New Setup Question

[jbair]

I'm a newbie (just retired from the military and in one place and stable for the first time in 24 years? and have a few questions. I have a 110gal tank that is not drilled, I plan on setting it up as a reef tank. My questions are:
Can I cycle the tank with LS and pre-cured LR?
I want to do a refuge/sump/overflow, where can I get step by step plans? I've been looking.
Does my tank really need to be drilled to setup a reef?
Is there a thread that gives you step by step directions from beginning to end on how to setup a tank and recommends equipment that should be used(with recommendations on models, flow rate, ect. ?)
Any help would be greatly appreicated.

 

[lion_crazz]

Originally Posted by JBAIR
Can I cycle the tank with LS and pre-cured LR?
Welcome to the boards! You can cycle your tank with LS and live rock. That is the best way to do it.
Originally Posted by JBAIR
I want to do a refuge/sump/overflow, where can I get step by step plans? I've been looking.
I am sure there are threads in the DIY forum on this message board.
This thread is excellent though and contains many good links.
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/80022/advise-for-new-hobbyists
Originally Posted by JBAIR
Does my tank really need to be drilled to setup a reef?
Definitely not. You will need to get an overflow box though.
If you have any more questions, please post them!!

 

[hedonic]

I dont know of any specific threads, but maybe those who have been here longer might be able to help on that from. As far as drilling the tank, if you know someone who can do it, and can afford the the cost of setting up a wet/dry properly it worth the time and effort. If you want to do corals I would strongly recomend it. Although, Fluval makes a 950gph integrated canister filter that would be about as good. The big problem is not being able to use high-volume protein skimmers in a non-drilled tank. Large hand on the back protein skimmers are cumbersome, ugly, and not as effecient as in-sump ones. Also, hang on the back refuge kits (CPR makes a nice one) are still only 4-6 gallons at most and will not be able to match up to the benifits of a large in-sump one. I think www.about.com has DIY plans for sumps, but I am not sure. The key is drilling the thing, if you can do that the rest is just PVC and your imagination.
As far as cycling goes that is the best way to do it. introduce your dry sand, get your salt level right, then start with the LS and LR. I usually recomend just 1/5 to 1/8 LS to dry sand ratio's. It saves money, and by the time a month has gone by this seed will have made all your sand 'Live.' As far as LR, if it is cured you can add as much as you want, but due to cost most people start our with maybe 25% of what they will eventually need, and for a reef in a 110, thats going to be around 150lbs if not more. And as I have set up 110's for clients before, think hieghth when you buy your rock. You will need large base pieces to steady your rock stack so that your rock work can make it close to the top. Let me know if I can help you more.

I don't know if it sounds cheesy or not, but thank you for your service to our country.

 

[hot883]

Welcome JBAIR, and congrats. on your retirement. I did 20 in the USMC (been retired for 3 now) and have a 125 gal. reef. I started my 55 non drilled and just went with a 150 gal. rated sump/refugium bought off of the auction site that came with everything needed to do an overflow. I then transferred everything over here early this month to my 125 reef ready. This is a great place to get help. We don't want your money, Local Fish stores do. Ha! Ask before you buy and read and then read somemore. Use the search button and plug in the word ie. fish coral system etc. that you want to find info. on. Hope that helps. Let the journey begin. Barry

 

[jbair]

Thanks guys that was a big help. Glad to see that their are people here willing to help the new guy. No problem Hedonic, and its not cheesie, I'm very proud of my service and thank you. Lion Crazz I'm orginally from Philly (Mt Airy) and thanks for the reply. Hey hot883 thanks, the hardest thing is adjusting to civilian life, but I'm getting there. I do want to keep corals and fish so I'll do a little more research and look for the plans for the Refuge to check out my options. Again thanks Guys, I my be bothering you again.

 

[lion_crazz]

Originally Posted by JBAIR
Thanks guys that was a big help. Glad to see that their are people here willing to help the new guy. No problem Hedonic, and its not cheesie, I'm very proud of my service and thank you. Lion Crazz I'm orginally from Philly (Mt Airy) and thanks for the reply. Hey hot883 thanks, the hardest thing is adjusting to civilian life, but I'm getting there. I do want to keep corals and fish so I'll do a little more research and look for the plans for the Refuge to check out my options. Again thanks Guys, I my be bothering you again.
It's never bothering to answer fellow hobbiests' questions. That is what we are here for!