mapleredta
Reef addict
I have no idea where to being, so I turn to yall. I purchased a 55 gallon starter kit from petsmart. I have about 50 pounds of gravel (no help now) a pump, filter and heater. What do you recommend buying next?
Wanting to setup salt water tank.
- Thread starter mapleredta
- Start date
Tehrab
New member
Go out and purchase the following book at the very least:
The Conscientious Marine Aquarist: A Commonsense Handbook for Successful Saltwater Hobbyists
ISBN:1890087033
Having a base of reference in this hobby is nearly mandatory. There are some good threads also on this board for beginners.
The Conscientious Marine Aquarist: A Commonsense Handbook for Successful Saltwater Hobbyists
ISBN:1890087033
Having a base of reference in this hobby is nearly mandatory. There are some good threads also on this board for beginners.
Scuba_Steve
Premium Member
Welcome! Here is a few good places to start. Read through them and then start asking lots of questions. First of all dont buy anything without research and asking here on rc first!
http://reefcentral.com/modules.php?s=&name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=1
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=912378
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
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=239848
taillonjohn
Member
you need a big, fat wallet....... if your on this sight it's cause I assume your thinking of a reef tank, in which case you will need a huge investment from what you are provided in your starter kit. best suggestion now is read through this forumn, give yourself a good odea of what you want, then go spend
mapleredta
Reef addict
:eek2: I really have no idea where to begin, what exactly is a sump tank and skimmer? I know if I do some searching id probably answer my own question.
taillonjohn
Member
only way to answer your questions is to do your own research. there are many ways of doing everything, and if you do something wrong you'll pay ($$$$) to fix it. my suggestion is to click on "rk mag" above, select 'past issue's', and then search by topic. you can then download articles on "what is a sump", "what is a protein skimmer", etc..... print yourself a batch of articles for weekend reading, and after the weekend reading, you'll have an excellent idea of where to start, what kinds of questions to ask, etc...... your question now is just to broad to answer (for me at least). its a fun hobby, good luck
stuccodude
New member
Find a small local fish store that specializes in salt water fish, its gonna be a bit more money but the knowledge is worth it, good luck goes im hooked
Shagsbeard
New member
Consider your first tank an education, and you'll have a positive experience. I am. I'm now in the process of learning that you absolutely must quarentine or else your entire tank is at risk from infections like Ich. I'm currently fallow because of it. I hope it works. I'll definately quarentine the next try on livestock.
You are in a good place to learn... but you have to do that yourself. We can only guide you. Sumps are a really good thing to have... read up on them in Melev's site. http://www.melevsreef.com/
You are in a good place to learn... but you have to do that yourself. We can only guide you. Sumps are a really good thing to have... read up on them in Melev's site. http://www.melevsreef.com/
mwwhite
New member
To answer your question, for systems with biological filtration, especially those with a protein skimmer, the sump is a smaller tank that the protein skimmer drains (overflows) into. In this setup, the display tank overflows at the top and drains into the protein skimmer. A return pump site inside the sump (submerged) pumps skimmer water back into the display tank. This is preferred by most aquarists and is very common here.
Your main saltwater options are FOWLR (Fish-Only With Live Rock) or reef (mostly corals, few fish). Live Rock is normally used for both. Live Sand may be used for a substrate as well, although some opt for "bare bottom". Both live rock and live sand are part of the overall biological filtration system. Reef tank is a significant step beyond FOWLR, with higher startup costs, higher running and maintenance costs, and more time.
Corals are the difference. They require higher-performance lighting and waterflow (powerheads), and they deplete Calcium and Alkalinity, which likely need to be supplemented.
You definitely want to think about what kind of aquarium you want to have, and what resources you're willing to commit to it.
Your main saltwater options are FOWLR (Fish-Only With Live Rock) or reef (mostly corals, few fish). Live Rock is normally used for both. Live Sand may be used for a substrate as well, although some opt for "bare bottom". Both live rock and live sand are part of the overall biological filtration system. Reef tank is a significant step beyond FOWLR, with higher startup costs, higher running and maintenance costs, and more time.
Corals are the difference. They require higher-performance lighting and waterflow (powerheads), and they deplete Calcium and Alkalinity, which likely need to be supplemented.
You definitely want to think about what kind of aquarium you want to have, and what resources you're willing to commit to it.
