This has probably been asked a million times on a fine site such as this, but, here goes. Im looking at setting up a 75-90 gallon reef tank, with a 55 gallon tank for a sump. I dont have unlimited resources, but I dont want to set up a time bomb either. What are the necessitys as far as protein skimmers ect.... that would be a safe healthy starting point with room to add extras later. Brands you guys have had success with would also be appreciated.
necessitys
- Thread starter tdgbmg
- Start date
Macimage
Active member
Welcome to RC!!
I would recommend that you spend a lot of time reading RC for a start.
Then I would look on the RC used equipment forum for someone getting out of the hobby that is within 4-5 hours drive time. You can also look on the Recyler.com and Craigslist.com for good deals. You can usually expect to pay $.50 on the $1 versus the cost of purchasing everything new.
Once you find something that looks promising, I would post a thread asking about the price and specific equipment included.
I would also suggest purchasing good equipment the first time around. Of course, if you find a used setup at a great price with some marginal equipment, you can always sell the used equipment and purchase better quality used equipment.
Here is the link to the RC Lighting & Skimmer forum where you can get really great info on those items:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=212
Here is the link to the local club forums, where you can post to find out if anyone near you is selling a setup:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=80
And here is the link to the RC selling forum:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=2
Have Fun!
Joyce
I would recommend that you spend a lot of time reading RC for a start.
Then I would look on the RC used equipment forum for someone getting out of the hobby that is within 4-5 hours drive time. You can also look on the Recyler.com and Craigslist.com for good deals. You can usually expect to pay $.50 on the $1 versus the cost of purchasing everything new.
Once you find something that looks promising, I would post a thread asking about the price and specific equipment included.
I would also suggest purchasing good equipment the first time around. Of course, if you find a used setup at a great price with some marginal equipment, you can always sell the used equipment and purchase better quality used equipment.
Here is the link to the RC Lighting & Skimmer forum where you can get really great info on those items:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=212
Here is the link to the local club forums, where you can post to find out if anyone near you is selling a setup:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=80
And here is the link to the RC selling forum:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=2
Have Fun!
Joyce
Macimage
Active member
Absolutes would be:
1. A reef ready tank
2. A sump
3. A good protein skimmer
4. Good lighting that will keep the corals you want healthy. In most cases, it will be T5's (should have individual reflectors) or Metal Halides.
5. RO/DI unit as the water is one of the most important aspects of having a healthy tank. The 75 gpd units have a better rejection rate than the 100 gpd units. (You would think the higher gpd unit is better, but it is not).
6. Refractometer to test your salinity.
7. Test kits with ph, nitrate, nitrate and ammonia to start. However, if you purchase a master test kit with Calcium, Alkalinity, Magnesium and Phosphate, that is fine as you will need those later.
8. Live rock & live sand.
9. Fans (or a chiller) to cool the tank. Fans placed over the sump and blowing towards your lights will cool the tank. You may need a chiller later depending on how hot your lighting is and what temperature your home AC is set at.
10. A heater.
11. Water movement as the fish need oxygen and the corals will need flow. Some suggestions are tunzes, vortechs or powerheads such as maxijet.
12. GFCI electrical outlets such as those in your kitchen and bathroom. If you don't want to install new ones, you can get a GFCI extension cord from Home Depot that will trip if it gets wet. Water and electricity do NOT mix and your safety is the most important. I do not mean a surge protector, here is one (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=18026)
Joyce
1. A reef ready tank
2. A sump
3. A good protein skimmer
4. Good lighting that will keep the corals you want healthy. In most cases, it will be T5's (should have individual reflectors) or Metal Halides.
5. RO/DI unit as the water is one of the most important aspects of having a healthy tank. The 75 gpd units have a better rejection rate than the 100 gpd units. (You would think the higher gpd unit is better, but it is not).
6. Refractometer to test your salinity.
7. Test kits with ph, nitrate, nitrate and ammonia to start. However, if you purchase a master test kit with Calcium, Alkalinity, Magnesium and Phosphate, that is fine as you will need those later.
8. Live rock & live sand.
9. Fans (or a chiller) to cool the tank. Fans placed over the sump and blowing towards your lights will cool the tank. You may need a chiller later depending on how hot your lighting is and what temperature your home AC is set at.
10. A heater.
11. Water movement as the fish need oxygen and the corals will need flow. Some suggestions are tunzes, vortechs or powerheads such as maxijet.
12. GFCI electrical outlets such as those in your kitchen and bathroom. If you don't want to install new ones, you can get a GFCI extension cord from Home Depot that will trip if it gets wet. Water and electricity do NOT mix and your safety is the most important. I do not mean a surge protector, here is one (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=18026)
Joyce
Last edited:
Macimage
Active member
Secondary purchases (but pretty necessary before long!) would be:
1. A controller such as a Aquacontroller unit which will control your lights coming on and going off, turn on fans, turn off your lights if the temp in your tank is getting too high, control your heater, etc.
2. An auto top off unit to replace evaporation.
3. A 55 gallon barrel (or something similar) and a powerhead to make up saltwater for water changes.
4. A quarantine setup for new fish.
5. Battery powered air pumps or a UPS unit for power outages so your fish do not die from lack of oxygen. You may also want a generator for longer power outages.
Joyce
1. A controller such as a Aquacontroller unit which will control your lights coming on and going off, turn on fans, turn off your lights if the temp in your tank is getting too high, control your heater, etc.
2. An auto top off unit to replace evaporation.
3. A 55 gallon barrel (or something similar) and a powerhead to make up saltwater for water changes.
4. A quarantine setup for new fish.
5. Battery powered air pumps or a UPS unit for power outages so your fish do not die from lack of oxygen. You may also want a generator for longer power outages.
Joyce
Last edited:
Macimage
Active member
I have an insump H & S:
http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=34_184
The new Warner Marine Skimmers are also very good (I've seen them in action and would purchase one):
http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=34_452
There are more expensive skimmers such as the Bubble King and of course, there are less expensive ones also.
Joyce
http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=34_184
The new Warner Marine Skimmers are also very good (I've seen them in action and would purchase one):
http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=34_452
There are more expensive skimmers such as the Bubble King and of course, there are less expensive ones also.
Joyce
Macimage
Active member
Similar threads
