Need help with my 30 gallon setup

Kimberly63

Kimberly63

New member
Ok, I wanted to do a sump for my tank and I called every aquarium around and they couldn't understand why I would want my tank drilled and didn't know how I would do it. I'm very frustrated now. I planned on doing live rock and soft corals mainly, 2 or 3 small fish and starfish way later down the road. I have been trying to plan out my tank for a week and nothing I plan is going my way.

I have a 30 gal that is 30" in length and I'm having the toughest time trying to find a MH light in that length without spending a FORTUNE. Standard compacts come in 130w and I wanted at least 150w - 170w. I'm not having any luck. the only sizes I seem to find are 24" and 38" in the MH or T5 :( Could I use the 24" or try and find a 30"?

The LFS told me today that I won't be able to do a sump for my tank because an overhang basket would be too big. What the heck do I do now? Any LFS I ask wants me to spend this and that and I don't know if they are just trying to rip me off.

My question is - Do I need a sump? or can I get by without one? How does a pump work in the tank if I don't have a sump - would I need 2 small pumps to circulate the water?

I'm getting a protein skimmer as well what size would be best? I know having live rock in the tank eliminates the need for a filter but should I have one anyways since I don't have a sump?

If anyone can help me in the simplest way possible, I'd really appreciate it!
 
Hi Kimberly

Ok, to get an idea of what you're speaking of, what do you consider to be a "fortune" when it comes to spending on your lighting? Are you looking for an all in one fixture kind of setup, or are you going to have a canopy on the whole tank that lighting will be installed in?

A sump is a good place to hide equipment. If you don't have one, then your equipment will have to be on your display and you'll have to accept that. I suppose, at this time, it would be good to ask yourself exactly what you're looking to get out of this tank, and do you want to consider getting something that is already reef ready instead of using your current tank. Not saying you have to, but now is probably the best time to ask yourself this question before you go buying equipment specific to this tank. That being said, with good flow in the tank and a HOB skimmer, you'll be good to go with this tank in that regard. How tall is this tank?
 
Well, I was planning on not spending $4-500 on a light from my LFS, which is what they want for a good MH. I just wanted a one fixture. I didn't want to spend more than $200 for a light.

My tank is 18" tall, 12" depth, 30" wide
 
Well, I have the 30gal and a 55gal, and I wanted to wait to set up the 55gal whenever I have my own place and not living in an apartment. I also wanted to start something smaller since I have no experience. I just got the 55 gal and stand for $100 so that was a great deal but a heck of a lot of money I would need to start it up. I was just going to store it for now. *sigh* Thanks for the help though!
 
If you are going to set one up then I would invest in the 50 gal. Or you could just go with a fowlr for now and just get a cheap one bulb light on the 30 gal.Fish don't need the strong lights,it's the corals that do.
 
I started out my tank with a hang-on-theback skimmer
i ran it like that for about a year no problem.
you can run a tank with out a sump

as for lights, i would get the sunpod like they already mentioned, or get a MH pendant. any 150 watt MH is sufficient for a variety of corals.

continue doing your research, this website is a great place to start
 
Kim PATIENCE is what u need in this hobby. Now what I would suggest is start ur tank with the 55 gallon and use the 30 as ur sump. I personally think a sump is a must cus u can do a variety of things with it. Here's a link to my 30 gallon tank its only 6 months old http://s232.photobucket.com/albums/ee239/rbtwo4/
What do u think? How long would it take u to save up for a MH light? Since u have to let ur tank cycle and go thru the process in the mean time u can save up for that light because that light will be 1 of the most important things ur tank needs if u want a reef tank. I'm using t5's and the fixture I got was just a little over $200 I have a HOB overflow and HOB skimmer if it were up to me I would prefer a drilled tank but I had to deal with what I had b4 I knew anything about sumps.
All in all I think u can do it just don't give up so easily it takes a lot of time and especially patience. =)
 
A nice sized city like Pittsburg is sure to have a reef-club nearby. They may even have a forum here on Reef Central.

They will help you get your tank drilled, let you know the good vs. bad LFS, and probably be a huge help in getting your system set up.

I really suggest tracking down a reef club in your area. You won't regret it!!!

Tracy
 
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