Setup for Saltwater Aquarium.

[Reroute]

Hello all - I am new to this forum and am seeking all of your expert advice! I am looking to get started with my first saltwater aquarium.

I currently have a 55 gallon tank (48"L x 20"W roughly).

I have comprised a list of equipment that I think that I will need - however, I want to hear what you guys recommend for everything I will need?

(I am looking for a list I can check off for purchasing the correct equipment/systems)

I would like to have live coral, and fish.

Any and all advice is appreciated!

 

[Ef4life]

It can be as simple and cheap as a few black box led fixtures, a couple cheap wave maker powerheads, and a hang on the back filter/ and or protein skimmer. A good heater or 2 and heater controller.

High dollar gear and tons of automation do not guarantee a great looking reef tank.

And welcome to r2r

 

[vetteguy53081]

Is the tank reef ready with overflows?
Titanium heater, good substrate, Vivarspectra or MARS LED will get you by, protein skimmer, dependable return pump and flow pumps (powerheads) such as Koralia

 

[Uncle99]

ATO keeps that salinity on point.

 

[Reroute]

It can be as simple and cheap as a few black box led fixtures, a couple cheap wave maker powerheads, and a hang on the back filter/ and or protein skimmer. A good heater or 2 and heater controller.

High dollar gear and tons of automation do not guarantee a great looking reef tank.

And welcome to r2r

Thanks, This is the list of what I currently had picked out... just want to make sure what I have is good.

- Fluval 307 performance canister filter
- Fluval E Electronic Heater
- Salinity Refractometer
- Lighting

What else am I missing to get going on this?

 

[Reroute]

The tank was given to me by a family member, it is a bit older. I am rebuilding the base right now. It is as you see it in the photos. It holds water, and needs cleaned..

I am just trying to get an idea of what I need to get started, and how much it is going to cost. As i am new to this, I'd expect that even after I have it fully operational, I will run it without fish for a while to get comfortable with the maintenance required. As I stated above, i have scoped out the following items...

- Fluval 307 performance canister filter
- Fluval E Electronic Heater
- Salinity Refractometer
- Lighting

What else am I missing to get going on this? Are the items i have picked out okay?

Thanks

 

[Victor_C3]

High dollar gear and tons of automation do not guarantee a great looking reef tank.

I will have to second that statement.

For me, my first system was of mixed success. I learned a lot about reef keeping. I tore it down when I moved from Germany back to the US. I probably had about $1,500 in equipment.

My second system, using the same equipment as my first, became quite successful. I had an SPS dominate system and it was doing quite well - that is until I lost my job, tore it down, and moved.

With years of experience under my belt, I believe that I’ll finally be able to build a system that could become the envy of many with my third system. I finally have the budget to buy top end stuff and the confidence to know that this hobby isn’t just a passing fad of mine.

I’d imagine that your journey will be similar. Your first system will be of mixed success, but by the time you get to your second or third system, you’ll get things figured out. There’s no replacement for experience and lots of patience.

Best of luck!