giant leap to salt!!!!!!!

ok sw peeps need some advice. i have a 125 gal that i want to go salt with. i have 2 filtration systems on it, emp 400 and cascade 1000. do i really need to get a protein skimmer, sump ect???? been doing some reading and all that stuff does is pretty much just filter. so what im asking is if it will be ok to just add the salt water, live sand and live rock? also can i just use the water that is currently in the tank and add salt to it? thanks everyone.

Wow congrats on your new venture!
I can only imagine how beautiful your salt water will look, considering how awesome all your fresh water tanks look!!

sounds like an adventure i will soon go down.( if the wife let me)

It would be o.k. to use the water but I'd get a skimmer though.
It is another type of filtration, but it's the only form of aquarium filtration that physically removes organic compounds before they begin to decompose, lightening the load on the biological filter and improving the water's redox potential.

A must have on a tank that big because I know you're gonna load it up.

i know of a cpl ppl that have 150G without a sump!!
if your going to go with just those two filters your going to have to keep up with your water changes and keep your paraneters in check constantly!
the use of a sump isnt just to filter! its also to expand your volume of water! the more water volume the easier it is to keep your params in check! and the more time it will take your system to crash IF IT EVER DOES!!!! potein skimmer arent that neccessary. same thing with the sump kind of. just keep up with your water changes WEEKLY and youll be ok.....i ido suggest getting one though be cuz its very beneficial to you system. it provides more oxygen for your fish and will help controll your bio load! and knowing you want alot of nice loking fish in it youll need it!

you can just start off right now with just sand and live rock and those two filters!! but it isnt goin to be cheap! you are going to need about 130-140lbs of live rock for that 125g! and LR is not cheap! its worth it though becuz your LR also acts as a filter!!!!(biological filtration).


do you plan on goin REEF?? or FOWLR? (Fish Only With Live Rock)

ohhh, this sounds interesting. i will be following this thread closely.

i plan on going rock and fish only. my wife has been the one asking me to go salt ever since she went to the fish store with me. she walked through the fw side and it only took her like 2 min to go though it but when she got to sw side i had to pry her out. but some good info so far. i mean i plan on getting a skimmer, i just wanted to know if the set up i had was enough to get started.

also you going to need alot of flow for a tank that size!!
knowing women!! they like the pretty fancy fish! l(like my wife she usually likes tangs and wants one) you tank size is pretty good for most tangs but they need alot of water movement!! your 2 filters alone will not have the desired flow will will demand lol look into koralia powerheads or wave makers even though wavemakers are mainly for coral growth it would still be good for a fowlr tank. water movement is key in any tank type!. that way poop or debris doenst just sit their and accumilate! it looks nasty! especially in SW tanks!

youy do have enough to get started just get some pwerheads!!

just watch!! that FOWLR will turn into a reef soon!! your wifey will demand it!! LOL

sweet!!!!!! time to sell all my cichlids!!!!!! i will take before and after pics and keep everyone posted. thanks guys!!!!

KOO!!!
just make sure you keep us updated:)
we need a good salt thread!
not one were ppl just say "good job" or "looking good" and only has 1-2 pages of that lol we want info advice pointers pictures and tons more!!!!:)
good luck with your cichlids and selling em:)

the very best way to go with a saltwater tank is with a skimmer and a sump/fuge. because it never hurts to have a larger water volume and you can keep macro in the fuge which is great for nutrient export however if you plan to stay with a fowlr you will be just fine with the filtration that you mentioned with your LR and sand just remember these type filters can be nitrate factory so watch your params.
you can also use two HOB skimmers instead of the canister filters the Remora's are a good choice as far as flow MP40's are a great choice but pricey I have 2 on my 180 and love them but since you want a fowlr the Koralia evos are good 1400 gph for your size tank should work well. use a screen top to keep jumpers in the tank and to help with gas exchange. remember it only takes one coral to make the beginning of a reef then the whole game is changed.
good luck with your build!

^^^
DUDE!!!! POST PICS OF YOUR 180 PLZ!!!!!