Questions about DAS tank

Hi, im getting ready to convert my 175 gal DAS tank to saltwater. Does anyone have any advice or experience with these tanks? I used it for freshwater and everything was fine, but don't really know much about the filtration and how it will work with sw. I have a small 50 gal predator tank now. Lion fish, snowflake eel, serpent starfish, chocolate chip starfish. We want to add some color, but don't know what will survive with the other fish.

is it one with the built in das filter? i had a das tank before but i ditched the in tank filter in favor of an overflow box and refugium setup.

Does the filtration not work very well?

Hopefully this helps. I have both the H29 and H39 filter.

http://www.petstorefixtures.com/H29___H39_Drawings___Instructions_JPG.pdf

Although, they say the h29 is for FW setup I have mine setup as SW and the H39 setup as FW LOL.

Thank you so much, haven't been able to find a diagram anywhere. Mine is set up all wrong. I have a powerhead running out of each chamber. I had no idea what a denitra bag was, kinda still don't. So, do i just need a powerhead on the first chamber? Mine is the h39. Also don't have protein skimmers, just using the tank the way it was setup when i bought it. I really appreciate all your help.

Im still a bit confused. On the h39, it shows to spool chambers, mine has four, and two protein skimmer chambers. Is it just a bigger version or what?

maybe you could take a picture of yours. I've only seen these two types. I'm assuming that yours is a bigger version. For the saltwater setup I removed the spool/sponge and filled up that chamber with rubble rock. Another chamber is filled with cheato. I don't use the denitra but I know it is used to help reduce nitrates.

Hope this helps.

Oh and I use a Hang on tank protein skimmer.

Yeah, i will definitely take a pic tomorrow. I can use all the help i can get.

Do you think i need a protein skimmer. Some say yes, some no.

If you were just a little closer, i would tell you to come out and look at it. I live in Pilot Point.

You're more than welcome to come look at my setup if you're interested.

Im not in that area too often, but yeah i would like that. I was looking last night, do you think it's possible that i have the H99 setup? My fish are doing fine in the setup im using now. Nothing special, just lights and hang on filter. Do have a little algae problem, but thats it. Just want my big tank to be nice, without spending a bunch of money. im actually even selling some of my reptiles to help fund it.

lizardking, thebuilt in das skimmers work fine for about 6 months whennew and will only continue to work if you provide constant maintenace, i dont like the internal filters on das tank due to teh real estate they take up, a reef ready tanks overflow box is smaller than the das built in filters.

if you plan to keep corals and anemones i say yes a skimmer should be used, however if you plan on FO or FOWLR then you dont need a skimmer but make sure to keep up on your wc's

I thought maybe we would get a few corals over time. Mostly just want a predator tank, but don't know what combo of fish i can use. I agree, the filters do take alot of room, but those four big spools really keep the water clean. If you don't have enough LR, could that cause problems with algae? I plan to get rid of my eel, what can i put with my lion fish, and serpent star? We want more predators, but also would like some schooling fish for color.

with a lionfish rule of thumb is if it will fit in its mouth it becomes dinner. only way you can have scooling fish is to get rid of thelion and if the brittle star is a gree one it will have to go also

i hate to hear that. I love my Lion fish.

I don't think it requires a lot of work, but then again I took out the spool/sponge. I was told that they eventually become nitrate nightmares if you don't clean them out often. I filled up that chamber with rubble rock. The only type of filtration I have on my das tank is the live rock, rubble rock, skimmer and deep sand bed.

So that keeps it clean and i don't need the spools? That would be nice if i didn't have anything to clean. Wonder if i could fill all 4 chambers with rubble rock? Would that keep it clean?

nope live rock rubble is better, if you need a filter for particulate matter then i would use a disposable pad. i know the feeling, i had a volitan once and i hated it when he finally passed on. once i finally get the 110 set up and everythig moved over i am going to replace my lion and maybe even get myself a porcupine puffer.

I agree with lordraptor. I would put mostly live rubble rock and if you wanted something to catch matter than use a disposable pad in one of the chambers. I don't have a pad at all. I have a cleaner shrimp and brittle stars that clean up most any mess and my water is clear.