Hey reefers

Reefdiver77 · Apr 19, 2013

Hi and thanks for having me!
Being new to marine is starting to worry me after trying to digest so much info from many websites I have decided to turn to you guys in order to move forward. I will be buying a tank around 180 gallons with a 60 gallon sump with a weir and combs and all pipe work pre drilled and fitted I am fortunate to have the apace for this large tank. Now at this point I am not sure what to buy first and how to calculate what equipment I need and the quantities of rock sand livestock etc. I appreciate this will be a large setup and probably quite costly but I would like to do it properly as a hobby not just something pretty to look at. I will have to spread the cost and build slowly to ensure it is done correctly. I must add that I have kept freshwater fish on and off for many years on a not too serious basis.
Where do I start? Please help.

ritter6788 · Apr 19, 2013

Welcome to R2R!

I would start collecting live rock for your tank. Either dry rock or already cured or cultured live rock depending on what you want. Dry is free of pests and cheaper but some people prefer the life that comes with live rock from an existing tank or the ocean.

You're also going to want to invest in a good skimmer.

mike007 · Apr 19, 2013

I would have to agree. If your lfs has good live rock thats what i recommend. I like to have a deep sandbed myself. Good skimmer a must, maybe led lighting,and ecotech mp40's for circulation. Go slow and be patient.

revhtree · Apr 19, 2013

Hello and welcome to R2R!

We appreciate your membership!

Thanks for joining and please make sure and post often!

Reefdiver77 · Apr 20, 2013

Thanks ritter6788 how much rock would you recommend and any particular skimmer you have in mind?

Reefdiver77 · Apr 20, 2013

thanks mike007 what sand and how deep would you suggest?

mike007 · Apr 20, 2013

I prefer aragonite and mine is about 5 inches deep.

3Twinklets · Apr 20, 2013

Hello! Welcome to Reef2Reef!!

Reefdiver77 · Apr 20, 2013

Thanks 3Twinklets!

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cmaxwell39 · Apr 20, 2013

Welcome. You are already ahead of the game because you are researching the proper way to set up a marine aquarium instead of just diving in without a plan or knowledge of how stuff works. Keep it up and you will do well in this hobby

As far as equipment and setup, it really depends on what you would like to keep in the tank. For example, if you just want to keep fish, you can get by with just about any light. If you want to keep corals, then what type of lighting you run, and how much of it becomes much more important since corals derive much of their energy from symbiotic algae that lives within their tissue.

There are many other areas that your goals for the tank will dictate how you set everything up as well. If you don't know what you want for the tank a good way to begin figuring that out is to browse through the many tank build threads. Especially those that are in the same size range as what you want to set up, and just see what different ideas are out there.

Good luck with the new setup. This hobby is very rewarding when done well.

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gms · Apr 20, 2013

Welcome can't wait to see that setup when its done I'd start of rock or sand cause that big a tank it be awhile before live stock can be added

spspirate · Apr 20, 2013

Welcome to REEF2REEF!!

Reefdiver77 · Apr 21, 2013

Thanks cmaxwell39 little by little I will get there!

If I intend to build a full reef which is better dry, live or mixture of rock?

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cmaxwell39 · Apr 21, 2013

There are advantages to each.

Dry rock will take longer to cycle an aquarium because it does not contain any populations of beneficial bacteria. It also will be stark white for a while and has a very sterile look to it at first, but it colors up just fine in time. With dry rock you do not risk bringing in any unwanted hitch hikers (pests) and it is much cheaper.

You can say it is just about the opposite for live rock. It already has populations of beneficial bacteria and possibly even small patches of coralline to help jump start the cycle and color of your new tank, but it is more expensive and you can potentially get hitchhiker a some of which are very cool, and some of which can become real pests.

I have set up tanks both ways. My last tank (same footprint as your 180 just not as tall) was started using all dry rock and sand. A lot of people will use mostly dry rock and just a small price or yep of live rock to help kick start the cycle.

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