How to setup a saltwater aquarium

Did I just read this correctly??

"Also pick up some Styrofoam. Enough to line between the tank and the stand. This will level the tank in case it is not level once everything is put in the tank."

I hope he's talking about acrylic tanks??? NO, NO & a thousand times NO on a glass tank! You run a HIGH risk of cracking it or making it unstable...

 

Nice write up. Thanks for sharing.

 

Yeah, that had me screaming at the screen too.

 

i think the read was good i could have actually read more, but i am a newbie i have been reading for the last 2 weeks and sourcing my stuff i have actually found my supplier for my rock it is dry rock (im assuming) and you seed this rock with a couple small peices of live rock takes longer than most are willing to wait but i have time and patients since i cant afford to drop my wallet for a turn key tank i will get essentials and then when everything is good ill get my lights and we will see what happens after this, at this time i have a rough estimate of not having any thing more than a fake clown fish and a cleaner crew for a year or so after that i will decide what route to take (fish only or reef) in a year or so

 

I just recently join the 3reef community today and also have just started a little 1 gallon reef tank. And have found this article very informative and helpfull to the start of my little project, thanks to the author of this im already loving this fourm.;D

 

that is basically what i have been doing since I can't afford a turn key tank either. for my new tank I have been buying a piece with every paycheck. I'm down to my last piece and I am dying to put water in the damn thing already.

And you can save a ton of money if you plan the tank out prior. Don't upgrade to a reef later because re-buying better equipment stings a little.

Also if you have patience try your hand at some DIY stuff it is a lot of fun (god im a geek) and can save you a ton of money while it educates you about the purpose of the system youre developing.

 

Thank you for this informative write up! I am a previous fresh water aquarist and upon a trip to a LFS, my wife and I got the salt water bug. So I have since drained and rehomed (to a LFS) all the tropical fish in my 72G bowfront. Since then, all i've been doing is research and a ton of reading. Oh, and I am new to 3reef. Signed up today.

Currently I have My tank (not drilled) yet. Bought a sump, for a steal! It was 70% off asking price . I have a T5 light, a 5 gal of instant reef sea salt and a 25# bag of coral which I plan to add to the living substrate which I will purchase once I get my tank drilled. (Been doing research on wether or not my glass is tempered). Im currently on the hunt for a skimmer and sump pump. Well I didin't mean to hijack the thread, but certainly apreciate any and all advise. Thank you again for the timely post.

 

A sump and refugium are requirements from the beginning in my opinion.

M

 

I'd prefer to call their absence "future regrets".

 

Damn, couldn't have said it better myself.