NEW GUY (all advice welcomed)

[Dead2theWorld]

A little background. I recently was huge into freshwater with tons of Piranha's. I'm moving back to cali so i had to sell off all my piranhas. In doing so i aquired a remora pro in trade and I'm all about starting this new saltwater adventure. I plan on doing a reef tank and a FOWLER predator tank.
I currently have two 135 gallon tanks and a 60,30,20 gallon for sump use.

Ok. is it possible to run a additional 20 gallon refugium with the 30 gallon sump.This should take care of one of my 135 tanks.

Would a 60 gallon sump be good for my other 135 tank. I have an additional 60 tank that i need to reseal and that i could convert to a sump.

What works for you guys as far as equipment that is isn't too expensive. I dont mind building things myself. i know i have a lot of work ahead of me as far as making my ultimate saltwater room.Thanks guys.

 

[chris31]

i think a 60 gallon sump would work fine for a 135 and then yea you could deff do a 20 g fuge and if you want use the 30 as like a quarintine or a frag tank

 

[Entropy]

[welcome]

I would suggest you do so heavy reading to get an idea of where you want to go as far as setup, what you want to keep, etc. There are limitless options.

 

[Andrew]

[welcome]

 

[jon99]

yep you can run the 20 and the 30 together on the 135. And yes 60 will work great for the other 135. As far as equiment recommendations... I like my Hagen Aquaclear powerheads (inexpensive on ebay), have a great external pump (from what i hear, haven't set it up with my 135 yet) it's an iwaki. And just recently I bought a digital pH meter made by Pinpoint for $75 which I have been really impressed with and have had a lot of fun playing with. If I was to recommend a protein skimmer I'd go with Euroreef, AquaC, or Tunze. I have an AquaC EV 120, but again haven't had a chance to try it out yet because I am still in the process of setting up my 135 (gota buy a bigger place, so it's a long process) . But I did a good bit of research on this equipment and it sounds like cream of the crop.

 

[Dead2theWorld]

Sounds great guys, I've reading up on books, these kindof forms and even been visiting any fish store with saltwater fish. I'd say for probably the last 4 months. I wont be moving back to cali until the end of this month so, all i can do is read up and do as much research to prepare when i get home. I have the bulk of the equipment need for both of my tanks, so i'd say I'min pretty good shape so far. But i know the road ahead of me isnt a cheap one. Thanks again.

 

[ArgonDreams]

Keep a good budget for proper lighting. Usually when people come over from fresh water their lighting is seriously lacking unless they used nice lighting for planted systems. If you plan on doing harder corals I recommend Metal Halide or T5 fixtures. The softer corals (polyps, softs, mushrooms) I recommend Compact Fl, Metal Halide, T5 lighting.

I will say though that the Protein Skimmer and Lighting should be a good part of your budget, get the biggest most efficient you can afford in your budget. Many people try to do it half way and end up spending MORE in the end ironically. (Myself included)