Newbie help

[Mkdw]

Greetings everyone! I am really impressed with the amount of information available within this forum. I have been a long time freshwater guy and finally convinced myself to ste- up my game and go marine. I recently retired from active military service and finally have the time for hobbies. So far at this point I have acquired a tank, stand, lid, and what appears to be a sump (Craigslist for 100$). I have included some photos to put my request for assistance in context.

What I'm asking for is, what did I get myself into with this tank, what am I missing, how does it all go together?

Looking forward to getting to talk with you all soon!

 

[Diesel]

First off thanks for your service Bro.

Yes this site has a ocean of info, you can experience that now first hand with your build.
Make sure though you start a build thread of your tank.

Great setup and good starter tank especially for 1 franklin.

 

[jsker]

Welcome to R2R, and thank you for your service.

Toss the bio balls
Things you will need and this is just the basics
return pump, DC
heater
lights
skimmer
power heads/pump
Plumbing.

 

[Douglas Wattier]

hop on youtube and check out BRS160 52 weeks of reefing... I'm only a couple months into my tank and I'm stilling learning new things every day. Don't buy cheap, you'll just end up replacing it when it breaks or more than likely when you find out you don't like how its performing.

 

[Mkdw]

Thanks for the replies. It's nice to know that there are people eager to share their knowledge. Looking at some skimmers they seem a bit too large for the sump that I acquired, is it possible to use an external type because of size restrictions?

 

[Flippers4pups]

Welcome to Reef2reef! Thank you for your service! Army vet here.

The sump you have was at one time meant for a "wet dry" setup. Those are no long used in the hobby. The sump can still be used, just without those bio balls. A skimmer my fit in the second chamber and that's where I would put one. Measure that chamber.

Your tank, is it a 75 or 90 gallon? Looks like a 75.

This skimmer may work in that area:

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef...MIg9rVjaj21QIVjzqBCh32DAreEAQYASABEgJ_wPD_BwE

 

[dbl]

Welcome to R2R and more importantly thank you for your service. Also welcome to the salty side. Take a look at the thread below for more information.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

 

[Flippers4pups]

Welcome to R2R and more importantly thank you for your service. Also welcome to the salty side. Take a look at the thread below for more information.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

Excellent information there^.

 

[bellasdad0911]

Looks like a good start. The tank is worth it for sure. The sump as other have said the middle chamber is useless. I would run a skimmer like a aquamaxx cones 1 or 2 which ever will fit , depending on your goals maybe the sump should be a donation to someone and get a new one. Filtration is soooooo important.