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! ::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.