What's Constitues a complete set up?

[Schroea]

Hello! I'm new here and looking for help with a basic equipment list and/or input on what took for used.

I've never had a saltwater tank, but have always wanted one. Finally bought a home and have the perfect place for it.

I'd like a 125 gallon tank with soft corals, fish and a cleaning crew.

I've been combing craigslist for setups, but wanted advice on what I should look for and what constitutes a complete setup?

Once I get the tank my plan was to buy live sand and live rock and fill with waterfront my LFS. Let cycle for a couple months, then slowly add soft coral, fish, etc.

I plan to take it very slow.

Any and all feedback would help.

Thanks!

 

[jsker]

Welcome to R2R. What constitutes a complete setup? When you run out of money
Edit
Tank
stand
filtration
skimmer
heater
lighting
powerheads
This is a good start

 

[Schroea]

Welcome to R2R. What constitutes a complete setup? When you run out of money

from what I can tell that's easy to do

 

[jsker]

from what I can tell that's easy to do

I edited my post, I hit post before answering your question, sorry

 

[jsker]

from what I can tell that's easy to do

Setup a budget
forgot
ATO and ATO holding tank
Dosing pump
Controller is nice also to have

 

[Greenstreet.1]

Quarantine tank for your new comers

 

[Schroea]

Thanks! I was under the impression that live rock acted as a filtration system. So, why do I need an additional filtration system?

 

[jsker]

Depending how much rock you have. I was trying to run a Berlin System, but I am having better results with running a sump. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin_Method

 

[Untamedrose]

Look into an ro/di system too...dont need it Right away if you can buy from the LFS but it's SO much cheaper having your own.

 

[120reefkeeper]

Welcome to R2R. What constitutes a complete setup? When you run out of money
Edit
Tank
stand
filtration
skimmer
heater
lighting
powerheads
This is a good start

Lol !

 

[Bumgrundle]

Look into an ro/di system too...dont need it Right away if you can buy from the LFS but it's SO much cheaper having your own.

IMHO, this is a MUST! 1st thing I ordered after the tank.

 

[reef_junkie]

Be careful with craigslist "saltwater setups" if you can, take an experienced salty with you for insurance. I've seen too many ads for complete setups with incomplete pictures only to find out that it's a hob overflow and a wet dry on a 30 gallon tank with sub par lighting and 10 pounds of rock....for $1000. For the novice a setup like that might look inticing but don't be fooled.

 

[cloak]

This is kind of a loaded question IMO. What works for one might not work for the other. Just as an example, RO/DI is the word of the day looking above at these posts, yet I've been using tap water for almost 17 years now without any problems. Go figure... I guess it all just boils down to trial & error though. GL.

EDIT: I think I may have got lost in the topic. (sorry) If you feel good about the set up you have it's all good... Don't let nobody tell you different about that blue thumb you have. Sometimes you'll listen, other times you'll talk. GL.

 

[reefwiser]

Wow every tank I have had in the past 35 years has never been complete. You always buy something and it doesn't work with your tank. Or you have issues and need to buy a bigger filter or reactor to help solve the issue.
An as your tank grows things change an new challenges come up.
Basic start
Tank
Light
Pumps for water movement.
Heater and here I would add a Ranco temp afire controller to stop the tank from a heater failure.
A skimmer
After you get started a Algae Scrubber would be the firs thing I would add.
A new tank has so many algae issues as the tank matures. That getting control of your phosphate is the first next step.