New tank. Very minimalist need help / tips.

[sheriffd]

I'm trying to start a very basic tank gonna start out just fowlr, and once I upgrade the tank get some corals as well. I am crafting a diy protein skimmer using a powerhead and an airstone. Anyone have any experiences with this? What kind of problems did you experience?
Specs so far
55 gal tank
1 HOB filter ** I forget model.
3 small powerheads.
Walmart Heater
Coralife t5 light.
1 diy skimmer I have yet to really be able to test due to still being in cycle stage.
40 lbs lr With an additional 10 lbs of non volcanic lava rock.
Deep sand bed.

I don't expect to end up keeping any ridiculously hard to keep corals or anything mostly just a couple fish and I'd really like a clownfish / bubble anemone host I think that's one of the coolest symbiotic relationships on earth. And a huge reason for my attempt at this tank.

 

[Hemlawk]

Good luck man. I'm a rookie but it seems like as long as you do water changes, everything will be fine.

 

[sheriffd]

That's basically what everyone who has the same plan as me lives by. Weekly to bi-weekly 10% water changes and you could have a reef in a 5 gallon bucket

 

[Vahanyos]

A water change is the best thing you can do for your tank. Keep it up weekly and your levels will always be good. Once your tank is cycled, just give it time to mature and you will have a thriving tank in no time. keep your water level stable with an ATO at all times. Stability is the key in being successful....

I run a very minimal tank, no additives, etc... its a 55 gallon and im already getting good corraline grown and all sorts of live in there... Your live rock and sand will give you all the filtration you need. You may want to just run some carbon and filter floss but that's all you need!! After a few months you'll notice your tank just looks so much better, and it's all thanks to nature!

 

[Vahanyos]

Forgot to mention, make sure you are topping off ONLY with RO/DI water and your water changes consist of good grade salt and mixed with ONLY RO/DI water...

 

[sheriffd]

Forgot to mention, make sure you are topping off ONLY with RO/DI water and your water changes consist of good grade salt and mixed with ONLY RO/DI water...

Thanks for the tips! I made the mistake of starting off with tap water but I do plan on buying a large storage tank for ro/di and an ato. As for added filtration I'm thinking of converting an old aquatech hob into a hardcore biological filter with floss at the bottom a couple layers of bioballs topped with some ceramics.