New and totally pumped!

[labrown]

Hey all!

I stumbled upon this site a little while ago by recommendation of another Austin member, and it is great so far! Much better than other national forums I have been on. So I am fairly new to the Austin area and just checked out many of the sponsor stores today. I am so glad I found this kind of community for aquarium addicts. So, Glad to be here!
Now, here is where I am at in my stages of hobby. I bought a 55 gal aquarium on craigslist when I moved here in August, and have been reading up and practicing what I've learned for a few months since then. But since it was already an established reef aquarium, I haven't had a hard time keeping fish and liverock so far. My levels (only have been testing for ammonia, ph, nitrate/ites so far) have been consistent and my fish are pretty healthy. I've got 2 clowns, 2 skunk shrimp, a hawkfish, 2 firefish, and a little yellow tang. I think they are all doing very well, especially because the YT was missing a chunk from his fin when we bought him and it has since grown back in full glory. BUT, I'd really like to make the switch to a reef aquarium. I've been doing so well on the chemistry part of it all so far, but now it is time for physics: the sump. I already bought a Euroreef RS-80 skimmer, and want to build a sump system just to house the skimmer and increas the volume of my tank. What I (think I) know so far is that I need between 20 and 30 gallons in the sump, I need an overflow box, and I need a pump that can handle at least 500 gal. Am I on the right track so far? I'd like to start this filtration system soon just to improve my water quality (working with a hanging filter and a powerhead right now) before I even delve into corals and other invertibrates, including different lighting, feeding, etc. Anyway, I am so pumped to be a part of this forum and can't wait for any advice or suggestions y'all have for me.

Lauren in Austin

[caferacermike]

Ace is a great guy to start with asking about what he could provide you with in a custom sump. Prof has a lot of equipment for sale. You may need to PM Prof to get his attention.

And BTW, Welcome to MAAST. Check out the meeting listed on the home page in Jan. It would be an excellent way to meet the members, sign up as a charter member and really see why this "local" club/forum kicks butt over that "other" national site you referred to.

[ismvel]

Welcome to Maast Lauren....

[labrown]

Ace is a great guy to start with asking about what he could provide you with in a custom sump. Prof has a lot of equipment for sale. You may need to PM Prof to get his attention.

And BTW, Welcome to MAAST. Check out the meeting listed on the home page in Jan. It would be an excellent way to meet the members, sign up as a charter member and really see why this "local" club/forum kicks butt over that "other" national site you referred to.

WOOHOO!! I am very excited about meeting other folks here! I will for sure check out the local meetings. Oh, and btw, thanks for the lists of places to check out. I went to 4 or 5 different places today just scoping out the scene, and was very pleased with a few places I found.

[caferacermike]

I'm glad to see you here and not there, lol.

[erikharrison]

Welcome to MAAST. This is my daily fix! :bigsmile: ::hint, look at my post count. compare that to my start date.:: haha

[verynewatthis]

Welcome to maast....lots of nice people here to help you out...i started with maast first...and i lived in Az when i started....but everyone here helped me anyways...looks like your on your way...just dont get in to big a hurry...i know that sucks to hear...best of luck..

rich

[alton]

Sounds like your hooked like the rest of us. Before you spend hundreds of dollars you might want to check into getting a 75 reef ready tank so you don't have to deal with an overflow. Plus a 75 gallon gives much more space for liverock and corals and covers you for the near future before you go crazy and move up to a 200 or larger. Also you can usually pick up a 75 reef ready fairly cheap and you can set up your sump, plumbing, skimmer, and lighting before moving everything over from your 55.

[Bill S]

Yup. Here's the consensus formula:

>200g = crazy

That's what my wife says, and I'd agree...

[hobogato]

is that formula for total tank volume of multiple tanks or just per single tank - either way, you and i fit the crazy bill, bill.

[Texreefer]

Yup. Here's the consensus formula:

>200g = crazy

That's what my wife says, and I'd agree...

If its total water volume then i'm about to hit crazy!!

[RayAllen]

If its total water volume then i'm about to hit crazy!!

Im there to, but I want bigger. In the next 3 or so years id like to go 280-300g maybe bigger. And go Inwall. I have some time to convince my wife, lol.

[Bill S]

Well, Ace, don't forget you have to divide by 2... It IS her tank, right?

[tony]

welcome lauren!

[brewercm]

It can't be total volume, that would be wrong.:eek:

Welcome aboard, now just repeat to yourself and everyone else out loud that you are and addict.

[hobogato]

Well, Ace, don't forget you have to divide by 2... It IS her tank, right?

you are correct, but the existing system is about 400 gallons, so even if i add the two and divide by two to average (since we are married, we have to do that right?) we are both in need of meds :D

btw, welcome to maast lauren!

[labrown]

Haha! Y'all sound like my kind of people.:lauging:

I don't think I'm interested in moving up to a larger size tank. I LOVE looking at them, and will probably do it some day, but our apartment isn't very big and already we decided to go with the tank instead of an entertainment center (tanks are totally entertainment centers in themselves!) I bet once I decide to buy a house then I'd consider getting a larger tank, but for now, I like the size we have. Plus I like the few fish that I have and don't want anything much bigger. Big fish gross me out. :rolleyes:

Thanks for the warm welcome, and prepare yourself for all the novice questions I've got!

[hobogato]

if there is any way you can, i would suggest drilling the tank rather than going with an over the side overflow. if you must use the HOB overflow, you may want to invest in an aqualifter pump to make sure it doesnt lose siphon in a power outage. you can also connect an airline to the air intake of a powerhead and put it in the "j" tubes to make sure any air bubbles are sucked out.

[apedroza]

I agree with Ace internal overflows give you more peace of mind and less headaches than HOB overflows. Welcome to MAAST!!!

[RayAllen]

if there is any way you can, i would suggest drilling the tank rather than going with an over the side overflow. if you must use the HOB overflow, you may want to invest in an aqualifter pump to make sure it doesnt lose siphon in a power outage. you can also connect an airline to the air intake of a powerhead and put it in the "j" tubes to make sure any air bubbles are sucked out.

Agree 100% I regret not drilling the tank now, but if I ever move it to another location in the house I will do it then.

AND WELCOME TO THE CLUB:bigsmile: