Brand New Saltwater Noob

SaltwaterEric · Oct 27, 2015

Hey everyone,
I just purchased a 38 gallon cube tank. (not drilled and it wont be.) I need good advice on what I should actually do to it. I have a 10 gallon sump aswell, im just in need of advice on what equipment I should purchase since I have such a small tank. I also want to aquascape it but I have no idea on how to do any of that. ive been part of the community for a while and got loads of info. but I just keep stalling. so please if anyone is reading this. please give me advice on how I should set-up my tank.

KJ · Oct 27, 2015

Welcome to R2R

chaoha · Oct 27, 2015

Welcome

SaltwaterEric · Oct 27, 2015

thank you, any advice on what type of overflow box, protein skimmer (if needed), return pump?

Tahoe61 · Oct 27, 2015

Welcome.

Well you're going to need an overflow if you're not going to drill the tank, and yet you still want to use the sump. Or you could just use the 10 as your automated top off reservoir.
I prefer to use dry rock to avoid pest. Do not buy chunks of rock, buy pieces with character, avoid boulders.
Choose a sand color and grain you like, personally I avoid crushed coral and fine grain sand.

You're going to have to start looking at scapes that appeal to you, and just start asking questions.

What kind of corals do you want, do you even want corals?

What do you have for lighting?

saltyphish · Oct 27, 2015

I like the looks of cube tanks. I plan on building a 60g in the future. If your not drilling then you are going to want to get a overflow box. http://reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/ check out this link to get you started. Mainly take it slow ask lots of questions. Use liverock and live sand for your aquascape. I went to the members tanks forums to get ideas for rock placement.

dmort · Oct 27, 2015

Assuming you have a stand -

You need a lighting, in tank circulation pump/pumps, LR and sand, and if you intend to use the sump you need an HOB overflow (since you aren't drilling). To get the water back up you need a return pump. You need the tubing or pipe in between the HOB overflow and the sump and the tubing or pipe between the return pump and your in-tank return. You might like a skimmer in the sump. You need salt mix, you need test kit, and you need a refractometer. You need to accomdate for evaporation by using an auto top off or by topping it off yourself. You likely need a heater.

Many people find that an aquarium controller saves money in the long run - it can control a lot of these devices for you. I wish I had bought an apex but I cheaped out and bought a used digital aquatics reefkeeper lite - which manages what I really need it to.

Probably you should start looking through some build threads and seeing what other people do and then start keeping a doc of the items you need.

And welcome to R2R!

melypr1985 · Oct 27, 2015

Welcome Eric! The size of the return pump depends on what you want to keep in the way of corals. Plus, if it's undersized then you can make up the lack of flow with powerheads. So, what kind of corals do you want if you want any at all?

steelheader.262 · Oct 27, 2015

Welcome!!!

Vivid Aquariums · Oct 28, 2015

I know everyone wants you to go all out and add a sump to this tank but you could go with more of a simple and easy to manage set up. I have many customers with tanks the same size as yours that have been very successful with the keep it simple method. I would stock the tank with 38-40lbs of live rock and about an inch or so of sand, this should meet your biological filtration needs. In the back remove any kind of bio media and instead use a bag of carbon, a bag of gfo or other phosphate removing media and a sponge. Instead of running a skimmer since you have very little space to work with I would recommend weekly water changes of about 3-5g to keep nitrates at a good level also pull and rinse all the media the day after water changes. A small powerhead like a hydor nano or a mp10 should provide plenty of flow to supplement the return pump. The key to this set up is not overstocking the tank or over feeding, 3-5 small fish should be ok, if you need any suggestions feel free to pm me.