Total Saltwater noob

[Kayak_Guy]

Hello!

Well after living and fishing here on the coast of Florida for my entire life (24 yrs). I've decided to try a saltwater tank.

I have a 40gal tank.....that's it so far.

I've been trying to do a lot of reading here in the last weeks, and I still have a few questions.


1. How do I know if I can drill the glass on this tank?

2. Live rock...? is just for reef tanks?

3. Skimmers, is there a consensus on what brand to try.

4. Substrate, sand or crushed coral? How do I choose.


Thanks for the help.

 

[andrewsmart]

sand defo

and go for live rock no question.

 

[Scuba_Steve]

<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>

First of all, read through these, they will answer many questions, and will give you many more. :lol:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=239848
http://reefcentral.com/modules.php?s=&name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=1
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=912378

More info can be found here
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1031074

1. You cannot drill tempered glass. Most tanks have a tempered bottom, but I forget how to check.
2. Live rock is great for all marine tanks, reef, or fowlr (fish only with live rock) It is a far superior filter to canisters, hob, and everything else out there. You only need it, flow, and a protein skimmer.
3. AquaC Remoras are the best bang for your buck imo. Deltec makes some great skimmers also but are more pricey. For in sump I would say ASM or Euroreef.
4. Aragonite sand definately. Crushed coral collects detrius and isnt good for fish that play/sift in the sand.

My best advise...... Research before you buy ANYTHING. Live or equipment. Also dont trust a lfs (local fish store) until the prove trustworthy. They are out to make money, andwill sell you alot of junk that you dont need.

 

[WaterKeeper]

Hi Kayak
<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>

Read The New Tank Thread and Setting Up a Marine Tank and your questions will be answered.

Or you could read Scuba Steves list and get the same answers.

Thank Steve :thumbsup:

Sad day when the Air Cav beats the 101^st io the punch

 

[Kayak_Guy]

Thanks everyone for the quick replys, I'll check out those threads thanks.

It seems to be better to have a sump, I'm trying to figure out how I can make one, and if I can drill the glass.

 

[Scuba_Steve]

Your getting slow on me WaterKeeper
BTW Im a ground pounder, so how does it feel to get outrun by a tank?

 

[Scuba_Steve]

It is better, and you will be much happier without heaters and skimmers cluttering your tank up. They sell hang on back overflows also, but drilling is more reliable.

 

[WaterKeeper]

Back in my day I could outrun a tank but they didn't have the Abrams then.

 

[Kayak_Guy]

I'm reading about the sumps in the article WaterKeeper gave.

What is a good online store to buy overflows, skimmers etc?

 

[Abynum1]

WaterKeeper, You were in the 101st?
So was I,three years, (87-90.)
I never seen an Abram that could outrun a Crash Hawk, I mean BlackHawk.

 

[WaterKeeper]

When I was in the 101^st it was a Sherman/ Patton trying to outrun a Slick, I mean UH-1-Iroquois.