Hello from the UK

Hi there

I have been keeping tropical reef tanks for 4 years now. I have shut down my mixed coral reef this year and I have come to appreciate the cold water or native British marine life. I have come to the decision to research how best to set up a British native marine aquarium.

There is very little information on this subject and I have come to this forum through the salty box forum - I think that is correct-

I want to learn as much as possible before embarking on a project - I have two options to use my current set up which is a tall tank approx 22in x 23in x 36in which is currently plumbed into a 36in sump in a cabinet. I would like to use the sump as the filter or to house filters in there - using an Ocean runner return pump to push the water back up.

Or I can build a new sumpless system on the same cabinet - I am thinking acrylic (thick) which will be filtered using a large power filter and a hang on skimmer. I have a vortech MP40 pump which is capable of very high turnover in the main display with pulses - waves etc

I have been taking inspiration from (very few) British reefers who are experimenting with native tanks - and I have some creatures which I would like to obtain for my tank in the near future

more to come soon


regards

J

Hi, welcome... I'm new two.

As for your post. I think that the more water volume in your system the better. If you have a system with a sump, use it! lol... most people try to build them, not remove them

And I had my first temperate tank turn into stinky dead fish sludge when summer hit. You will have to look into a "chiller" which is a good DIY project.

Welcome to TR!

Okay I would keep your sump. Also keep in mind temperate tanks take much longer to cycle then tropical tanks. Often 3 weeks-month at the fastest.

Thats okay - I take a very precautionary approach with my tropical reefs anyway - I tend to cycle them for 3 to 4 weeks

I am also not in any hurry to rush into the temperate reef tank - I need to convince my other half the merit of keeping the existing set up lol

J

lol this is going to be an awesome tank. I still regret getting rid of mine.
Keep us updated. I really want to watch the entire process.

Well the set up is going - I am going to put together a new system from scratch - I am keeping my LED's, Return pump, and auto top up.

I want to build the new tank out of 1" acrylic - I like the 36in x 20in x 20in size tank - I have not found out the cost yet!

The next stage will be to plan the small fish room or the fish tank area in the new extended kitchen/utility room - I fancy putting in a wet room and maybe have a part of that as my fish tank room.

So in the next few weeks my ideas will be posted on here with sketches and diagrams showing how the system is going to work......

Fish rooms are always cool .