Hello I'm new here

[subcreep]

My wife and I have become the proud new owners of a 120G tank. This has inspired us to finally start the reef tank that we have been wanting for some time. Since we are not wealthy we are trying to contruct this tank on a budget. So far I have nothing but the tank so I obviously have some ground to cover. I have been reading the forums here for the last few months and thought it was time to introduce myself and put the word out that I am in need of assistance.

My plan is to modify a 30 gallon tank as a sump/refuge. I need a stand/hood for this tank so suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Any recommendations for a skimmer would be great as well. Things I am unsure of are if I will need a calcium reator or a chiller. Please be free with th advice, and let me know if you have old equipment that you would be willing to part with, just give a me price! Thank you, and I look forward to hearing back from all of you.

 

[mecold]

Congrats! For a skimmer on a budget, I would consider a coralife superskimmer. For a little more, an asm g3. For your canopy, get one that is halide ready, or at least 10" tall. As far as a calcium reactor goes, you can add it later. That is after you get the tank cycled and whatnot. In the mean time, just dose a two part like b-ionic. The chiller is a good idea, but you may can make due with fans in the canopy.

 

[Sk8r]

IF you want to keep acropora corals [the colored sticks] mh lighting is a must; otherwise you can go with less.

You're in FL. If you have a/c, you won't need a chiller, but keep your eye on it, and keep 2 thermometers, one above, one below.

You won't need a reactor of any sort until you're well-along with coral growth. You will need an autotopoff [as cheap as 75.00] and a ro/di unit to purify your water. You'll need ballasts for mh lights if you go that route. They're not cheap. A good return pump, the skimmer, a fan for your sump [you ARE in Florida] and about 150 lbs of live rock [no small investment] plus sandbed...which can be but doesn't have to be live sand.

I use Kent Turbo Calcium and Kent KH Buffer, and a teaspoon, mix well before putting in sump. It's taken 6 months before my calcium demand is starting to make me want a reactor, but price precludes that for now. I'm still hand-adding.

 

[Bennihanna]

Welcome

 

[Discdogge]

Welcome to the group! Good luck with your set up and ask as many questions as you need to, there some great people here who are very knowledgable.

Linn

 

[Edge]

Welcome.

I have a light that may work for your sump/fuge depending on how you set it up.

PM me and I'll give you details.

ED

 

[grochmal]

There's plenty of ways to save money.
You won't have much calcium demand for a while and 2-part additives are probably the cheapest way to go because there's no equipment cost.
Randy Holmes-Farley's homemade 2-part is the cheapest of the cheap and works well.
The need for a chiller depends on a lot of things, including the type of lighting, the temperature you keep your house, whether you use a closed canopy, etc.
If your handy with building you can build your own stand.

The big thing you want to do is research the major equipment well so that you don't end up replacing things after a few months.
This includes your pumps, skimmer and light fixtures.

If at all possible try to attend the next club meeting at Pat's.
This will give you the best opportunity to see how other hobbyists have things set up and will give you a ton of ideas for your own setup.

There's a great group of people here, so don't be afraid to ask anything.

 

[Acroholic]

Welcome aboard and Congrats on the new tank.
Good Luck in your new endeavour!
Well I see you are off to a good start as there is a wealth of information on this site, and many books available also. Keep reading and learning.....it will save you tons of money in the long run.
Feel free to ask any questions...no questions to small!

Remember...there is no such thing as stupid questions......just stupid people who ask questions..... JK

Seriously...the only stupid question is the one not asked!

Enjoy the Hobby!

 

[sea devil]

subcreep sent you a PM

 

[floridareefs]

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