First timer

helms20 · Oct 18, 2017

Hey everyone! My name is Randy and I have started planning out my first aquarium. My dad always tried to have an aquarium, but for some reason or another he either gave up or wanted something different. I live in southeast TN with my wife, and we have three daughters. I wanted to get into this aquarium for one main reason.

My dad passed away a little over 2 years ago and my brother took over his tank. I found out recently that he wasn't putting it to use, so I decided to take it and do a tribute tank to my dad. I have always liked the "idea" of a tank, but now that circumstances are different my resolve is much higher to have this succeed.

Right now I am in the researching phase and planning. I have not even started buying equipment yet. All I have is the tank, stand, an old T5 light, and a drive to do it right.

Anyways that is a little about me. Nice to "meet" you all, and I look forward to future discussions.

MSB123 · Oct 18, 2017

Welcome to R2R!

MSB123 · Oct 18, 2017

What size is your tank? in gallons or dimensions. And do you have a sump or refugium? The first thing I would buy would be powerheads, and a skimmer and return pump. I would also try to find local reefers in your area and try to find used filter media and cycled rock. There are some key decisions you will want to make. Fish only? Reef? Barebottom? Sand? Predator tank? Seahorse?

MSB123 · Oct 18, 2017

This will be a fun and exciting experience and I wish you luck! I hope you get all the info you need!

Shadowbass · Oct 18, 2017

already in the right direction with the t5s!

kschweer · Oct 18, 2017

Welcome!!!

jsker · Oct 18, 2017

Welcome to R2R Randy. Great way to setup a saltwater system and make it a good memory. You come to the right place to get your questions answered.

Crabs McJones · Oct 18, 2017

Welcome to R2R!

welcome12_af875eaa887ed91c39e4c81c7d4fd966-0ed06ab93ea565647147c6beddbca4eb.gif

Sorry to hear about your dad passing on, but I think the idea of getting his tank up and running in his honor is an awesome thing to do!
This is a great community with lots of friendly people with centuries of knowledge.

nautical_nathaniel · Oct 18, 2017

Welcome to R2R! You're in a great place to learn about how to be successful with a saltwater aquarium!

Lovemyreef2015 · Oct 18, 2017

Welcome to R2R

DLHDesign · Oct 18, 2017

Welcome to R2R - you've found the right spot to help you on your way to such a meaningful (and hopefully enjoyable) experience!

You're welcome to poke around and find answers, of course, but don't hesitate to ask away as well. Even if the question has been asked many times (and odds are it has), we're all always happy to answer it again. Most questions don't have a right/wrong anyways, so it's good to see the current opinions that come up.

Anyways; welcome aboard and happy reefing!

(Note that you can start a "build thread" at any point; you don't have to have the tank up and running.)

Salty1962 · Oct 18, 2017

Welcome to R2R!

dbl · Oct 18, 2017

Welcome to R2R and what a great thing you're doing for pops. I'd like to suggest reading through the thread below as part of your research.

http://reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

KJ · Oct 18, 2017

Welcome to R2R!!!

helms20 · Oct 19, 2017

MSB123 said:
What size is your tank? in gallons or dimensions. And do you have a sump or refugium? The first thing I would buy would be powerheads, and a skimmer and return pump. I would also try to find local reefers in your area and try to find used filter media and cycled rock. There are some key decisions you will want to make. Fish only? Reef? Barebottom? Sand? Predator tank? Seahorse?

So I don't have it with me because I am at work, but I have been researching like crazy. I started taking notes in a notebook, I am in IT but sometimes you just need to do it "old school" (no offense meant to anyone). Anyways I don't have it here with me, but I have listed out what is in my head right now.

I am going to use dry rock and cycle the tank because I want the experience. Also since I am not normally a patient type of person this is a growing point for me as well. I have a 45 gallon tank with dims of 24L x 18W x 24H. I plan on purchasing another aquarium for my sump, right now somewhere between 20-30 gallons, and set the baffles myself. Again this is for the experience and to save a few bucks where I can, since I need to purchase all of the equipment.

Things that must be done (This is all before I even start setting up the tank)

Build a new stand. The main reason is my wife doesn't like the one that came with the tank, but also it is made of MDF so no place for a sump in it. I was going to pipe out to a remote sump, but going to build the stand for an underneath sump. Also have to build a canopy for the top, because I don't like the one that came with the tank.
Build the sump.
Drill this tank for an external overflow. I am not extremely handy, but I am comfortable doing tasks like this, I think.
Make a fish list
I have designed the sump in my head as an initial chamber that will overflow into sock filters. Then go under a baffle to the skimmer section. Next could be a refugium, but I am researching that now to determine what that means I am getting into. From what I have read it is definitely recommended. I need to determine what will go in the fuge. I think I will use Cheato, but what about rock and/or sand? From there it will run through a 3 baffle bubble trap (under-over-under) and finally into a return section.
Build my DIY ATO. This looks interesting and I want to try it, so if I waste $15 on it so be it. I could always buy an ATO.
Purchase and mount a RO/DI unit and plumb it as needed. I was thinking I would get a BRS unit, with the 150GPD option. More because I want to waste less water. All of my discharge will be in the same line as my furnace/AC unit line, so want to limit that as much as possible. This will be tapped into my main water line, in the house (Still not sure if this is a good idea, but only source of water that I have here). Also pick up a container for the ATO line to refill from.
Get my wife involved and have her buy into the idea. This way it will be easier to have her helping maintenance it while I am out of town on business trips.

Tank Ideas

50lbs of dry pukani rock for the DT. Any additional would go into the fuge (if that is the right idea). I am still uncertain about the fuge as I just started researching it.
40lbs of live sand
JBJ oceanstream duo circulation powerhead + wavemaker kit 1600gph https://www.marinedepot.com/JBJ_Oce...Powerheads-JBJ_Lighting-JB6331-FIPHFF-vi.html
Existing T5 lighting for now. Would love to do LED, but trying to reduce my initial capex.
Looking for a small - medium bioload with some fish and a few soft corals. Don't think I want to tackle SPS just yet, but if possible in the future would like to.

I know there are more, but it is early here. I will get a build post going soon so that I can keep track of it. However let me know where you guys see issues in this plan, and any recommendations would be great. If those need to be in a build log I will copy this over and start one based off of this post.