Brand New - Need some help setting up.

[defect]

Hello everyone,
First post here but I have been looking at this forum for years now and have been fascinated by reef aquariums for even longer. I have finally decided to take the plunge and start my own tank. I would like to start a 60 gallon tank and for it to be mainly comprised of coral. I am wondering exactly what I would be needing to have a successful tank and maybe a price range. I am sure that this has been asked before but there are so many pages and pages of questions I could not find anything recent so sorry in advance.
So far this is what I know I will be needing.
Tank - Dimensions (L x W x H): 48" x 15" x 20" - 60 Gallon *Could be a little smaller* - $500.00?
Live rock - 80 LBS - $250.00
Live Sand - 3 inches - $150.00
2x Koralia 1400 - $150.00
Lights - T5's - Again not sure how many or color ext... - 300.00?
Refuge - Not even sure what or how exactly this works. - No idea on cost
Protein skimmer - Brand/size unknown - $250.00?
RO/DI home unit - $200.00
2x heaters
I know that I don't need all of this right away. Obviously need the tank, rock, and sand. The coral that I really want to be keeping would be Montipora. I figure if I can keep Montipora alive in my tank that I can pretty much keep anything in the tank as well.
Wondering what I might be missing in order to keep montipora. Again sorry if this is a repetitive question to be asked.
Thanks,
Aaron

 

[defect]

I just found a post that pretty much answers my questions. Now just not sure if I want to go with a acrylic tank or glass and still not exactly sure how to set up a refuge/sump. Also not sure if the T5 lighting will be adequate for the monitopora.

 

[snakeblitz33]

That post wouldn't be this one, https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/388776/guides-for-new-hobbyists would it?
For a 60g tank you're looking to spend about 2k on startup.
You don't need a whole lot to get started.
You can do about half of the amount of live rock that you stated... 40lbs is plenty for what you are trying to accomplish. Two piles of rock or one main decending pile would be good too...
You can start with dry aragonite based sand. I recommend a more course sand
More to come - I have to get to class.

 

[defect]

Yep snake that would be one of the ones that I found thanks btw!
The tank that I would want wouldn't even need to be 60gallons if I am reading correctly. I could get away with say a 45-50 gallon tank and keep the same coral. I would like a tank a little on the taller side and make one rock formation something like 20x20x24 but have no idea how many gallons that would be maybe 20x14x24. The tank that Slice has set up I believe is a 47 gallon and absolutely beautiful. That is what I am really striving to achieve with the tank I would like to set up.
Thanks again.

 

[xcali1985]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Defect http:///t/393206/brand-new-need-some-help-setting-up#post_3496355
Yep snake that would be one of the ones that I found thanks btw!
The tank that I would want wouldn't even need to be 60gallons if I am reading correctly. I could get away with say a 45-50 gallon tank and keep the same coral. I would like a tank a little on the taller side and make one rock formation something like 20x20x24 but have no idea how many gallons that would be maybe 20x14x24. The tank that Slice has set up I believe is a 47 gallon and absolutely beautiful. That is what I am really striving to achieve with the tank I would like to set up.
Thanks again.
If your going to go 20x20x24 you might as well go 24 all around and make it a cube.Thats just shy of 60 gallons. Center overflow with returns in two sides of the overflow box.
depending on the size of the hole you get drilled in the overflow you may be able to eliminate powerheads all together.
I agree with Snake that you don't need 80lbs of rock to start. You also don't need 3" of sand to start. These are things you can add in a month or so if start up cost worries you.
I saw that you listed T5s on your list at 300$. Well think about this if you can get by without powerheads as I mentioned above, you can invest that money in a AI SOL LED unit. One unit will light 24x24x24. Then you wont have to replace bulbs. In addition they make nice clamps for them that give it a professional look.
I like that you want to use 2 heaters instead of one big one. I also use two and its just an awesome way to protect yourself in case of failure of one device.
Check out your local reef club: http://www.bareefers.org/home/ I saw your profile says San Fran. Sometime you can get members who are upgrading that have good equipment that with a little TLC will be as good as new.
Hope this helps.

 

[defect]

Yes that did help thank you. How would one go about not having to use powerheads? Sorry I guess I don't understand how drilling big enough holes in the tank would replace the powerheads.
Half the sand and rock at first will save a bit of money so that good. Looks like 100 bucks extra for the lights so $400.00. Would the 20x20x24 tank not work with that light? Would love to have the LED instead of the T5.