Newbie

Pixburgh · Apr 7, 2014

Happy Monday everyone!

I've kept freshwater tanks & ponds for 6-7 years and have finally mustered up some courage to look into saltwater. Let me first mention that all i've been doing is research so far. Haven't set up a tank or anything at this point. I'm more interested in learning how to keep my rookie mistakes at a minimum although undoubtedly there will be some for sure. I'm open to any and all tips or suggestions you guys can give me as I begin this journey!

Also, I've been reading a ton obviously and trying to sort through the internet garbage vs actual facts and the sump baffles me. I don't understand how to set one up, what it does (other than provide some filtration?), what I need in it... all of that. I read the sticky thread on setting them up but still can't wrap my head around how to even begin to create one. Any help on this is also very much appreciated.

Thanks for taking the time to read!

Mr tap water · Apr 7, 2014

Hi there and welcome
It sounds like you're doing the right thing at the moment read as much as you can when you decide to take the plunge try to keep it simple in the beginning and then build on it from there good luck

Dalmatia · Apr 7, 2014

Sump=big filter, as much water goes in should go back to main tank! With little tricks for not overflowing ask a pro to help with installation or you will risk a flood.

salttanklife · Apr 7, 2014

The sump is a good place to hide your equipment, set up a refugium, it adds more water volume to your system to keep the tank a little more stable. The different chambers all depends on what you're planning to do with it really. One thing I plan on doing in mine shortly is a algae scrubber, I'm still a newbie myself and just ran across the algae scrubber idea and it seems like a pretty good idea.

ethridge78 · Apr 7, 2014

welcome

gemini9 · Apr 7, 2014

Hi and Welcome! I"m a newb too. I'm in the process of setting up a small 30 gallon tank. I've been working on it ever so patiently for a month now. Probably the best thing you can do is to take your time. That's what they tell me lol. Me, I don't even have a sump. I have a regular HOB filter (hang on back) and a 500gph powerhead to circulate the water. Like you, setting up a whole sump system was a bit over my head so I'm keeping mine simple. May not be such a bad idea for you, too. Just set up something simple and get some hardy fish like clowns, and go from there. After you get some experience with disease, live rock pests, reading those funky test strips and identifying strange things, go for something a little more complex. When you get your tank set up, take a sample of your water to the local fish store and they will test it for you and offer advice on what you need to do. I took a sample of mine and they told me my ph was too low... and I had no idea!

oh, the discmaimer:
I am a newb and probably don't know what I'm talking about. Don't pay any attention to me because my advice probably sucks.

vlangel · Apr 7, 2014

Hi Pixburgh, welcome! You can have a very successful reef without a sump by just doing consistent weekly water changes. If you do 4g a week and don't overstock or overfeed you'll be just fine. Then down the road you can add a hang on the back overflow fairly cheaply and add a sump if you want. That's what I did and it works great if you take a few precautions. Anyway, sounds like you are starting out right by researching.