help starting my first reef

[spinnerbayt]

I want to start my first saltwater tank. Here is a list of things I already have.
1. 55g tank and stand
2. 10g tank for sump
3. hang on overflow
4. 4x65 watt coralife lights. 2 x 6700k 2 x 50/50
5. turbo twist UVS

Things I need...

1. skimmer
2. substrate
3. base rock
4. live rock
5. saltwater test kits

I'm sure I'm forgetting some stuff but thats where I need your help. I'm on a budget so I need your help to keep cost down. If you have somthing I could use I'm not against buying used equipment or I have several smaller tanks that I could trade off. I'm ready to dive in. Help me get it started! Thoughts, suggestions, ideas... let me have them.

 

[phljess]

I suggest you get a little bit bigger tank for your sump, unless you want to run your skimmer HOB. Which I would not suggest. You will definately need a skimmer. I suggest a 65gallon CLSS at the minimum but IME, an ASM is a much better skimmer.

Here is a list of some other things you will need:
1. about a 300-500 gph pump for your sump return
2. Either run a closed loop or buy some powerheads for the tank. I would probably just run about a 1200 gph CL on a 55, this should save you some money on powerheads and you can hide it fairly easily. Or you could go with some nanostreams.
3. Don't forget a hydrometer of some type.
4. Heaters- always buy submersibles
5. Timers are really handy, don't get the cheap ones. i suggest digitals, Intermatics from Lowes are nice.
Plus you will need to buy the rest of the stuff you already mentioned in your post.

BTW, nothing is usually "cheap" in this hobby. I think you would be better off to wait on your tank build than rush into it with cheap equipment that you will not be happy with and having to buy new stuff with in a couple months time.

 

[spinnerbayt]

I knew I was forgeting some stuff. I have a 500 gph pump to use as a sump return. I also have a 200w submersible heater. I may have an extra timmer hanging around form one of my other tanks. As for the sump... I didn't think anything thing much bigger would fit under the stand. I guess I will have to try and see what I can get under there. I have a standard 20 I could try but I have a feeling it won't fit. I will listen to any ideas that you may have on the sump. I'm sure some of you have crossed this before.

 

[firefish2020]

Just get the right flow, that's where most new hobbyists fail. I would also switch out your bulbs to 10 K and actinic. 10K in one channel and actinic in the other. 6700 is more of a fresh water spectrum. Go slow, ask lots of questions,and don't rush and you will have a great system in short time.

 

[spinnerbayt]

Yeah I know the 6700k are best for FW plant tanks. Thats why I have them. I'll switch them out as soon as I can. What would you suggest as far as for the flow? 1 or 2 power heads? Something like MJ1200's? What should I look for in a substrate?

 

[firefish2020]

One MJ-1200 only provides you with 295 Gph and issues about 8 watts of heat per pump. By the time you add up to 4 MJs you have added heat and could buy a better single pump. Thats why I always suggest the use of TUNZE and with the new nano streams the solution is perfect IMO. One 6025 would provide over 660 Gph. That's enough flow for your basic softies and LPS mix tank. If you are going to be getting into SPS you may want to consider the 6045 (1189 Gph), or 6055 (1453 Controllable Gph). These numbers sound huge but when you see them in action you almost always want more especially as your coral grows and hogs out more and more flow from other coral.

As for your substrate, I use and recommend Araga-live or any of the Carib-sea sands in our substrate systems. As many know I have converted to BB in most of my systems so it's not an issue anymore If you use sand (substrate), try not to get it to deep as you can and will experience problems later unless you have poppers flow and nutrient export. You will also likely need to refresh your sand bed in a few years. I think that covers most of it.

 

[spinnerbayt]

Alright, I'll look into the one larger pump system. Sounds like a better idea. How about some ideas on a skimmer. I will be doing my taxes before long, so I may have some money for equipment soon. I don't want to break the bank but I don't want to cut corners and not be happy eather.

 

[MattG]

Your skimmer options will mainly be limited on if you want to use a hang on the back or an insump skimmer. If insump, what size restraints are there in the sump and stand? I would recommend an insump skimmer .

If you are wanting to keep the price down I would look into an ASM. Another good option for the budget shopper is the aquamedic turboflotor. If you are willing to spend more I like Euroreef and H&S.

The reef octopus skimmer seems to be getting a lot of good press lately also. I have never used one though.

As far as circulation goes using a propeller style pump really is the best option for powerheads. Tunze makes top notch equipment but can get pricey. They are worth it IMO.

 

[mcox33]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9192815#post9192815 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MattG


As far as circulation goes using a propeller style pump really is the best option for powerheads. Tunze makes top notch equipment but can get pricey. They are worth it IMO.

Actually by the time you get enough maxijet 1200 's to equal the output of the 6025. You have spent about the same amount of money.

 

[Reef4Fun]

I used to have several maxi jet 1200's in my tank, it raised the temp up so high my corals started bleaching, I switched to a tunze and it is perfect.

 

[MattG]

Mary i was referring to tunze vs other brands Seio, Hydor,... sorry if i wasnt clear on that.

 

[H.crispa]

Hey! the "octopus" name was my idea! Who stole that? Anway, I agree with Phil, go with a bigger sump unless you want to become a slave to topping off as I am. Get the best skimmer you can afford. One HUGE powerhead for current beats several small ones because of the heat issue alone and I have no opinion on which one is the best-- I defer to the other members on that.

Really, I just want to move to Atlanta so I can scuba dive in the reef setup every day to clean the glass. My God you should see that setup.

 

[jmccown]

I'm going to Atlanta in a couple weeks to the G. Aquarium. Tried last year and they were booked up for 3 months. Got tix this year, oh yeah!

 

[spinnerbayt]

What kind of R/O system would you guys recomend?

 

[MattG]

i highly recommend using www.buckeyefieldsupply.com

I use the 75 gpd value series and am very happy with it. Customer service is great as is the price.

If you decide to go with a different unit make sure the filters it uses are decent (5 micron or less)