My first Saltwater tank

So I have been looking around and I see other members aquariums and they have a ton of items in the sumps. I am planning on putting the skimmer, obviously the return pump and the heater in the sump. For the first few months after the cycle I am planning on running it as a FOWLR, then add better lighting and and some corals. I see some people running multi stage sumps as well as refugiums (sp?). Is this a necessity or an option?

I'm not very happy with my aqua scaping and I think I am going to rearrange my LR tonight. I let my wife do it when i first put the rock in and I'm just not happy with it.

 

The refugium is an option, as much in this hobby is. It does help with filtration and to balance the system. It also gives you a place for the things you may want or need and do not want them in your display tank (DT). I do not have a fuge (refugium) on my current setup, but I will have one on anything I do from here on out.

Just make sure that if your plan is to keep corals you research your fish for the FOWLR, it would suck to have fish not reef compatible when you wanted to switch over.

Your plans sound good and like you have a great start!

 

What you have planned for the sump sounds just fine. What other members are doing with thier sumps is mostl likely putting macro algae and other things in there that they don't want in their DT.

 

The first 2 fish are going to be clown fish and other than that I have no plans. But when i have looked at fish reef safe is one of the items I am looking for. I have a lot to learn before I start into corals. the whole doping thing has me baffled, but I'm not that far into it yet.

 

In this hobby, everything can get very overwhelming if you just jump right into. As far as dosing, everyone has their own way of doing it and what works best for them, but that is because every system is different and has different requirements. Just contiune to take your time and do your research and you should be successfull. ;D

 

Pretty sure you meant dosing, I hope. My current 55g has never had a dose of anything other than some phytoplankton and that's not even necessary. Water changes will keep up with most demands of beginners corals. I have 2- Favia, Goniopora, Frogspwan, GSP, and some shrooms. Get the test kits and start keeping an eye on everything now, to get used to the routine IMO is your best bet.

 

So other than the normal pH, salinity, Nitrites, Nitrates, and Ammonia what else should I be looking at?

 

I think that has you covered during the cycle. Afterwards, you can get a phosphates test, although you'll know if you have those because you'll be seeing algae if you do lol. For corals I think mag, calcium, and alk are important things to test

 

+1 agreed!

 

Cool thanks guys! I rearranged my rock tonight and I am much happier with it now.