Setting up a tank

[Tylerc33]

Hey guys so I’m new to this and I think I purchased everything but lights,wave maker, and sand/live rock to get it going

Tank
Stand
Sump
Skimmer
Top off water Level controller
Heater 250 w
Aqua lifter
Rodi Filter 75gpd
Salt
Bucket to mix the water prior to putting into tank

Is there anything else I am missing? Also is there somewhere I can look on how to set the sump up? My tank is not drilled it’s a 75 Gallon tank. I’m looking at the aqua mars led lights to purchase. Any thing you can add is appreciated. Thank you

 

[reef lover]

#Welcometor2r !!
Probably need some testing equipment .

 

[Tylerc33]

I was looking at the Hannah checkers. Anyone in particular you recommend?

 

[Firemanreefkeeper]

Are you planning to drill the tank? Make sure it isn't tempered if you are. Test kits and refractometer.

 

[Tylerc33]

No I was not planning on drilling it

 

[Firemanreefkeeper]

Check out some build threads or the DIY threads for sump builds. There are a lot of cool ideas and good directions in there.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Looks like you joined today so I wanted to say Welcome to the group.

There are a lot of build threads you can search for set ups. Looks like you are off to a good star.

Maybe also start a build thread to show your progress and pix if that interests you.

 

[RJinPV]

I was looking at the Hannah checkers. Anyone in particular you recommend?

Hanna Ultra Low Range Phosphate if it is a reef tank and not fish only. Don't get the Hanna normal range phosphate tester. For calcium, KH and mg I use Red Sea but others are good. The Hanna calcium has some bad reviews on Bulk Reef Supplies' website. Their KH tester had good reviews

 

[Tylerc33]

Yeah I plan on doing fish and reef

 

[JerseyClowns]

Hey guys so I’m new to this and I think I purchased everything but lights,wave maker, and sand/live rock to get it going

Tank
Stand
Sump
Skimmer
Top off water Level controller
Heater 250 w
Aqua lifter
Rodi Filter 75gpd
Salt
Bucket to mix the water prior to putting into tank

Is there anything else I am missing? Also is there somewhere I can look on how to set the sump up? My tank is not drilled it’s a 75 Gallon tank. I’m looking at the aqua mars led lights to purchase. Any thing you can add is appreciated. Thank you

If you're going to go the sump route, I highly recommend having your 75 drilled. The convenience of this will pay dividends throughout the lifetime of the tank.

I would also propose backup systems. For example, rather than one 250W heater, use two 150W heaters. If one fails, you'll have the other until you can replace the defective.

 

[SynGraves]

If mixing your own saltwater, a second low flow power head or pump and small heater help with the mixing process. Salinity can change with water temp so being able to have your mixing container close to you tanks temp helps out.

As for wave maker, I prefer having multiple powerheads over one high flow one. It helps to create good random currents and prevents dead spots.

 

[Biokabe]

If you're going to go the sump route, I highly recommend having your 75 drilled. The convenience of this will pay dividends throughout the lifetime of the tank.

I would also propose backup systems. For example, rather than one 250W heater, use two 150W heaters. If one fails, you'll have the other until you can replace the defective.

I can't stress this one enough, especially if you're ever away from your tank for more than a day. I had a heater break on me when I went on vacation one year - it got stuck in the ON position. By the time I got home, tank was at 98 degrees and almost everything died.

 

[NanoJimmy]

Yeah I had a heater get stuck in the on the position as well. It turned my tank into a hot tube and killed all my coral, one of them being my first coral ever. Very devastating so I would recommend doing a good bit of research on what heater you want to use. It was a cobalt neotherm heater but it was probably due to it being almost two years old. I probably should have replaced it sooner.

 

[Tylerc33]

Okay yeah I will definitely look into two heaters. I got the titanium one which I was told is the better one to get. Also I did get another heater and wave maker for my mixing bucket as well forgot to put that on there