Help for a newbie please

[uriah]

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

[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.

[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