help on aquarium setup???

you "could" use a HOB filter and HOB skimmer but you'll have a bunch of equipment hanging off the back and your even more limited by the available HOB filters/skimmers out there.

if you're going to build your own setup (which IMO is better and more educational whereas the biocube is plug'n'play) id go with the other recommendation of the 30gal tank with seperate tank for the sump. id spend some time researching various setups and determine which you're comfortable with.

for some people the building and designing of the tank is part of the fun and for others they dislike the extra work involved and want quick results and just go buy a prebuilt setup. im a fan of do-it-yourself projects.

to start with for equipment beside the 30gal display and sump you'll need to figure out the following:

- return pump: reference the thread i linked earlier on sumps and pumps
- overflow: method for getting the water from the display tank to the sump if the tank you get is not pre-drilled with a built-in overflow
- lighting: this is a big one - you'll really want to research this. you'll need to decide your long term goal for the tank and if it includes keeping SPS corals you'll need some powerful lighting. if you're just going with fish only and perhaps some softies you wont need as powerful of a light setup
- skimmer: also important, you'll want to get a skimmer based on your bioload you intend to have in the tank. so if its going to be a overstocked 30gal tank or perhaps a understocked 30gal tank it changes the type of skimmer you'll need. all skimmers have a different size and footprint they take up so you'll need to factor that into the sump design

everyone here can help with whatever questions you have. over the last year ive learned more here on this site with these people and reading everyones posts than i have reading a store bought book on reef keeping.

 

well said

 

DONT GET A BIOCUBE!!! they are a pain in the @ss to clean the sides,especually the rounded corners. the sides are easy to scratch also. Also ime its hard to get a rockwork you like becuase its squar and more deep than it is long,also jmo some ppl like them and fortunatly(dont no how to spell srry) im not one of them.

 

I concur.

If you are handy you can build a stand and canopy, which can be modified. I wish I had more room or a proper sump/fuge combo.

 

yes its acrylic, can be scratched, but so can glass if not cleaned properly. just be careful when you're cleaning it. ive not seen any scratched up biocubes personally, but then they're all using non abrasive tools to clean them and a good clean-up-crew. correction, i did see one, but it was because they had a LIZARD in it, but that doesnt really apply here because we're talking about water in it

i do agree that you'll have more room to work with inside of a standard 30gal tank than a biocube setup.

 

Thanks guys, I'll keep researching and let you know the outcome...

 

Wait, what? Why do you think the BioCube is acrylic? I bought the 14g like 5 days ago and it's definitely glass.

 

+1 I was questioning the myself, but since the only ones I have around are in the box and i don't feel like reading them i did not post a reply about it.

 

You've come to the right place, the only thing we like better than helping folks out is pictures

OH yeah, before I forget....




For those of you joining us that are new to the hobby - the best piece of advice you'll get around here as a saltwater newbie is 3Reef's slogan
"Go slow, let it grow."
And for those experianced hobbyists joining us - it's still good advice
good luck and post pics soon

 

im sitting right next to a oceanic biocube 14 that was purchased sept 09. the tanks definitely made of acrylic