Suggestions/help

[BabyJoker28]

Hello. So I am new to saltwater tanks and was looking for some advice. Ive done a lot of research and reading on setting up the perfect tank. What I have planned in mind was starting with my tank off as a barebottom fowlr. so far I have a 65 gallon tank, 45 pounds of dry rock. what are some more recommendations that I am missing to help accomplish this tank?

 

[Samina]

Welcome to R2R!!

Are you going to be cycling in tank? Nottled bacteria (Dr. Tim’s One & Only, microbacter7, Biospira) and a ammonia source will get you started with that.

Do you plan to have a sump in this build?

 

[BabyJoker28]

Welcome to R2R!!

Are you going to be cycling in tank? Nottled bacteria (Dr. Tim’s One & Only, microbacter7, Biospira) and a ammonia source will get you started with that.

Do you plan to have a sump in this build?

yes I plan on cycling the tank. also, I was thinking of running a cannister filter that ive used for my freshwater. I have a aquatop uv 400. was also thinking maybe a hob skimmer?

 

[ndrwater]

A HOB and/or canister will definitely get the job done, but.. if you have the means and space, a sump makes life much easier.
A HOB skimmer is a good plan with your current setup and gear. If I had to choose, I'd go Reef Octopus. I have a couple of their skimmers and they work great and are at a reasonable price point as well.

Oh.. and #WelcometoR2R !!

 

[stanleo]

yes I plan on cycling the tank. also, I was thinking of running a cannister filter that ive used for my freshwater. I have a aquatop uv 400. was also thinking maybe a hob skimmer?

Seriously consider a sump. Canister filters on saltwater tanks are so much harder to maintain than having a sump. I ran a canister on my first and it was a nightmare. This one is so much more fun.

 

[Peace River]

Welcome to R2R!!! Another important thing to think about is where your water is going to come from. Are you going to buy premixed saltwater from your LFS? Buy RO water and then mix your own saltwater? Buy an RO unit and mix your own saltwater?

 

[Fudsey]

Welcome to R2R ! ! !

I have to agree with a sump if at all possible. And if you can, try to get at least 1 piece of live rock from a friends tank or LFS. Just make sure it's clean of aiptasia.

 

[BabyJoker28]

A HOB and/or canister will definitely get the job done, but.. if you have the means and space, a sump makes life much easier.
A HOB skimmer is a good plan with your current setup and gear. If I had to choose, I'd go Reef Octopus. I have a couple of their skimmers and they work great and are at a reasonable price point as well.

Oh.. and #WelcometoR2R !!

thank you for the help! my plan for sure is to throw some coral in there down the road. Which I was actually going to look into getting /setting up a sump once I can get everything established

 

[BabyJoker28]

Seriously consider a sump. Canister filters on saltwater tanks are so much harder to maintain than having a sump. I ran a canister on my first and it was a nightmare. This one is so much more fun.

are there any recommendations for a sump? or the proper setup for one

 

[BabyJoker28]

Welcome to R2R!!! Another important thing to think about is where your water is going to come from. Are you going to buy premixed saltwater from your LFS? Buy RO water and then mix your own saltwater? Buy an RO unit and mix your own saltwater?

yes my local LFS has water premixed ive planned to buy

 

[ndrwater]

Again, depending on space and means, using quality live rock from a reliable source like @Fudsey said is key. Having sufficient flow within the tank is a biggie too

 

[BabyJoker28]

Welcome to R2R ! ! !

I have to agree with a sump if at all possible. And if you can, try to get at least 1 piece of live rock from a friends tank or LFS. Just make sure it's clean of aiptasia.

okay perfect. is there a range I should stay around for the lbs of rock in the tank to keep balance ?

 

[ndrwater]

There are tons of good sump manufacturers out there. Trigger Systems, Eshops are a couple of popular brands out there.
There is also the DIY route too if you are even moderately handy

 

[Samina]

I vote sump as well. Especially since you indicated that you may want to dabble into coral in the future. It’ll save you a headache down the line. Once that tank is filled, it’ll be hard to work out plumbing a sump and even possibly getting the sump in the stand, depending on how your stand is configured. Since your tank is not drilled, look into HOB overflow boxes. I had one that was made by LifeReef on a setup before and it was awesome. Can’t speak about any others as I had not tried them. I also recommend looking into getting a RODI unit as lugging those bucket from the LFS can get old very quickly and with a 65gal tank, the cost/hassle will add up quickly.

 

[Buffalou]

Go to youtube search ULM Tank Trials Ep-1: What is Ultra Low Maintenance? | BRStv
and watch every episode. It will take some time but the education will pay off in long run, trust me. There will be a lot of more advanced stuff in it but the backbone of reefing is explained and it will keep you from buying junk you don't need, while pointing you in the right direction of things you will need. I wish it was around prior to my bump in the dark learn as you go journey. I can't tell you how many different mistakes I made jumping after this or that when I wasn't ready or didn't really have the need for it. Think long term, decide what you would like to eventually do with it and proceed slowly. May sound like broken record from me, but know what your water is doing it, when it is doing it, and why it is doing it! Good luck and welcome to the addiction

 

[reef lover]

Welcome to r2r!

 

[Fudsey]

okay perfect. is there a range I should stay around for the lbs of rock in the tank to keep balance ?

There is but most really don't follow it. You can get around it by either having some in you sump or using brightwell or marine pure blocks. I'd have to look up what "they" say you should have per gallon.