could use some help

so i resently purchased a 75 gallon tank with the intent of setting up a freshwater aquarium...after going to the local petstore aquarium i was convinced to do a saltwater reef setup. after a litle reaserch when i got home i learned i was suckered into buying a bunch of stuff i dont need. ie. a magnum charcoal canister filter etc....about the only thing i needed that they sold me was the salt, sand, and the saltmeter thing. needless to say im takeing most the crap back. so wich me to my delema, i would really like to do a reef setup. i have glass tank with no pre drilled holes or anything for a sump, and i have a canopy deal that completely encloses the tank it dose have a couple access holes (came with tank). the stand is smaller. dont like the clutter of a bunch of hoses and crap hanging in the tank, so i want to do things a efficeintly as possible, and do it right. so what i need to know is there any setup for a reef tank that meets what i need? thank for any input.

 

For starters, the canopy hood is useless- You'll definitely need better lighting. Also, the easiest way to set up a sump is with a drilled tank. It wouldn't be that hard to do that (or have it done) while the tank is still empty. Here are some links to give an idea of what you can use, and how to set things up.

Saltwater Aquariums, About Saltwater Aquarium fish, Reef Tanks, Saltwater, Marine Fish, Corals, Invertebrates marine saltwater aquarium fish

DeepSandBeds

Chuck's Addiction

Hope this helps.

 

What's wrong with an overflow?

 

idk?

 

An overflow box can be used, rather than drilling. I'm using one myself, as I set up the sump as an afterthought, nearly three years after the tank was stocked. However, some people swear against them, especially the U-tube type, because it can lose it's prime and overflow the DT if not set up and run properly. Just something to consider when buying and installing the unit.

 

First of all take your time and do it right. This may take a while to set up but you'll be happier when it's done. If you went to the store to get a fresh water setup and ended up with a salt water setup then that would lead me to believe that you don't know what it intails to go salt water reef. Bring everything back! Read up on what you will need and then get the right products from the start or realize this isn't for you financially or if you don't have the time it takes to get started. With that said, I would buy a predrilled tank, a sump/refugium, proper pumps and powerheads, either T5 lighting or HQI metal haliodes or combo, live rock and live sand, water test kits, buckets and empty new gas cans for lugging RO water. With these things you can start a reef tank from here you need to read and I mean read a lot. Read here at 3reef and buy some books on fish and coral. Take at least 3-6 months before you start. Check all sources for best prices. I bought my lighting on ebay only after I knew exactly to the fraction of an inch what size I needed. Learn about flow (pumps & powerheads) and the importance of it, lighting and how many watts you need, sand and how much of a sandbed do you want. When your've go everything you need on paper add it up and decide if it's for you. One thing is for certain it is extremely gratifying when your done.
http://reefcorner.com/reef keeping_101.htm