Intro

Well hello. I'm really not new to the hobby, but new to 3reef. Started out a few years back with a 10 gallon tropical tank in my dorm room. Decided to upgrade later to a 30 gallon to do a community tank and then started messing with cichlids. After becoming infatuated, I upgraded again to a 75 gallon and did a mixed cichlid tank that was successful (had a few fry). I'm currently buying a new house and want a fresh start. Took all my cichlid to the LFS and looking to start my first salt water tank.

My goal is a reef tank with a few fish, but I've decided to take it slow by starting with FOWLR tank until I hunt down the light system and sump setup that would fit my needs. Since I'm new on this side of the hobby, I definitely want to start with a LED system and soft corals (once things get going).

Looking forward to learning more and will start posting progression pictures around New Years. If anyone have any suggestions or recommendations on beginner coral or great equipment, please feel free to post them so I can add it to my research list .

Cheers

 

Welcome to 3reef! Your idea of starting off slow is great. Honestly, slower the better. The more time you spend reading and researching, the better.

 

reefbreeders

OR

2 of hese reefbreeders

 

Welcome to 3reef.

 

Welcome to 3reef!
I am ordering reef breeder lights for my new tank in my new house as well
This will be third tank and first not nano tank so that is what I would recommend
I have used all LEDs and have kept soft corals and LPS without any problems I am looking to try some SPS in this new tank

Keep us updated

 

welcome to 3reef! You are going to love the salt side of the hobby. It's actually quite addicting.

 

Thanks for the warm welcomes and recommendations. Found an old picture of my cichlid tank (before it was completed ).


On to salt water business. I've been researching sumps. Already starting to see conflicting info. What's a proper rule for thumb for sumps. I know, the bigger you can fit/afford, the better. However, I'm more of a want<need. When I cross reference hobbyist recommendations vs. manufactures rating, which one to hold more weight?
The issue: The manufactures selling the product could inflate numbers a bit and on the other side, some die hard hobbyist overkill on some things and don't give the most accurate recommendations.
Example: X-brand rate up to 100 gallons but web site and/or hobbyist rate it up to 50 gallon.

 

In general, your sump should be 1/2 the size if your display tank. So something around 40 gallon should work for you.

 

Saltwater is the most addicting thing I've ever been involved with (this covers "experimenting" in my college years as well). You'll find on here that most people are on the same page as far as getting the right information to you. I look at it like chess. You need to be thinking a few moves ahead in order to plan your next move!

 

Filtration: Right now, I'm looking at getting an Eshopps 2nd Generation Refugium R-100 or the Berlin Sump BS-1.

From my gathering, the sump will suffice with my goal for my first sw tank. Only planning on sticking with the easy stuff (mushroom coral, zoanthids, toadstool, frogspawn and 3-5 fish. Less maintenance and cost compared to a refugium.

The refugium have a few extra benefits over the sump. Nutrients, safe haven for pods, and will practically eliminate nitrates. Is it needed, no... but definitely a want. Might go for the sump and try a refugium on a bigger setup down the road.

*SN: I've been reading up on in-tank refugiums. Does anyone have experience with having one in their sump and notice an improvement?