I am extremely new and i could truly use a lot of help, thank you.

[zerocool480]

All i physically have is a 55 gallon tank and a stand. I would like to do a reef tank given the opportunity and the money of course. I have no a clue of what i need besides the obvious like a filter and a protein skimmer but even then i do not have a clue what kind of either i need to get or how to set up a tank. I did a lot of reading but it seems like so many people contradict one another that its impossible for me to get a straight answer on the equiptment i need to start this and start it right. I would LOVE it if anyone could tell me what i need for equiptment and actually give links to the kind that i should get. Again if this is asking to much please tell me and ill try to find out in another manor....thank you for your time and i hope to hear from you all very soon.

 

[slice]

Welcome to the site!
It is great that you are doing your research BEFORE going headlong into your setup.
If you have not already read these, please do so:
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/forum/thread/301033/101-tips-to-beginning-and-maintaining-a-saltwater-aquarium
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/forum/thread/264597/a-list-of-extremely-helpful-threads-for-all-hobbyists
As far as equipment you will need, I believe most here will first ask you exactly what your goals are (softies, LPS/SPS, mixed with a few fish, etc). Give us your vision so we have a starting point. Knowing what your budget is will quickly become important as well...
Welcome to the site!

 

[zerocool480]

i just want to first start off b saying thank you for being willing to help me out. Now normally i wouldnt want to look like extra like a newbie but truth is want this done right so to answer your question i dont know what those abbreviations stand for haha. If i did i would answer promptly though.

 

[zerocool480]

but i have an idea of what that means, if it means corals and such then i would like small corals, as much live rock as i can be allowed for a 55 gallon, inverts for a nice cleaning team some anemones, and some fish that are very docile or reef safe to be more specific. And as far as money goes, i mean im willing to do what it takes or spend what it takes but if there is corners as far as where i dont have to lose a arm and a leg at the end thats phenominal but again i want it done right and well.

 

[btldreef]

Welcome! Kudos to you for doing research!
The abbreviations are:
SPS - small polyp stony corals (the ones that usually look like hard, colorful sticks)
LPS - large polyp stony corals. These include torch coral, bubbles, all types of brain corals (lobo, open, closed), acans, etc
Softies - zoanthids, clove polyps, leathers, mushrooms, ricordia, palys, etc
FOWLR - Fish Only With Live Rock - tanks with no corals
Reef - tank with corals
Mixed reef - fish and corals (most common)
Have you seen any fish or corals you like?
We can not post links here to competing sites, as this is also a store (and a great one). But we can tell you what brands/types of equipment you'll need based on what your ultimate goal is for the tank. Telling where you are located can also be helpful as users that live near you can guide you to good LFS (local fish stores) and ones to avoid.
Welcome to the addiction....I mean hobby.

 

[slice]

I think abbreviations are covered somewhere in the list of extremely helpful threads.
We were all n00bs once, I was in your shoes a bit over a year ago, just starting out. There are a lot of folks in fairly early stages of reefkeeping here. Fortunately, there are also many highly experienced advanced hobbyist here as well who will give you all the guidance you deserve.

 

[zerocool480]

it would def. be a mixed reef with corals and fish. Um i live in Agawam, Massachusetts. And to be completely honest and more direct the main problem im having is understanding what i need to set up this tank outside of the obvious like fish, sand, live rock, salt mix, R/O water, etc. What i am having a extreme problem is the equipment i need and which ones to get as well as the type of filtration system i need and what works best with my size tank and so on and so forth. And again i have tried really hard as far as reading books and online forums go to figure everything out on my own in order not to burden anyone but everyone give such conflicting answers that i feel overwhelmed as to what to buy for a good operational setup for my tank. I am not sure if this is a common problem among begginers but it seems to be haunting me.

 

[btldreef]

It's a very common problem. The big issue is that every single tank is different and while there are definitely some set wrong ways to do things, there is no one set right way.
You're not being a burden by asking questions. I'd rather you ask questions constantly then come on with a set up tank that is crashing because it was not set up and researched properly before hand, and I think most people on this board would also agree.
Big question as to your equipment is, are you planning on a sump or just a filter on the tank? A sump will require a second tank which is usually set up under the main tank. I do highly recommend going with a sump set up, but it is not necessary.

 

[zerocool480]

Honestly i had no preexpectations i just truthfully thought i would ask what is best and then proceed accordingly. I am willing to put in the time and effort of course as well because i understand that SWF take a lot of time and care. Not to say that i would not like the easiest way to set up a proficient tank either. If you or anyone can tell me the process of either doing a sump or a normal filter then i am willing to listen and follow accordingly as well.

 

[btldreef]

Ok, so I'm going to assume your tank is not drilled. Can you post a picture of it?
Also, is this a new tank, or has it been used in the past? If it's used, what was in it?

 

[zerocool480]

I bought this tank in the past to start a saltwater tank but i realized that i was not ready because i was 19 at the time and this requires time and money something i just did not have then. As far as the picture goes i can post one as soon as i arrive home, currently at work haha. Slow day if you could not figure that out haha. and no it is not drilled.

 

[btldreef]

Okay.
Since it's not drilled, if you went the sump route, you'd need to buy an overflow (or bring your tank to a glass shop or LFS that can drill it for you). I would recommend the CPR CS50 or CS 90 overflows with lifter pump. I'd try to get at least a 20G for a sump, but go as big as you feel comfortable and that will fit under the stand. Proflex makes some nice sumps, the Model 1 and Model 2 would work for your tank or the Eshopps RS 75 or RS100 would be good options as well.
If you decide on a filter, you have two options:
1) A canister filter. These have an inlet to suck in the water through one hose, which goes down into a canister and runs through your media/sponges/etc and then returns up through another hose to the return. It's sort of like a mini-sump in a way, only they hold much less water. Canisters can be great substitutes for sumps IF you keep up with the maintenance. Many people who have issues with them are the ones that slack on cleaning them, etc. I actually run both a sump AND a canister on my 155 reef tank. If you were to go with a canister, a Fluval 305, 405 or Eheim 2213-37 or the Eheim Pro 2071 would be good choices. Personally, I prefer Fluval Canisters.
2) Hang on back filter. This sucks up water into a little filter on the back side of the tank and then returns it right back there. Some hang on units that would fit your tank would be: AquaClear 300 or the Penguin BioWhell 350.
Personally, I'd go with a sump or canister.

 

[zerocool480]

i dont understand how a sump filters or keeps the water clean? you make it sound like it just takes water into the tank at the bottom then returns it. does it have a filter built in or something?

 

[btldreef]

Quote:
Originally Posted by zerocool480 http:///forum/thread/385127/i-am-extremely-new-and-i-could-truly-use-a-lot-of-help-thank-you#post_3376482
i dont understand how a sump filters or keeps the water clean? you make it sound like it just takes water into the tank at the bottom then returns it. does it have a filter built in or something?
Yes, you basically can put all your equipment in your sump and put whatever media (carbon, etc) in there as well as some floss or sponge blocks. I run foam sponge blocks, skimmer, carbon reactor and PhosBan Reactor all in my sump. A sump is basically a giant filter and you get to choose what and how you want to filter things. A filter is premade, it's only really going to filter one way. Most people who use the hang on back filters end up ripping everything out of them and re-doing them, and that, at least to me, is a waste. The extra water volume that a sump allows also helps with water quality and can make maintenance on the tank easier (water changes, dosing, etc).

 

[1guydude]

As far as a skimmer goes....u could hold out maybe a couple months if u cant afford one at the moment. They r rather expensive imo and wat u pay for is wat u get in this addiction. I mean hobby ...however if ur gonna include coral ur gonna want a skimmer! CPR and octopus are okay. They can get much better though i believe! Theres a HOB (hang on back) model or in-sump model. I would suggest the sump as I started my tank not even knowing about sumps and I would prefer one just because of maintence and u can hide most of ur equipment in it.
Quote:
Again if this is asking to much please tell me and ill try to find out in another manor....
no question is to much...ive asked some silly questions and still got answers. Most people on here love talking about their SW addiction and will be willing to help you with a lot!!!!
p.s. WELCOME lol guess i should have said that earlier...

 

[teresaq]

Hi and welcome, If you do a search, there is a thread called Flowers sump build I believe, (i will go try to find it to) it has a lot of good info on building a sump for an undrilled tank.
You will also need a couple of powerheads, Koralia are good, get a couple 3s or 4s.
Next you will have to do a lot of thinking on lights. lol so many to chose from. Look around the equipment section.
Good Luck

 

[zerocool480]

So let me understand a sump. Basically, and of course please correct me if i wrong, is a tank that goes under your display tank and you put some kind of filter medium in it like sponges or floss, im assuming this is the filtration part? and then putting your skimmer, heaters, carbon reactors down there help the display case look a little neater? so there is not filter filter per say? and how does one clean a sump, just like cleaning a normal small fish tank?

 

[teresaq]

Thats it. Water goes down, runs thru what ever filter media you chose, (sponges, floss, filter socks) ( a fuge if you have room for one)(fuge is a place for macro algea, and rock rubble which help build bacteria that helps our tanks) and then is pumped back into your main tank.
Here is the thead I mentioned before https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/forum/thread/380517/flower-s-sump-fuge-build

 

[al&burke]

Hi and welcome to the forum, as the others have said a sump is the way to go. Are you good at building things because this can really help you save a lot of money. TeresaQ suggested reading Flowers sump build do that, I also have one going on where I replaced my canister filter with a sump and fuge and an extra 40 breeder (tank) for a fuzzy dwarf lion. Good luck and this is a good place to learn.

 

[zerocool480]

I'm good at building as long as I have step by step instructions on how to do so. I'm not smart with all of this so something tells me even step by step instructions would have to be dulled down for someone of my caliber to
Understand it. Truth is I have wanted this for a very long time but never had the resources and smarts to do so but with all of your gracious help I think I can make a great reef tank. Thank you all so much again. Anything and everything would be a great help as far as what I need to do.