New from oklahoma, seeking guidance.

Bootstrap · Nov 28, 2012

Hello all, im planning on starting a reef aquarium soon. I'm having trouble deciding between a 55/75 gallon setup. I have a 38g planted freshwater currently. This is a set up here locally I'm interested in.
http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/for/3389006775.html

And one for a 75g, although no pictures
http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/bar/3303547455.html

Again, im a complete novice, and a rodi system isn't an option in my residence at this time. So lfs will be my water supply!

Here's a picture of my 38!

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jbb_00 · Nov 28, 2012

Hello and welcome to R2R

If your budget allows go for the 75. The additional 6" depth front to back makes a huge difference when aquascaping. The 55 can be a great beginner tank, but I'm afraid that you will soon regret the lack of real estate . Plus your fish selection will be better with the extra swimming space.

Hope that helps

Bootstrap · Nov 28, 2012

jbb_00 said:
Hello and welcome to R2R

If your budget allows go for the 75. The additional 6" depth front to back makes a huge difference when aquascaping. The 55 can be a great beginner tank, but I'm afraid that you will soon regret the lack of real estate . Plus your fish selection will be better with the extra swimming space.

Hope that helps

Yeah at the moment budget isn't an issue, the largest problem I'm having is trying to understand refugiums, sump, slimmer, etc. Id like to get a set up already together for my first tank, because i am 100% lost lol.

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redfishbluefish · Nov 28, 2012

jbb_00 said:
Hello and welcome to R2R

If your budget allows go for the 75. The additional 6" depth front to back makes a huge difference when aquascaping. The 55 can be a great beginner tank, but I'm afraid that you will soon regret the lack of real estate . Plus your fish selection will be better with the extra swimming space.

Hope that helps

A big +1. The 12 inches on the 55 just isn't enough. Go for the 75.

As far as your other comments about not understanding....read, read and read more. Also ask questions here as well.

Bootstrap · Nov 28, 2012

redfishbluefish said:
A big +1. The 12 inches on the 55 just isn't enough. Go for the 75.

As far as your other comments about not understanding....read, read and read more. Also ask questions here as well.

Awesome, thanks for the response. From what I've read a refugium id a newer idea. And a natural filtration process? As opposed to mechanical filtration and bioballs? I still see a lot of hob filters where people aren't using refugiums. The 55 in my link for instance, uses a hob filter and skimmer, I'm sure it worked, just not sure why a refugium is so much better.

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redfishbluefish · Nov 28, 2012

I can tell you've been reading. My next bit of advise; if the 75 is not reef-ready (overflow installed), buy a glass-holes overflow....and I'd go with the 1500 gph (although you could get away with the 700).

A sump/refugium increases the total volume of water, which is a good thing. I'd go with the biggest sump you could fit under the tank.....a 40 breeder is my favorite. I'd also go with one of the cone skimmers....a bubble magus or SWC....they are very similar and reasonably priced.

Bootstrap · Nov 28, 2012

redfishbluefish said:
I can tell you've been reading. My next bit of advise; if the 75 is not reef-ready (overflow installed), buy a glass-holes overflow....and I'd go with the 1500 gph (although you could get away with the 700).

A sump/refugium increases the total volume of water, which is a good thing. I'd go with the biggest sump you could fit under the tank.....a 40 breeder is my favorite. I'd also go with one of the cone skimmers....a bubble magus or SWC....they are very similar and reasonably priced.

Thanks for the pointer, although i find myself fairly handy with things, cutting a couple holes in my new tank is a scary prospect!

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Bootstrap · Nov 28, 2012

Also, the 75g link in my first post notes a power sump and hob filter, but no protein skimmer, i wonder what the sump was for then? And if the guy was using an hob filter to act as a protein skimmer in filtering out detritus.

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Loki · Nov 28, 2012

Your somewhat local to me in the grand scheme of things. I'll be honest I didn't follow either of the Craigslist links so I'm not up with the tanks you have mentioned. With that said I would not advise to get a 55. They lack the depth to make owners happy long term.

75's are good as well, but when done right it's hard to beat a 40 breeder (for a smaller system)

HOB filters are usually IMO not sufficient in filtering out junk unless you have one way over rated for a tank. It would be best to have a sump with an oversized skimmer and a chamber to house some macro algae. If you have the room for a refugium about 1/2 the size of your tank it would be good. For instance I'm not sure a 5 gallon refugium would do any of good on a 75 gallon tank.

I have a 120 with a 40b as a fuge and another 40b that houses my skimmer and return pump. I know the 40 isn't half but it's as big as I could go. I feel it help a little and really adds to the water volume.

It's late and I tend to ramble. Sorry about that

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Sexy Pat · Nov 28, 2012

Spring for the larger tank if you can. It will delay the next upgrade lol

Bootstrap · Nov 28, 2012

Loki2902 said:
Your somewhat local to me in the grand scheme of things. I'll be honest I didn't follow either of the Craigslist links so I'm not up with the tanks you have mentioned. With that said I would not advise to get a 55. They lack the depth to make owners happy long term.

75's are good as well, but when done right it's hard to beat a 40 breeder (for a smaller system)

HOB filters are usually IMO not sufficient in filtering out junk unless you have one way over rated for a tank. It would be best to have a sump with an oversized skimmer and a chamber to house some macro algae. If you have the room for a refugium about 1/2 the size of your tank it would be good. For instance I'm not sure a 5 gallon refugium would do any of good on a 75 gallon tank.

I have a 120 with a 40b as a fuge and another 40b that houses my skimmer and return pump. I know the 40 isn't half but it's as big as I could go. I feel it help a little and really adds to the water volume.

It's late and I tend to ramble. Sorry about that

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Thanks for the response, i have a 38g i could turn into a refugium if dimensiins permit. Might try to find a pre assembled one too! My freshwater is run on a nice big canister filter, im bummed i have to kick it to the curb

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Loki · Nov 28, 2012

I have a pre made refugium for sale if your interested. It would be a drive to get it though.... Yeah I would skip out on the canister filter. I had one on my 75 gallon and I didn't upkeep as much as I should and I think it did more damage than good. I've heard of them being successful though. I think people clean them weekly which is not my style lol

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Bootstrap · Nov 28, 2012

Loki2902 said:
I have a pre made refugium for sale if your interested. It would be a drive to get it though.... Yeah I would skip out on the canister filter. I had one on my 75 gallon and I didn't upkeep as much as I should and I think it did more damage than good. I've heard of them being successful though. I think people clean them weekly which is not my style lol

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Yeah it seems like a canister is obsolete if you are using a protein skimmer and refugium setup. Unless you took out all the media and used it as a "bulkhead" to move water around

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Loki · Nov 28, 2012

You're reading a lot

very good! a bulkhead is the fitting that goes into a hole in the glass. it lets you connect pipe through the glass without leaking. It doesn't move water itself just provides a channel. Keep asking questions and we will gladly help you get all the info we have in this thread

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Bootstrap · Nov 28, 2012

Loki2902 said:
You're reading a lot very good! a bulkhead is the fitting that goes into a hole in the glass. it lets you connect pipe through the glass without leaking. It doesn't move water itself just provides a channel. Keep asking questions and we will gladly help you get all the info we have in this thread

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Ok, so a bulkhead would be where your overflow was,. Is it a power head that makes the current in a salt tank?

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Loki · Nov 28, 2012

Well... No

Here. Maybe this will clear it up. It's always nice to see. Bulkreefsupply.com is one of our sponsors and they have a video series on how to start a saltwater tank. It would be a good thing to watch. I'm more of a visual learner so it helped me understand some things

This is part 6 about a sump on a tank.
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/video/view/setup-saltwater-tank-series-ep6-adding-sump-and-overflows/

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Bootstrap · Nov 28, 2012

Neat video, looked like they ran a. Skimmer and sump and return in one tank, but had an hob refugium, im assuming doing the refugium with the skimmer, etc is ideal.

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revsgirl · Nov 28, 2012

Hi there!! Welcome to R2R!! :byebye:

Bootstrap · Nov 28, 2012

Got an offer for a 90g! You guys think that the 200lbs difference is negligible?

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Loki · Nov 28, 2012

Oh 90 is better than 75!

if you go 90 just go 120 and if you go 120 just go ahead and get a 180 lol you see where this is going.

I will have to look at the dimensions but I think a 90 is wider (front to back) than a 75 which makes it more ideal for rock work.

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