First saltwater tank, tips & advice?

[Diwrigh]

Hello my names Daniel, and I have a couple years in freshwater, but this is my first attempt at salt!

I just picked up a 36g bowfront from petsmart, here is the link:
https://www.petsmart.com/fish/tanks...on-36-gallon-led-aquarium-ensemble-48561.html

I will be bracing the stand (it's pretty flimsy so I'm just going to out a few 2X4's in the corners to give it strength and stability) and then get a little live rock, substrate, and RO water from LFS and start cycling hopefully this Sunday!

In summary, I want to have 2 clowns, and maybe a couple firefish or glenny's or maaaaybe a small angel (I know I know, a 36 is too small) but we will see. Hoping to add an anem for the clowns down the road once I have the hang of it, and some LPS once things settle down. Since this is my first tank, relatively small, and it is not drilled, I'm going to do a sumpless setup, with a HOB Tidal 55 filter, and a HOB protein scimmer (not sure which yet, need to find the quietest one possible for my setup as its going to be in my bedroom)

In order to get the reef setup I am aiming for, I know to start cycling I will immediately need...
-25 lbs live rock (will add more later as we go)
-20/30lbs live reef sand
-RO water (going to initially purchase from LFS)
-HOB Tidal 55 filter (unless other brand/size suggested)

In the coming months I will need to add...
-QUIETEST HOB Protein scimmer possible (within budget)
-Either Replacement LED bulbs, or a replacement light bar all together for Corals
-2 powerheads, totaling roughly 2000-2400 GPH (might go ahead and put these in while I cycle anyway. High GPH for eventual coral addition)
-IO/RO unit for water

Sorry for the novel! If anyone has any suggestions or things I am forgetting or don't really need please let me know! I'll be all over this forum for the next several months

 

[mitch91175]

I'd say if your gonna be serious about it, go ahead and get yourself your own RO/DI unit from the jump. That way you will know that the water you use will be as good as possible (granted you get the right unit). LFS sometimes sell bad water and salt with parameters that may not be what you will want.

If you can do a sump/refugium that also will help by increasing water volume and not be a nitrate factory like those HOB can be. You can always drill the back of the tank and add an overflow to it.

Welcome and good luck.

 

[JonPhillips]

Welcome and good luck!

 

[mike werner]

welcome,my best advice would be take it slow.i've seen lots of nice under 40 gal. tanks with simple hob filters. being diligent with water changes to keep down on the nitrates and phosphates works in most cases.r2r is all about helping out so ask lots of questions when you feel the need.best of luck.