New tank

[rjbesch]

Ok, Im new to the saltwater scene and figured i'd give it a shot. I am familiar with freshwater and have a dcenet amount in brackish. I just aquaired a 55 gallon i was going to use to upgrade my 20L brackish tank but now i want to try something different. The tank isn't drilled, and i am scared to attempt it myself b/c i dont want it to crack. How effective are the hang on back deals? How big of a sump do i need to use? how deep of a sandbed do i need? roughly how many pounds of sand would be required to get the desired sandbed needed? i read that i should get about 1-2lbs of live rock per gallon, is this true? Im kinda still searching for fish right now, but i think i am going to stick with just a FOWLR tank right now, and add corals later as i get into it a little more. I have searched for these questions on here, but it keeps telling me the search function isn;t working properly right now......if anyone could help me out in getting started i would greatly appreciate it, thanks
Ricky

 

[masonicman]

Not to be short, but try look at this thread right here in the New to the Hobby

New-First Time on RC-Look Here for Answers

 

[MinnFish]

Alot of your questions can be answered in the stickies at the top of each forum (someone has done all the searching for you). But, to answer a few questions. You could ask your LFS to drill the tank (some will offer this service). A 20L for sump will be effective for a 55gal. Sand depth depends on what you are looking to do (DSB or shallow). 1-2LBS per gallon is correct for LR. Fish compatibility is important when searching for fish (sometimes its numbers, species, shapes, temperment, ect). Give the stickies a try, they are wounderful reading. Hope i could help.
[welcome]

 

[rjbesch]

Thanks for the help, i have hit up the stickies at the top of the page and have also learned alot from them. I do have one question i can't seem to find a straight answer to, would it be better to get the tank drilled as opposed to a hang on the back setup? i dont have acess to a lot of trust worthy LFS that dabble in saltwater. There is one good guy about an hour or so away from me, but i am not sure if he drills or not. And we dont have any clubs around here to get in touch with local reefers.......this town is dull, ha

 

[alextheromanian]

Re: New tank

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12974088#post12974088 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rjbesch
Ok, Im new to the saltwater scene and figured i'd give it a shot. I am familiar with freshwater and have a dcenet amount in brackish. I just aquaired a 55 gallon i was going to use to upgrade my 20L brackish tank but now i want to try something different. The tank isn't drilled, and i am scared to attempt it myself b/c i dont want it to crack. How effective are the hang on back deals? How big of a sump do i need to use? how deep of a sandbed do i need? roughly how many pounds of sand would be required to get the desired sandbed needed? i read that i should get about 1-2lbs of live rock per gallon, is this true? Im kinda still searching for fish right now, but i think i am going to stick with just a FOWLR tank right now, and add corals later as i get into it a little more. I have searched for these questions on here, but it keeps telling me the search function isn;t working properly right now......if anyone could help me out in getting started i would greatly appreciate it, thanks
Ricky

welcome to the hobby! i was asking the same qustions as you did a few months ago...i want to let you know that drilling a tank is alot more intimidating at first thatn you think...i bough theholesaws off of ebay for 8 dollars for 3...never drilled glass...just followed some of the videos on youtube...and guess what??? i have a drilled tank now.


the sump...you just need one that will accomodate what you need...i mean you could even use a 5 galon sump if all you want to throw in it is a ump a heater and some macro algae....generally you pick a sump thats longer so it has room for more compartments.


many of the questions youve asked are already answered in here


oh and wait till you get to the LIGHTING. good luck with that!

 

[alextheromanian]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12974624#post12974624 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rjbesch
Thanks for the help, i have hit up the stickies at the top of the page and have also learned alot from them. I do have one question i can't seem to find a straight answer to, would it be better to get the tank drilled as opposed to a hang on the back setup? i dont have acess to a lot of trust worthy LFS that dabble in saltwater. There is one good guy about an hour or so away from me, but i am not sure if he drills or not. And we dont have any clubs around here to get in touch with local reefers.......this town is dull, ha

drill it yourself! 35 mm hole saw with diamond dust...off of ebay you can find it at 8-9$ all you have to do is go slow and keep the water on it...just dont drill the bottom those are usually temepered...i drilled the back side.

 

[rjbesch]

Thanks, I'm scared about the drilling deal. I want the back of it drilled, b/c like you said the bottom is tempered so it couldn't be drilled anyways....it's just I do things faster than i should as far as working with stuff like that, im scared i would put to much force and try to do it to fast and well, you know what happens when that comes into play. I am going to make some phone calls this weekend and see what i can work out about getting one drilled, as far as the lighting goes, well.......i have been doing alot of reading on it and it still is confusing the crap outa me, haha. But i still ahve to get my stand built and everythign first before i can really dive in hot and heavy. But once again thanks for everyones help and I have already found alot of needed info.

 

[MinnFish]

Rjbesch, try glass supplies co. or a stain glass co. They also can provide the service you are looking for. As far as lighting goes, its the most difficult topic (Chemistry is in a league of its own) to master in this hobby. Everyone has their opinions, so many variables, options, new technology, etc. RC has an entire forum to deal with the more difficult aspects of this hobby. Hope i could help.

 

[Jakesaw]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12974868#post12974868 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rjbesch
Thanks, I'm scared about the drilling deal. I want the back of it drilled, b/c like you said the bottom is tempered so it couldn't be drilled anyways....it's just I do things faster than i should as far as working with stuff like that, im scared i would put to much force and try to do it to fast and well, you know what happens when that comes into play.

Do you have a 10 gallon laying around. YOu could practice on tha tank - if you don't have one - they're only about 10 bucks new. If you successfully drill a couple holes in the 10 gallon - the 55 should be easy.