HELP with starting a saltwater aquarium

[mpjmeyer]

We've had freshwater tanks for awhile. My wife and I recently decided to start a saltwater aquarium. I plan on cutting out a corner wall in our house and mounting it inside to make a corner wall tank. Very new to saltwater so would like as much input as possible. I would like to have a 55 gallon tank but open to suggestions... Other than the tank, I understand I'll also need a light, protein skimmer, saltwater pump, heater, and live rock. Is this correct? Also of all those parts, what brand/model do you suggest?? I'd like to keep my total budget under $1000 if possible . I want the tank to resemble an ocean life scenery.

 

[Mrfresh]

There are a lot of factors on which equipment u may want.

Depending on the type of coral u want to keep determines which light might be best.
Skimmer as well do u want a lot of fish or just a few...

Please remember this is all personal preference.
For a light I would look at a t-5 light probably a 4 bulb if ur not looking at getting to crazy with corals.. (Sps)
I love asm skimmers they are simple and work! And pretty cheap, compared to others

 

[mpjmeyer]

I'd like to have a decent amount of fish, probably 20% coral or so. What type of live rock do you prefer?

 

[fusch13]

There are actual corner tanks....I believe there are a 52 gallon and a 92...I had the 92 gallon myself. It has a half circle front....

 

[mpjmeyer]

I have a corner in my basement I want to cut into the wall and mount the tank inside. Like this...

Anybody else do a home project themselves like this and have pics??

 

[Reefing Madness]

SCA Protein Skimmers

Nitrogen Cycle

Poweheads

Refractometers

Macro Rocks

Bulk Reef Supply Rock and Sand

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/fish-supplies/aquarium-substrate/ps/c/3578/9805

http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Lighting.html

Live Plants

http://successfulreefkeeping.com/learn/what-your-coral-needs/

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=t-5+lighting&_sacat=0

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=cree+led+aquarium&_sacat=0&_odkw=t-5+lighting&_osacat=0

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/fish-supplies/saltwater-aquarium-salt-water-mix/ps/c/3578/4685

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=15473

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=4749

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=4145

[TD="class: xl24"]#1-Dry Rock, there are a few hitchhikers on Live Rock that people want to stay away from, so they opt for using Dry Rock, or Dead Rock. Macro Rock is a good place to start looking for that. Either way you go you will need a minimum of 1lb per gallon. You can use Fully Cured Live Rock, and have the tank cycled in just a few days also. Other way is to use just a couple of pounds of Live Rock and the rest Macro or Dry Rock.[/TD]

[TD="class: xl24"][/TD]

[TD="class: xl26"]#2-Replacement filter media like filter floss and activated carbon (if you get a filter) Which is really not necessary.[/TD]

[TD="class: xl26"][/TD]

[TD="class: xl26"]#3-Multiple Power heads (2 or 3) 10x your water volume for just a Fish Only With Live Rock, and at least 20x your water volume for a Reef Tank. So lets say your going reef, and you have a 100g tank, you would need flow in that tank at minimum of 2000gph, or 2 1000gph power heads.[/TD]

[TD="class: xl26"][/TD]

[TD="class: xl26"]#4-Protein Skimmer, rated at 2 times your water volume. Unless your tank is under 30g, in which case you can do 10% water changes a week to rid the system of detrius. But, you'll have to watch the water parameters close, if things go haywire, you'll have to do more water changes.[/TD]

[TD="class: xl26"][/TD]

[TD="class: xl26"]#5-Saltwater Test Kits. Reef Test Kit. Test for Ammonia, Nitrites, Nitrates, PH, Phosphates, Calcium, ALK and Magnesium.[/TD]

[TD="class: xl26"][/TD]

[TD="class: xl26"]#6-Saltwater fish food. Mysis Shrimp, Squid, Cyclopease, Algae Sheets, Romaine . Flake food is not really a good food to feed your marine fish.[/TD]

[TD="class: xl26"][/TD]

[TD="class: xl26"]#7-Aquarium vacuum. This one is iffy. Most don't use one, if you have enough flow in the tank you won’t need one[/TD]

[TD="class: xl26"][/TD]

[TD="class: xl26"]#8-Rubber kitchen gloves[/TD]

[TD="class: xl26"][/TD]

[TD="class: xl26"]#9-Fish net[/TD]

[TD="class: xl24"][/TD]

[TD="class: xl26"]#10-Two, clean, never used before, 5-gallon buckets[/TD]

[TD="class: xl26"][/TD]

[TD="class: xl26"]#11-Aquarium thermometer, digital being the best.[/TD]

[TD="class: xl26"][/TD]

[TD="class: xl26"]#12-Brush with plastic bristles (old tooth brush) - needed for cleaning the live rock if you don't get Fully Cured Live Rock.[/TD]

[TD="class: xl26"]#13-Power Strip, possibly GFCI outlets by the tank.[/TD]

[TD="class: xl26"]#14-Optional but definitely recommend getting a Reverse Osmosis or RO/Deionization filter for the make-up water, and a barrel for storing the water.[/TD]

[TD="class: xl25"]#15-Possibly a Quarantine Tank for your new fish. They sit in here for a few weeks to kill off parasites and bacteria, to keep it from getting in your main tank[/TD]

[TD="class: xl24"]#16-Heater rated for your size tank.[/TD]

[TD="class: xl26"]#17-Saltwater Mix. Marine Salt. Instant Ocean is the cheap Salt that beginners and Advanced use alike.[/TD]

[TD="class: xl26"]#18-Saltwater Hydrometer or even better a Refractometer, which is more accurate. There is also a Digital Meter that is way advanced if you have the cash.[/TD]

[TD="class: xl26"]#19-Aquarium filter (not absolutely necessary if running with adequate amounts of live rock, but nice to have if you need to use a mechanical filter or activated carbon, or GFO and such)[/TD]

[TD="class: xl26"]#20-Aquarium substrate such as live sand or crushed coral. Some go bare Bottom, others choose the 2-3" bottom, others, more advanced will try the Deep Sand Bed, which is over 6" deep.[/TD]

[TD="class: xl27"] Heaters
[/TD]

[TD="class: xl27"][/TD]

[TD="class: xl28"][/TD]

[TD="class: xl28"][/TD]

[TD="class: xl28"] Live Rock and Live Sand: Live Saltwater Aquarium Rock and Sand [/TD]

[TD="class: xl28"][/TD]

[TD="class: xl28"][/TD]

[TD="class: xl28"][/TD]

[TD="class: xl28"][/TD]

[TD="class: xl28"][/TD]

[TD="class: xl28"][/TD]

 

[Duffam3434]

Thats a good article for starting out! Read that and then if you have more Questions just post them on here and you will get an answer!! Maybe look around on Craigslist for some used stuff like Skimmer and Lights.. Maybe you'll even find Live Rock! When putting in sand I would go with Live Sand.. Someone at a LFS will be able to find it for you.

 

[fusch13]

Do your research..get the equipment you want..maybe expensive in the beginning...but if you cut corners youll pay for it in the end...and patience

 

[Ron Reefman]

You'll have to register with this website (my local club) but the Saltwater Aquarium 101 series is worth reading.
Welcome to SWFMAS

 

[mpjmeyer]

I apologize if I'm asking too many questions but I want to make sure I set this up correctly. What are your opinions, pros & cons of a "sump"?

From what I have been reading, it seems a sump is a separate, much smaller tank you can use to place the skimmer and heater in so you gain extra space in the main viewing tank...is this correct? Do you still use a regular pump in the main tank to keep water circulation?

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

Pros of a sump:
1. Adds extra water volume which can help to keep the water parameters more stable. In our tanks, the answer to pollution is dilution.
2. You can hide ugly equipment that can be an eyesore to the majestic tank you want to keep.
3. You can have a spot for a refugium. A refugium houses macroalgae which is beneficial for nutrient export.

Cons:
1. If not setup properly, there can be issues with floods. However, a flood can happen under pretty much any circumstance when you have a tank full of water.


As a side note, I saw you were thinking of a 55 gallon tank. I would go with a 75, 90 (both are the same length as a 55, but they are wider) or even a 40 breeder. The 55 is very narrow and makes arranging the live rock a pain. Also, it can be tedious trying to get the right layout for flow to prevent dead spots. I have a 55 and regret.

Good luck!

 

[mpjmeyer]

Thanks for the advice. I may go with a wider tank. Now, how does the input and output work on the tank with the sump? Do you run tubes up to the top and down into the tank or are their drilled out holes in the glass?

 

[mpjmeyer]

Can anybody post a pic of the sump setup? Maybe it will give me a much better understanding to see it in action then read about it in a paragraph.

 

[Reefing Madness]

Best to use a Drilled tank, but you can also use an Overflow Box to accomplish the same thing.

Adding a Sump and overflows to our Reef Tank -- Ep:6 How to set up a saltwater aquarium - YouTube
How to Setup an Ultra Quiet Overflow - Bulk Reef Supply

 

[mpjmeyer]

Do tank's come pre-drilled? What would be the best method?

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

You can get a tank pre-drilled. This is also known as reef ready. Some people like to drill the holes themselves. The main thing with doing them yourself is that you have to make sure that your tank is not tempered.

 

[mpjmeyer]

Where is the best place to buy a 75 gallon tank?

 

[Reefing Madness]

Online? I'd go with Glass Cages

 

[vetteguy53081]

Buy good equipment and in turn buy it once. Start with and maintain GOOD water quality AND buy from Trustworthy sources- NOT those that take your money and that's it for service!

 

[McAllyn]

PetSmart has 75 gallon tanks, just under 200. FWIW, look at Craigslist for your area. Many times, you'll find 75 and 90 gallon tanks with sumps and other items thrown in for very inexpensive. (I started with a reef ready 90g off Craigslist that was complete... sump, light, skimmer, tank, stand, heaters, and more for $275) As long as it doesn't leak or have big scratches on the glass, you're good to go.

Drilling a tank is not hard nor dangerous. I've done a couple already, and I'm not particularly handy. I prefer the looks of the drilled tanks, and I'll ALWAYS go with a gravity fed drain versus a siphon based hang on back drain. Check with Glass-holes for drilling kits and instructions.

If your budget is $1000, and you don't want to go used, you'll be running right up to that number, if not going over. Remember, the tank is the CHEAP part. A proper skimmer and proper light are BOTH more expensive than the glass box itself. Reef Octopus skimmer = $200-250, Aquatic Life 4 bulb fixture = $300-350. Those are average new prices on average-to-good gear.

If I could make one recommendation, look deep into what you're going to want in your tank long before you decide on a size. Since you're going with a built-in, you won't want to be replacing it any time soon, and the last thing you want to run into is your "dream fish" only to find out it won't thrive in the tank you decided on. I'm just going to throw it out there, but if you think you want a 55... get a 110.

Mac