First tank, NEED HELP!!

PackMan · Oct 15, 2012

So I've had lots of freshwater tanks over the years and always wanted a saltwater tank, so when I got the chance to inherit this setup I jumped on it. An aquantance was moving and couldn't take it with her. I intended to do lots of research before setting up my first tank, but like I said I just fell into this. The previous owner has had it up and running, so I can only assume it has everything needed to sustain.

It is a 55 gallon tank with lots of live rock and about 3/4" sand at the bottom. There are 2 snails, a chocolate chip starfish, a clownfish, and 2 other fish.

I'm having trouble setting up all the equipment though, here is what I have:
A marineland C-360, I'm assuming this is a filter, it has 2 large hoses about 1" diameter that go up the back of the tank and hook over the top.
another large rectangular filter thing that sits inside the tank, says label says ALL-FLO model AF-0908 (maybe the protein skimmer?)
A small Maxi Jet 1200 filter that suctions to the side of the tank.
Lights on the tank are currently not working...

I really want to keep this tank alive, any help will be greatly appreciated.

Jake1 · Oct 15, 2012

Can you take some pics of what your talking about

huuta · Oct 15, 2012

sound like you have a canister filter and 2 powerheads.Picture would be better

Scoobie245 · Oct 19, 2012

Is the tank reef ready?

Norcalreefer · Oct 20, 2012

I'm guessing the box is an overflow box that the canister filter would draw out of. I've run a canister filter on a salt water tank. People are going to tell you not to do it, but you can make it work if you decide you really want to. Personally I would not do it again because of the maintenance. I think you had a good idea in the first place to do a lot of research before moving forward too much. I've got a ton of extra junk lying around because I did not do that. There is a big different between a fish only with live rock (FOWLR) and a reef tank. What you have now most likely will not keep your water clean enough for coral with out a lot of maintenance and you have not mentioned a light yet. I suggest learning what you to keep the fish a live and move slow from there. I'd plan on junking everything, but the PH, tank, rock, and fish (if you like the fish). Just because you got some stuff now does not mean you have to change your original plan of doing lots of research. You just can narrow your research to research for a 55gal now.