New and Starting

[Manuelnvrz]

Ok, so I'm going to be turning my 55gal (long) freshwater tank into a saltwater talk (preferring FOWLR) and I was looking at the cost for EVERYTHING and if I should go canister or refrigium, but I don't know much about sumps.


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[FragBuddy]

Liverock is going to cost the most since you dont really need a hitech light for a fowlr. I would go with a canister if you're just doing big fish such as tang and angels. I would encourage you to get a refugium if you're planning on getting small fish who need copepods to live such as a mandarin goby. I like refugiums they are like a smaller tank that you can aquascape if its big enough.

 

[Manuelnvrz]

Yeah I would like to have smaller fish and I do like the refrigium idea a lot. I wanted to do coral when I had everything going for a year or 2 would that be possible?


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[mike007]

If you plan on coral do not buy a canister filter. Get a good skimmer either a hang on or if you go with sump you can put on in there. I like to keep things simple so i only use a skimmer and good live rock. My tank has been doing great now for over ten years . There are lots of products out there they want you to buy but you don't need all of them. Keep it simple my friend and don't overfeed and have fun.

 

[Manuelnvrz]

Would it be better to use my 55gal or try and start new with a bigger tank, I do want to show off the colors, the fish, and eventually the coral


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[mike007]

Bigger is always better. But you can start off small and work your way up. This way you can learn how to keep a reef tank and when you upgrade you will be more educated and will have better success. My suggestion to anyone starting out is to be patient and go slow. You are creating a ecosystem and it takes time. Many people want to rush things and thats where you can get into trouble. Watch your water parameters and add livestock slowly so your tank can acclimate. Most inportant thing is to enjoy and read these posts on this site and learn from them.

 

[Manuelnvrz]

I understand it takes time, not trying to rush anything, I just want to make sure I have everything before I start or take my time to get it started


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[FragBuddy]

Yeah that's the key to start slow and make sure maintenance is routine and try to enjoy it so it doesn't feel like a chore. You can put corals in after the cycle since they don't add to your bioload as long as the parameters are ok.

 

[marvelousone]

refugium would be better if you are going to coral. Also you can hide everything( heater,skimmer etc.)

 

[Manuelnvrz]

I do like the small ecosystem in the refrigium too. Should I buy a tank ready kit or buy in pieces?


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[FragBuddy]

If you know how to make a sump then it would be a cheaper alternative but you can also buy ready made ones. I made my own..it has crooked baffles but as long as it works it won't matter.

 

[FragBuddy]

You can make your own as long as you know how to, which is cheaper. You can also buy ready made ones which makes it easier. I made my own with crooked baffles but it works so I dont mind.

 

[FragBuddy]

whoops thought it didnt send

 

[Manuelnvrz]

Is it hard to make them?


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[FragBuddy]

Pretty easy. You can find tutorials and blueprints online.

 

[tearlessnikon]

I made my own sump off was easy had some glass cut at the hardware store they used scrap glass so I didn't have to pay then bought some silicone it was the first time I made one very easy its not pretty but its in my stand and you can't see it

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[justgotwet]

You can also watch video on you tube on how to make a sump.

 

[Manuelnvrz]

What do you guys think of buying a complete set up tank off of Craigslist?


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[islander84]

For different sump/refugium ideas and designs go to melevsreef.com. i used a regular glass fish tank and went to a local glass shop and had them cut 1/4 inch glass panels for me. Then used a 100% clear silicone to install them. For my over under over baffles between skimmer chamber and return chamber i took a tape measure and level and a sharpie and drew lines for reference. Then i took the first baffle and siliconed it in place with bottom edge of glass sitting on the bottom of tank let it set up for hour or two, then took a piece of 2x4 and layed it on bottom of tank and made 2 thick beads of silicone down the reference lines and pushed the glass panel into silicone, then siliconed the open side. I used a piece of tubing to reach down between the baffles to smooth out silicone on back side of panel..... let that one setup for several hours to ensure when i removed 2x4 that the panel wouldnt sag or drop, then installed last panel same way only with bottom edge sitting on bottom of tank......

 

[Manuelnvrz]

I was thinking about getting the Tom rapids pro series rp3 plus for my tank, is that everything id need for filtration? I've read mixed reviews!


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