HELPP! with tank set-up

[jgisler2006]

I am deffinatley a newbie, but this year for the seasons i am going to get an aquarium set up, I was thinking of getting a puffer and some other fish, something that works with the FOWLR system probably in a 40 gallon, now my question is what are the things i will need to maintain this tank as well as equipment for when i set the tank up, minus the food and the fish..
pleaser give me some advice..
and will i need a protien skimmer?

 

[kydizzle41]

i would get a skimmer if not your going to have to do alot more water changes if you do get a skimmer get one that is rated for a 100 gal

 

[saltman23]

Use the search tool on the upper right. There are alot of helpful threads

 

[ca161406]

try to get at least a 55 for a puffer, and even then you have to get a small species like a saddle or something.
LR about 50lbs
LS 1-2" sandbed
i recommend a sump, you can make one out of a 20gal and then a nice skimmer to put in there.
youll need appropriately rated heater/s
a return pump and an overflow box unless you drill the tank
some PC lights, nothing fancy for FOWLR but enough to keep some color on the rocks.
and a good test kit and a refractometer

 

[jgisler2006]

Originally Posted by ca161406
http:///forum/post/2879994
try to get at least a 55 for a puffer, and even then you have to get a small species like a saddle or something.
LR about 50lbs
LS 1-2" sandbed
i recommend a sump, you can make one out of a 20gal and then a nice skimmer to put in there.
youll need appropriately rated heater/s
a return pump and an overflow box unless you drill the tank
some PC lights, nothing fancy for FOWLR but enough to keep some color on the rocks.
and a good test kit and a refractometer

but i for sure would need to make a sump? or is there an alternative?

 

[ca161406]

you could to HOB filters or a canister...which will become a pain in the (_|_) very quickly.
with the sump you can hide all your equipment in there, way way way less maintenance, adds more volume of water, and you can put a fuge

 

[doggiepuffer]

I would say at least go with a Canister at the very least. I have a canister for my 30g and have no major problems with it. A canister will run you $150 and the Sump Filter (aka wet/dry) could run your more if you buy a standard one like an Eshopp... maybe close to 200-300.....

 

[subielover]

You could make your own sump/fuge for a lot less than 200 bucks. Do a search or check out melevsreef dot com. Lots of great info.
+1 for needing a bigger tank for a puffer. 55 gallon minimum.

 

[ca161406]

i built my sump for about 90 bucks. its a 45gal with 3 chambers and ill be putting a fuge soon

 

[saka bra]

ya a sump is deffinatley worth it even though having to pay for it hurts. my canister is in my sump. and i have a filter sock or bag that catches all the heavy debris before they get to the filtration. so i dont have to change my canister often, i just use it for biological and chemical filtration. i do need to clean the sock/bag about twice a week though.