. Remember all tanks are different so opinions can be good and bad.