1st Salt tank

adamrobinson · Apr 10, 2013

Well i hav eben keep and breading wild caught african Cichlids for a number of years, as well as discus and a few other varieties in fact i had a 150 tank fish room going in my old house however thats all been sold off an my wife and i are going to be purchasing a show tank type setup for our main family room. We have been to a number of LFS an have had a number of opinions on whats need for a inital setup and what things should cost.

We are looking at a 90 gallong tank and just wondering what are the key things we need to get going.

1st post and thank you for your help

Trentondrummer33 · Apr 10, 2013

Well a few things, first does the tank have an over flow already installed? And second what do you plan on keeping in there? Coral? Fish only ect?

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mike007 · Apr 10, 2013

Depends on what you are going to put in that tank. If you plan on a reef you will need a sump,protein skimmer,cured live rock, and good lighting depended on what corals you house. Test kits are a must. You will need powerheads are some other means for water circulation. The sky is the limit as far as setting up a reef. You can go basic are you can go crazy. It all depends on how much money you want to spend.

larangcon · Apr 10, 2013

Welcome Adam, I would read up first and then decide what you want your tank to be. Check the section where members talk about their tank.

SeahorseKeeper · Apr 10, 2013

Welcome to R2R!! I think one of the most important things to starting a saltwater tank is patience. It takes time to get the tank stable. I would recommend checking out the article section to get started.

adamrobinson · Apr 11, 2013

We want to build a reef tank with a few fish and some corals, we have loved the look of saltwater and after years and years of a full fish room i want something that i can enjoy as a center piece. I know we will need a sump, protein skimmer, stand tank we are thinking 90 gallon. power heads and stuff i was priced out around $2600 for a setup of course this doesnt include fish.

ReeferBob · Apr 11, 2013

I would not buy a setup put together by "most" local fish stores. Usually it includes mostly cheap skimmers, lights, etc. Buy the tank from them and get the other stuff after doing your research (probably online for most of it). Also I highly advise you NOT to take any advice that they give without coming to this board first and running it by us. They want to sell you product #1, we want you to be successful #1. $4000 is probably a good starting point without fish for a decent setup capable of supporting corals. Plan on 30 days from the time you put in water until the time you put in ANYTHING alive. Research what fish you want, are those fish reef safe, what fish those fish are compatible with, what order those fish need to be introduced into the tank, etc.

Good Luck!

Some of the basic things you will want:
tank RR 90
sump - make your own
light ATI 4x48"
skimmer SRO
Heater
Controller
Power Heads 2x Hydor
Rock - base rock is fine
substrate - 100% aragonite
RO/DI setup

Bow · Apr 11, 2013

Check Craig's list for a tank and stand. If you find one you like it could save $$$. If you are planning a reef tank definatly get one drilled with overflows, or drill one yourself. Kicking my self for not going that route.