Personalized or prebuilt setup.

[BoisBlancBoy]

So I'm looking to get back into the hobby but was a freshwater guy for many years. I sold off all my stuff and am now regretting it. Since my knowledge of the saltwater side is so limited I've been looking into full prebuilt systems but I'm not sure it's the way to go since there doesn't seem to be many options out there. I guess I'm looking to hear from anyone with experience for advice.

I'm looking to have a display tank in the 55 gallon range with a sump large enough to have a useful refuge. I'll start out as a FOWLR with the intention to get into corals. I know lighting is insanely important and don't want to skimp out on it. I've looked at the Red Sea setups in the size I'm looking for but the sumps won't do for a good refuge in my opinion. Plus I don't like the overflow inside the tank. But with that said maybe that's a good option for a reef tank, again my knowledge is so limited maybe I don't know what I'm looking at.

Anything to help a guy out spinning his wheels would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Reef noob_]

I'm glad you're getting into the hobby, it's great!

I would go for a Reef ready (pre drilled) 90 gallon tank. It's 4' long, just like the 55 but has considerably more room and volume. Couple this tank with a 40g breeder sump that you can cut baffles for to create that large fuge and you'll be off to a great start.

You'll need some kind of overflow in the tank and the pre made Reef ready corner overflows are among the sleekest out there. You won't even notice an overflow when the tank is up and running.

As far as lighting, I use two Marsaqua led "black boxes" off ebay, but would recommend a T5/LED combo for the best bang for your buck lighting solution. For a 90g I'd go for the Aquatic life retrofit T5 / LED kit and two AI hydra prime LEDS. That'd about $700 total for estremely solid lighting.

Make sure to check out all the sticky threads for more general info on setting up a system.

The bulk Reef supply 52 weeks of reefing video series on YouTube is a great way to learn more as well, and is pretty much the best way to get up to speed on everything related to reefkeeping.

Be sure to let us know if you have any other questions.

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[BoisBlancBoy]

Reef noob thanks for the detailed write up. I have been watching a lot of the BRS video and really enjoy them. The tanks with the corner overflows they are drilled though the bottom correct? That’s what I’d like anyway. I had a 240 gal fresh system with a HOB overflow which worked great but I didn’t like how far away from the wall it had to sit.

How about tank stands? I built one for my 240 but don’t want to do all that this time.

Lightning for some reason is hard for me to figure out. I feel I’ll just have to take the recommendation from someone who knows and just go with it.

 

[BoisBlancBoy]

Scratch the question for tank stands, I’ll just build one again.

With the lighting setup that was advised above, if I got this would I be able to dim it or something? Just wondering if it’s going to be overkill till the time I actually need it for soft corals? Or is it too much for soft corals? Like I said lighting is a tough one for me to digest with the countless options.

 

[KTwo]

BoisBlancBoy I'm in the same position as you. Have done freshwater but thinking of taking the reef plunge and not finding what I want in a 'package' setup. I like the Red Sea tanks but prefer a different stand. And the setups in my size don't come with a sump that host a fuge. So I'm leaning more and more towards the DIY approach.

I looked at some reef ready pre-drilled 90's but all the ones I've found have rims. What have you found?

Have you looked at the Innovative Marine Nuvo APS stands? I really like the look and they're aluminium, not wood. They seem to be sized pretty consistently with most tanks out there.

-K2

 

[BoisBlancBoy]

BoisBlancBoy I'm in the same position as you. Have done freshwater but thinking of taking the reef plunge and not finding what I want in a 'package' setup. I like the Red Sea tanks but prefer a different stand. And the setups in my size don't come with a sump that host a fuge. So I'm leaning more and more towards the DIY approach.

I looked at some reef ready pre-drilled 90's but all the ones I've found have rims. What have you found?

Have you looked at the Innovative Marine Nuvo APS stands? I really like the look and they're aluminium, not wood. They seem to be sized pretty consistently with most tanks out there.

-K2

Actually to be honest I haven't even paid attention as to whether they have been rimless or not. I've always had a rimmed tank so they don't stand out to me. But I'd like some recommendations on where to get a rimless reef ready(predrilled) tank??

Thanks I'll check those stands out.

 

[BoisBlancBoy]

Well after doing a lot more reading and looking at different options I think I have a better idea of what I want/will do. I was looking for a 90 reef ready tank as that was what I was willing to spend on it. After searching craigslist I’ve come across a bunch of tanks that size or larger for a fraction of the price including much more equipment. Only issue is 90% of them aren’t reef ready but I can alleviate that with a nice overflow kit which would still allow me to install a Herbie drain. One of the other important issues for me is I want a large sump and fuge to be a very effective nutrient export system.

 

[billdogg]

If you can build a stand you can drill the tank and have the overflow you want. The problem with "reef ready" tanks is that they are invariably fitted with a 1" bulkhead. Drilling yourself you can put in an actually useful bulkhead, and in the place you want it. My personal preference is for the overflow box to be mounted in the center of the tank so that the view from either side is unobstructed.

 

[BoisBlancBoy]

If you can build a stand you can drill the tank and have the overflow you want. The problem with "reef ready" tanks is that they are invariably fitted with a 1" bulkhead. Drilling yourself you can put in an actually useful bulkhead, and in the place you want it. My personal preference is for the overflow box to be mounted in the center of the tank so that the view from either side is unobstructed.

Didn't even think about the size of reef ready bulkheads. The one option I was thinking would be of advantage is having the holes in the bottom of the tank to make a direct shot into the sump and have the tank back pushed up tight to the wall. But with a decent overflow there would be "œless" obstructions inside the tank.

 

[billdogg]

I've had tanks up against the wall in the past, but inevitable salt spray can/will damage the wall so unless you are prepared to do some drywall repair, I'd avoid that if you can. The other thing to think about is that sooner or later, something will fall (or jump) behind the tank. If you can't get back there it will sit until you tear down the tank. If it's a pencil, no problem. If it's a fish of any size, your SO just might complain about the smell. (Don't ask me how I know this) In many cases, the nearest available electrical outlets are also back there. I like to allow 4-6" space between the tank and wall. It's just easier that way.

 

[BoisBlancBoy]

I've had tanks up against the wall in the past, but inevitable salt spray can/will damage the wall so unless you are prepared to do some drywall repair, I'd avoid that if you can. The other thing to think about is that sooner or later, something will fall (or jump) behind the tank. If you can't get back there it will sit until you tear down the tank. If it's a pencil, no problem. If it's a fish of any size, your SO just might complain about the smell. (Don't ask me how I know this) In many cases, the nearest available electrical outlets are also back there. I like to allow 4-6" space between the tank and wall. It's just easier that way.

Funny you say that cause when I had my 240 set up that happened a lot. Between my son and the damn cats there were more balls and nerf darts behind that thing when I tore it down than I could count. Luckily no aquatic life!

 

[KTwo]

Well after doing a lot more reading and looking at different options I think I have a better idea of what I want/will do. I was looking for a 90 reef ready tank as that was what I was willing to spend on it. After searching craigslist I've come across a bunch of tanks that size or larger for a fraction of the price including much more equipment. Only issue is 90% of them aren't reef ready but I can alleviate that with a nice overflow kit which would still allow me to install a Herbie drain. One of the other important issues for me is I want a large sump and fuge to be a very effective nutrient export system.

Your Craigslist is better than mine. You'd think the Baltimore-Washington DC corridor would be better but I'm really surprised at the lack of stuff for sale. Lots of freshwater 20g kits and junk stuff. The occasional reef tank but usually someone selling the entire thing, livestock and all.

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[rocsec1]

I think building your own is the better way to go. Prebuilt is nice and easier at the beginning but most people will want to make changes.

 

[BoisBlancBoy]

Your Craigslist is better than mine. You'd think the Baltimore-Washington DC corridor would be better but I'm really surprised at the lack of stuff for sale. Lots of freshwater 20g kits and junk stuff. The occasional reef tank but usually someone selling the entire thing, livestock and all.

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I've found a lot of whole setups for sale, fish included, which I'm not interested in. I'd want to start with my own livestock. Biggest thing is I want to learn and observe as things slowly progress.

 

[ryeguyy84]

Have you looked up the beananimal drain? Might be worth looking into

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[BoisBlancBoy]

Have you looked up the beananimal drain? Might be worth looking into

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Yes I have. It definitely gives you peace of mind with the redundant emergency drains. As long as I have the room I will be installing one. Nothing fun about cleaning up a water issue.