Hello and Newbie Question

Hi All,

I am in the research phase of our first salt tank. My previous tank was a 27 gallon HEX that we had for over 20 years that sprung a leak and I had to take it down. It was fresh only and was really in need of replacement. We knew we wanted to keep having a tank so looked at tank styles and chose a 36g Bow Front. After getting the tank we then started thnking about doing salt. The tank is still in the box at this point.

Not knowing what all was involved with Salt we went to a LFS to ask and begin to understand what's involved. In that discussion it was recommended that the 36g we have is probably too small for a beginner tank as it is less forgiving when mistakes are made. Our space is not large, but we felt we could go up to a 65g size which they indicated would be a good starting size. I also had them put together a listing of initial eqpment list that I would need so that I understood that piece and ultimately cost.

The list Included:
Tank (drilled)
Tank stand with canopy
Sump filter with bio balls
Overflow accessories kit
Skimmer
Aquarium pump (715gph)
250 Watt Heater
36" LED Light (My Request as I really like the look and want to use with whatever tank we choose)
Digi Thermometer
Current/Wave pump
Salt Water
Live Sand
Live Rock (65lbs)
And some hoses

I would appreciate any thoughts and comments on the above or in general thoghts on getting started.

Scott

 

Cut the bio-ball sump, get a refugium. What is the LED? You will want a VERY good skimmer, Reef Octo, SWC, ATB all good brands. You might want 80+ pounds of LR. Other than that looks good. You'd be fine a 36, many begin with smaller tanks.

 

Welcome to 3reef

 

Thanks for the reply!

In my research there doesn't seem to be q consistent preference on bio all, carbon, sock, fuguim, etc. Why do you not recommend bioball filter?

The skimmer recommended was the ASM G1-X. Thoughts?

The LED I was referring to was the Marineland LED light for the tank.

LED Light

Scott

 

Bioballs are for biological filtration only. Live rock performs this and goes one step further than the bioballs, it reduces nitrate to nitrogen. The bioballs will require constant maintenance to keep them from creating nitrate problems in your tank. Socks work the same way as bioballs for nitrate issues but are m ore of a help for suspended particle removal.

Skimmer is fine for your tank, the light may not work well for SPS coral and clams.

 

Yeah, but I'd take a drilled 65 over a 36 non-drilled in about a hundred different ways.

The 65 reef ready tank is a really nice one.

 

I have the same LED light in my sump, it won't be enough light for your tank to gow certin things. The one I have you have to manually switch from full light to the blue night light. It was a pain the first 3 weeks I had it till my light got here. Now I just keep it on 24/7 in my sump. The best thing I got for my tank was the protien skimmer, phosphate reactor, and light system. I wouldn't skimp on the light or filtration bc they are 2 key elements in your system.