Help for a newbie please

[rickrutland]

Hi

I have just gotten a 55gal (with nothing but the stand) and would like to try saltwater. I'm thinking fish with live rock & sand to start, perhaps reef later. Will I need a sump/trickle filter and protein skimmer or can I start with one or the other. How much lighting should I need. I'm still reseaching.
Thanks :wink_smile:

[Troy Valentine]

Welcome,

All I can say is spend the money up front, it will save far more money down the road.

Have the tank drilled, and buy a multi chambered sump, you will enjoy the added space to put STUFF into, ie Algaes, Skimmers, Algae srubbers ect. It is also nice to maintain a constant water level in the display tank.

I had a 55g in college, and it was one of my favorite tanks. I had a single 400watt light right in the middle of the open top tank. I could grow anything with this set up, SPS in the middle right under the light, and LPS and Softies on the sides. The light only took up 20" so there was plenty of room to access the water.

There are many way to light an aquarium depending on what you want to keep... Continue researching before you make a move. Patients is the most important trait to have in this hobby....
HTH

[Gilbert]

Before buying the lights think about what you want to do with the tank in the long run. Because you may buy the lights you want for now but later on you'll realize that those lights aren't strong enough for that you wanted. I spent $200 on pc's for my 55 gallon then 10months later i spent $350 on a MH setup.

But as far as what you can use right now for a fish only tank, i think any lights would work fine. But i recommend getting at least a 2 bulb t-5 setup.

[ballardjr2000]

Research and patient is the key, as well as spending the money up front. When my freinds ask me what cost the most for a saltwater tank. I tell them straight up. The up front cost is more than anything else. And what i mean by that is getting the right equipment, sump/light/protein skimmer/etc. the first time so you don't have to replace it later down the road or its too small or not what you wanted. And as always ask. I still do to this day.

[Mr Cob]

Hi

I have just gotten a 55gal (with nothing but the stand) and would like to try saltwater. I'm thinking fish with live rock & sand to start, perhaps reef later. Will I need a sump/trickle filter and protein skimmer or can I start with one or the other. How much lighting should I need. I'm still reseaching.
Thanks :wink_smile:


Welcome to MAAST! There's a lot of knowledgeable reefers on here with a ton of experience. One thing about this hobby; you can never ask too many questions. DO as much research as possible so that you can make the best decissions possible for your reef inhabitants.

For fish only, there is no requirement for lighting but you will definitely want to load up on plenty of live rock, a skimmer and definitely a sump/refugium. Sump is great place to put unsightly equipment like skimmers and heaters and the refugium is great to grow macro algae and pods in a place where there are no predators. Growing macro algae is great because it will help aide in keeping your nitrates in check and you can use it to feed the tangs and other fish. Live rock is your single best form of a filtration system!

Lots more to talk about...

Good luck and keep us updated on your progress.

PS: No thread is complete without pictures!:bigsmile:

[rickrutland]

Wow. Thanks for the help. I plan on asking lot's of questions.

1st one: Where would I see about getting a tank drilled?

[txav8r]

There are several sponsor stores that will drill tanks. I know Reefs2U will do it. THere are also several members that can drill the tank for you. Hobogato and DarthTater are a few.

[uriah]

Welcome and patience patience patience! I have wanted to throw in the towel a couple times, but it is so rewarding to push through that frustration and see your tank bounce back. Reefkeeping is like crack!

[clone]

yep just like CRACK!!!!!

[ballardjr2000]

what crack oh oh...sorry yeah the rewards are worth the headaches lol. I have stressed over my tank thinking it was stressed just top be over joyed cause my tank was fine and just me freaking out.

[uriah]

If nothing else, invest in a really good skimmer from the start... Cant go wrong with a good skimmer and regular water changes:shades:

[rickrutland]

Wow!!! I can see I have lot's to look forward to :-)

What are good sources of live rock? Do I need to get it all at once or can I get some live and some dead and let nature take it's course?

[ErikH]

Let nature take it's course. Sounds like this is the hobby for you. Patience will bring success!

[Pennies2Cents]

Let nature take it's course. Sounds like this is the hobby for you. Patience will bring success!

Very well said.

Welcome to Maast Rick. :applause:

[allan]

Be sure you do go with a drilled tank. Don't be lured by a cheaper alternative like an overflow sump. They are more prone to losing its siphon which will result to an immediate water change and a lot of mopping.

I would recommend the sump with fuge over those trickle filter setups, JMO though. Once you have these two things figured out, and plumbed, you need to turn your attention to lighting. In my opinion there are really only two choices, either T5 (my favorite) or Metal Halide. Even if you decide to go fish only I would plan on being able to convert later to reef lighting. It's hard to limit your tank to only fish when you see all the zoas and bright corals out there.

Oh yeah and the skimmer advice mentioned above is golden! If you purchase new get the best you can find, ask around. There are more skimmers with more varieties between MFRs than there are cars on the highway.

I'm a newby myself and have went through some growing pains as well... doubtless you will as well. Stay the course and go into it knowing that you will be spending a lot of money. I tell my friends that I've only spent a couple bills on my setup... wife always rolls her eyes and calls BS on that. I've spent a good deal more (and I mean a GOOD DEAL MORE) than I had expected to earlier.

Recommendation to the BOD, establish a support group for those addicted to reefing :) Signs of addiction would be loss of weight and hoarding dollars for that next frag....

[uriah]

I have an overflow on my 55G and everything is fine. The only time the syphon would break (never has for me) is if you have a air in it to start, also weak return pump that cant keep pressure on the syphon. I agree best to go with a drilled tank, but overflow can work well...


Be sure you do go with a drilled tank. Don't be lured
by a cheaper alternative like an overflow sump. They are more prone to losing its siphon which will result to an immediate water change and a lot of mopping.

[Kristy]

All good advice above, especially about doing your research up front and taking your time! We had overflows at first and never had any problems, but we're sure glad we upgraded to a drilled tank and would never go back! There is the potential for problems with an overflow drain that the drilled tank does not have. And the second golden rule of reefing is: If it can go wrong, sooner or later it will (and probably while you are on vacation!)

By the way, the first golden rule, as mentioned above, is: "Only bad things happen when you rush."

Finally, the comments about lighting are definitely accurate that you really only need to choose between metal halide (MH) lighting and T5s. I would go one further for you... with a 55 gallon tank, you absolutely WILL NOT be disappointed if you look around for a decent set of 48" T5 reflectors and ballast. Then you have so many options with the colors of bulbs to play with. You'll get gorgeous colors, good growth, no problems with heat. There are good quality, reasonably priced used T5 setups for sale all the time! Truly this is the very best option for you with this tank and you won't have to run right out and upgrade.

Welcome to MAAST, don't be shy about asking questions, and happy reefing to you!
-Kristy

[rickrutland]

Thanks to all.... more questions coming later