advice

[cazmento]

we decided that we would like a saltwater fishtank at work. i have a 55 gallon at home, and used to have a nano reef tank. what i am looking for is suggestions as to lighting and inhabitants, we would like something that will look nice, that will not get dirty too quickly. i have a 75 gallon tank kicking around that we will probably use. also, we would like to conceal all of the hardware. i have never dealt with sumps before so any info would be useful, thanx!

 

[joker_ca]

i would do a fish-only tank, that will be alot easier to maintain than a reef would
maybe some live rock and some fake corals to add some color

 

[kdfrosty]

Yup, I'd also do a FO tank. Lots less maintenance.
I'd start of by measuring the size available underneath the stand for a sump. Remember, with a sump bigger is better.
Is the 75g tank that you plan to use reef ready/drilled? If not, you will need an overflow/Weir box as well as a return pump.
I'd recommend just normal output flourescent lights for a tank with fish only.
If you can put specifics here I am sure that you will get more help.

 

[cazmento]

the stand is not yet built, so we can build it to whatever specs we need. although it is for a buisness we are trying to keep the costs "low". i have heard that rubermaid containers will work? the tank is not yet drilled. but we could do that ourselves also, as long as we have the proper glass. what type of normal output likes will give the best color?
what do you recommend for a return pump?
thanx

 

[danedodger]

I guess a rubbermaid could function as a crude sump but check out this site whatever you do so you can understand sumps better http://www.melevsreef.com/ The return pump will have to be calculated. If you get one that's too strong the sump will run dry but one that can't keep up with the water volume flowing in and you have a flood in the office!
I don't know about drilling that tank. Didn't I hear that that can be risky and stress the glass so that it's more prone to cracking later? Man it'd just stink to get a lovely tank going then all of a sudden it breaks!! :scared: :scared:

 

[kdfrosty]

You should be able to get a tank drilled without a problem. I would have it done professionally, though. If you decide that you don't want to have your tank drilled, you can use an overflow. It adds about $60 to the cost of the tank, and just one more piece of equipment to maintain.
When you build your stand make sure that you leave as much space inside as possible. the article that Danedodger has linked to (above) is informative, but personally I would just read through Squidd's threads here on SWF.com.