Setting Up SW Tank

[nomar5050]

Hey guys,

New to the salt water hobby and looking for some help on getting my first tank set up.

I just transferred my 35G FW Cichlid tank over to a 55G tank and now am set on converting the old tank over to a SW Reef Tank.

I've already ordered a external canister filter rated for a 50G tank and a protein skimmer.

I'm trying to create the new tank on a pretty small budget, so I had a few questions regarding priority of the funds.

First, I know most people use sump tank for salt water, however after a brief conversation at the LFS he said that a sump wasn't entirely necessary, it would just make maintence a little easier and hide some of the filtration. Is this true? Can I add a sump later on once the tank is established?

Also, he told me that I NEEDED a Reverse Osmosis kit for the water for the tank. Another thing that I was not aware of. Some articles I've read do not mention a Reverse Osmosis kit at all. For the FW tank, I already use a tap water conditioner. Would that suffice (obviously along with adding the necessary salt content)?

I'm sure I will have more questions as I get closer to actually setting up the tank, but as far as equipment goes, that is what I have for you guys so far

Thanks!

Joe

 

[Brian Kim]

Hi joe, welcome to SW land.
What your lfs recommended is correct. You will need RO/DI water for your new system.
A sump is not mandatory but as they've mentioned, will help add volume to your system and help hide all the equipment you don't want showing in your main DT, so they were right again.
I would suggest going with a HOB filter instead of the canister ones and invest on a decent protein skimmer until you decide on a sump/refugium down the road
Best of luck and I am confident you will love the change

 

[StoneFlyTyer]

You can add sump later on but it is easier to start with everything at the start, also it is nice to have a ro filter but some Lfs sell ro water for like $.50 a gallon. But again it's easier to have your own cause if it's a holiday or something and your Lfs is not open and u need water well ur stuck so makes life easier

 

[nomar5050]

Thank you!

Why the suggestion of the HOB rather than canister?

 

[Salty1962]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[Brian Kim]

Thank you!

Why the suggestion of the HOB rather than canister?

I suggested HOB filter since you have mentioned you are working on a small budget, also for SW set up, I would suggest going with sand bed and live rock as primary source of filtration.
Canister filters if maintained correctly can be an exceptionally powerful form of filtration but they are known to produce a lot of nitrate.

 

[rayn]

Any mechanical filter can be a nitrate factory if not maintained. Canister is fine if maintained properly and cleaned frequently.

Everything else seems right on. You could get by with distilled water, but no guarentee. You can buy water from some lfs, but no guarentee they are keeping their water quality up either. Best is to find a ro/di new or used. Well worth the investment.

 

[nomar5050]

Thank you both. After doing some more research yesterday, I started to understand the difference between how the filtration on a salt water tank works differently than on a freshwater tank (I've only had freshwater before). I thought a filter was a must have (like in a freshwater tank) but realized that a sump tank and live rock will do the same thing (like you said). So I decided on returning the canister filter and using the money to get a RO. Luckily I have an extra 10 gallon tank that I am going to convert into a DIY sump tank. I've found some pretty easy to follow directions online and on this site, so now I have my weekend project!

Any suggestions on the set up? I was going to have the intake go directly to the protein skimmer, then have the live rock/sand/plants and finish with a bubble trap and return pump.