My 55 Gallon Build (Slow Build)

[aquareefers]

Hey RC!!
So Im completely new to saltwater tanks, as this will be my first 55 gallon build. I've had a successful 10 gallon freshwater for 2 years now and I'm ready to go saltwater aquarium! I know what type of aquarium I want but I'm having trouble figuring out what's the best way to get there. My goal is to have a reef tank with a 4" in LSB and 50lbs of LR and maybe two or three fish. I don't know yet if I should do everything HOB, or utilize a sump. What do you guys think? Also this build will be over a long period of time, for the fact that I can't buy everything at once. I will probably buy a new toy every month though. I already have my brand New 55gallon tank. Slowly going to be buying peice by peice. I want to get the main stuff set up first though. Like the water and sand but I'm not sure i f that's a good idea being that ill have to add 50lbs of LR after. What do you guys think? I will be using an RO/DI and try and do everything the right way. So my question is what all do I need to start my tank and get my cycle started? Also I want to use a sump but not sure what size tank I should use?*

Thanks reefers!!!*

 

[Space heater]

If you're planning or even thinking of going with a sump you should wait to put anything in the tank. You'll have a very hard time drilling the tank with anything in it. Also, have you checked to see if you can drill your tank? Check the manufacturer's information and make absolutely sure that it's not tempered before attempting to drill.

I'm pretty noob too, but you should really decide on the sump issue before anything else, as it will dictate the next steps you have to take (and the next purchases you make!)

 

[aquareefers]

Thanks for the reply Space Heater! ya I agree on that. The walls of my aquarium are not tempered but the base is tempered. So i should be good on drilling the wholes. The only thing is im very nervous to drill the wholes in my tank and ive checked with my LFS and they dont drill wholes for anyones tanks due to liabilities i guess?? i know glass door has a kit i think but im just super nervous about doing it since ive never drilled a whole in glass before. thats the only thing stopping me from doing a sump because i dont want to have a HOB overflow.
thanks again man

 

[thegrun]

You will need a source for water, either your own RO/DI system or purchase the water at a store. The rock needs to be the first thing you add to the tank when you start it up and begin the cycle. You never want to place the rock on top of the sand or eventually the sand will shift and the rock will fall. 4" of sand is kind of no man's land, it's not deep enough to be a deep sand bed, you need at least 5" of sand for that, but it is so deep it is going to collect a lot of detritus and lead to nitrate problems eventually. Go with either a 2" or less sand bed or go deep 5"+.

 

[aquareefers]

Yea im buying an RO/DI unit and two brute cans for fresh and saltwater. Ok so go with a 5" sand bed. thanks for the input. didnt think of it like that. I was under the impression i guess that two good powerheads would take care of the detritus problems but maybe not the nitrate battles.
Thanks Thegrun!

 

[Badbrad8500]

Definitely plan on a sump, it'll make your tank much more stable. That's important especially as a beginner as your parameters may swing a little more than the guys who have been doing the saltwater thing for years. More water = more forgiving if something goes wrong. I'd set up the sand, live rock, and sump first. You could put an HOB mechanical filter on the tank or sump at first, then later add macro algae and a skimmer into the sump. Wait on fish and coral and you're sure you've stabilized the tank enough that they'll survive, otherwise you may spend a bunch of money on doomed livestock.

 

[aquareefers]

I just bought my sump today from petco its a 20 gallon and I got it for $15! Love $5 dollar rewards program! Thanks Badbrad! Ill be posting pictures later today of my display tank and sump!

 

[JamesHolt]

Look on youtube for how to see if glass is tempered(pretty neat trick). I know both of my 55gallon tanks have ALL the panels tempered, and from what I have been reading most are the same. I have one with the back panel blown out cause I assumed it was not tempered..