New here... use what I have or start from scratch?

reefcruiser · Mar 25, 2013

Hi all,

I am looking into starting a saltwater reef tank. I have a 55 gallon aquarium that was used for freshwater about 20 years ago. Unfortunately it has a metal frame stand... I'd rather have an enclosed base so all the filtration stuff/etc isn't visible, plus have a place for storage.

I was going to do a freshwater setup and already bought some gravel and a Rena canister filter... apparently not the best choice for a saltwater setup.

The hood that I have uses two old-style fluorescent bulbs... not the T-5 bulbs. So I'd be looking at getting a new hood/lighting system too. I don't have any real history on the old tank's inhabitants/medications... my sister had the tank a long time ago and doesn't remember what she did with regards to that.

From my research it looks like I need a different filter, a protein skimmer, some live rock, live sand, etc. to get it started. I am in no rush to put fish or other creatures in it, but I realize that the sooner I get this project off the ground the sooner I can do so.

Considering what I have, is it worthwhile for me to add what I need to my 55 gallon tank, or would I be better off getting a package deal somewhere that includes what I'll need to do it right? I don't need top of the line stuff, but I would rather buy whatever does a good job over trying to make something work that isn't meant for the purpose.

Also, is it possible to take a 2 week vacation each year if you own a tank? I'd get an automatic feeder for those times, but I'm more concerned with possible water quality fluctuations in an established tank. No one in my family is familiar with them, and I'd want a minimal maintenance for the week or two I'd be gone. But if it's likely that I'll come home to hundreds of dollars worth of dead critters because of a vacation, maybe having a tank isn't right for me?

Thanks!

cdness · Mar 25, 2013

Well first off let me say Welcome to Reef2Reef! Post often and let's see some pics as you build your tank...

Now onto the tough decisions...

Freshwater gravel is not good for saltwater so it needs to go. The canister filter can be used, but it will be highly not recommended... With that said, a 55 gallon tank is probably temperes so you would be unable to drill it. Also the dimensions of a 55G tank are very difficult to aquascape. The hood and lights you already know will not work for saltwater. You are correct that it looks better when the filtration is enclosed... Also without knowing what meds were used, if any, I would hesitate on the tank altogether...

With that said, you are still at a point where you can make a direction change. My personal recommendation would be to get a cheap 75G tank and drill it for an overflow. DIY a stand to match your home decor and DIY a sump that will fit in the stand. Ditch the canister filter for a protein skimmer (do your research here and not buy a seaclone) as the skimmer will be a better method of filtration for the saltwater tank. Troll the used dry goods forum and you will find great deals on a used skimmer and used lighting fixtures. This is honestly one of the easiest ways to get into the hobby.

Remember you have a nice freshwater setup that will sell quickly on C-list so you are not out a ton of money...

Now on to the subject of vacations... Saltwater tanks can be highly automated. However every part of automation requires equipment and potentially a controller. My personal suggestion would be to do some searching for other reefers local to you who could stop over and check on the tank daily or every other day to make sure all is well. Most will do this without issue as long as you would do the same for them. They may even be able to help you get started and help with the setup. Local reef clubs are awesome! I don't think I would trust my own tank to go two weeks with no intervention. Even if I was able to get a large enough top off container, there is always the chance of something odd happening while you are away that a person could catch and fix before it turns into a larger issue...

revhtree · Mar 25, 2013

Hello and welcome to R2R!

We appreciate your membership!

Thanks for joining and please make sure and post often!

Rikerbear · Mar 25, 2013

Before giving you specific advise let me ask you what you hope to keep in your tank.
Fish? Corals? and if corals, what type of corals? Some corals need better lighting than others so deciding on that first will help you decide what lghting fixture to spend your money on.
Freshwater gravel will not work, and your canister filter will only cause you trouble down the line so ditch it now :smile:
Not knowing what was used in the tank before as far as medications and such makes me a bit afraid. If you can at all afford it I would suggest a new tank as well.
Welcome to your newest addiction!!!

reefcruiser · Mar 25, 2013

Thanks... I can afford to do it right, the tank was free and the only things I bought are the filter and the gravel. Both are still NIB so I can recoup most of my cost, I believe.

We'd like to do some colorful fish... clowns, tangs, butterflies, etc. I would like to eventually add corals, not quite sure of what kind. I see that LPS are easier, I'm not picky as of now. Who knows if that will change though... I'm thinking (guessing) that I need to get the sand and live rock, let it stabilize for a long while, add some fish and then much later down the road add a little coral, maybe some anenomes (if I'm feeling brave), etc.

I realize this is all a process rather than an assembly process, so I don't want to rush anything. If I can choose a fork in the road that will allow me more latitude in which direction I can go later, without adding a ton of cost (for something I may choose not to do), I'm all for it.

Rikerbear · Mar 25, 2013

Well I would than look to lighting that will alow you to keep any and all coral types you 'may' want to add down the line. My personal preference is for LED lighting, as it runs cooler, and LOTS cheaper on electricity than soem of the others (metal halide for sure)
If you haven't already, than start here.
Reef 2 Reef - How to Setup a Saltwater Aquarium
It's a good read with LOTS of info

Myself I like soft corals (leathers, colts, zoas, palys, mushrooms) and a few of the LPS, and of course fish, all of which need less lighting than the SPS variety

reefcruiser · Mar 25, 2013

Would something like this be a good starting point? Not sure what else I would need for sure. $299 OBO.

75g all-glass aquarium
Ice Cap 660 ballast
4 VHO BULBS (will include some new never used bulbs)
Red Sea prism pro protein skimmer
Custom oak stand
Custom oak canopy
Carib sea substrate

"The pictures of tank show the tinted rear panel of tank because that's how it got moved."

cdness · Mar 25, 2013

Not bad at all! You can even convert the vho setup to t-5 ho by replacing just the endcaps and reflectors. Looks nice! Is it reef ready? If not all you need to add is a sump and overflow (before filling it up).

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*SENSI* · Mar 25, 2013

would it be safe 2 use a 20 year old tank??

reefcruiser · Mar 25, 2013

Well that tank setup went fast... gone in under a half hour after I found it.

Is the saltwater setup a lot harder to run than freshwater? I've seen some horror stories about how expensive it is to set up and maintain, and how touchy it is. At the same time, it seems like there are those who say that saltwater... IF SETUP PROPERLY... is actually easier than a planted FW tank to maintain once you get it figured out. I am thinking now maybe I should start out with a FOWLR setup for an indefinite time period but stock it with species that will be conducive to adding some reef critters later on...

I think the saltwater fish are so much more colorful and interesting, that... even if it's a little more work... it will keep me interested more-so than the relatively colorless, boring freshwater fish.

SeahorseKeeper · Mar 25, 2013

I don't think saltwater is necessarily harder than freshwater. I think there is a little more work involved at times since you have to mix the saltwater and maintain more equipment. I find saltwater tanks much more rewarding than freshwater.