New 55G Tank, New To Hobby. O-boy Please help!

Thanks for coming to this thread . I have recently been remodeling my house, and I have a nook where I bought a 55G All Glass Aquarium Kit for. I knew that keeping this tank wasnt going to be easy, so I did some research and found out the key points (stabilizing the water, etc). Over the past few days, I gathered every thing I needed and I figured I will finally go shopping to get started. So here are a few of my questions, I couldnt really find any where;

1) If my room temp is around 80-85, will I need a chiller? And is there any cheaper alternatives, I saw chillers ran for about 300-500 dollars a piece :O

2) My aquarium kit came with a Whisper 60 Power Filer / with bio bags etc. Is this a sufficient filter? I read reviews and alot of them had thumbs up but they looked fabricated.

3) Is there any other equipment that I should get, like a powerhead? Is it necessary? SHOULD I buy it? If so what kind

4) Is a sump exactly necessary?

5) How easy is it to clean a SW tank. I am 110% willing to put in the effort, but I couldnt find out the steps to really clean a tank properly. I hear I should change 10% water every week or two. I also saw the petco (ugh) lady shaking up the gravel at the bottom, is this all I have to do? Will I have to scrub down the walls every week? (Please do not take this, as me going to slack down the road. I really want to start this the proper way, so Better to ask!)

6) I intend on starting a majority reef tank. Should I put the live rock, during the water cycling process? When should the coral go in?

THANK YOU. So much, I greatly appreciate all of your time and effort!

-mpcovcd

 

Hi and welcome to 3reef!
Glad you decided to get involved in the marine hobby...you won't be disappointed!
Now, to answer your questions:
A chiller is not necessary as you could use evaporational cooling that is possible with the use of a simple room fan blowing across the top of the tank water.

The Whisper filter is a good way of adding carbon to your tank, but you will need to purchase an efficient and effective protein skimmer for the best results. The best form of filtration will be through your protein skimmer(mechanical) and liverock and sand(biological)!!!!!

Powerheads are a nice way of increasing water flow within your tank. This function is beneficial for a number of reasons, such as eliminating dead spots where algae and detritus can accumulate. Removes waste and brings food to sessile inverts, corals etc.
You will have to play around with the number and size of the powerheads to ensure that you have the best scenario for your tank, as every aquarists tank is different so the number and size of the powerheads used for one person may not be ideal for the next, even with the same size tank!!!

Powerheads are nice because they are often less expensive(unless you plan on getting Tunze), but they take away from the ambiance of the tank unless you incorporate them into your rock work to conceal them and make your tank that much more realistic.

A sump and refugium are not necessary, but are both beneficial and enjoyable. Increased water volume and surface area, concealing of equipment, nursery for smaller fish and fry, inverts etc. and place for growing macroalgae and mangrove shoots. This is just a small list of the benefits of both sump and refugium.

The cleaning of the tank is fairly straight forward and easy! I would perform a water change once a week as you mentioned(5%-15% of total tank volume is all). Cleaning the algae and other growths off the glass is going to be necessary periodically as well accumulation of (Asterina Stars and spirobid worms) are most prevalent. As for the stirring up of the substrate, that isn't necessary, especially if you have benthic area cleaners such as Conch, Sea Cucumbers, Sleeper and Shrimp Gobies, Nassarius Snails, Red and Blue Leg Hermits and such to aerate and stir up the substrate somewhat.

Last question regarding cycling....It is best to add the live rock when you are performing your initial cycle for two reasons. First of all, it will help to start your cycling, especially if you use uncured rock. Secondly, if you add the live rock after the initial cycle, you will send your tank into a second cycle due to die off associated with the live rock you just placed into your tank!!!!!!

As you probably noticed by now, their are quite a few things that you need to address and be aware of for the best possible success for you and your tankmates. I have just touched the surface with key topics that you will need to be able to answer from time to time as you will experience numerous events over the course of your journey with a marine aquarium. Reading, researching and spending time on 3reef will help you ten fold in becomming a successful and conscientious aquarist!!!!
Best of luck!!!
TOM

 

Welcome to 3Reef>>>>> Awesome info reefer......

 

I didnt read CR's post(too long) but Im sure he gave you great advice. Try reading through this site, its very helpful and may also answer any of your Q's now and later. Saltwater Aquarium Setup Guide Luna

Btw, welcome to 3reef, and you came to the right place, trust me.

 

Welcome to 3reef. Nuff said by Coral Reefer. Never stop asking questions and have fun with the hobby. Read, Read, Read, Ask Ask, Ask!!!

 

Thank you guys, for such great advice - epically coral reefer! I have a very serious maintainence question tho, after going to my PetKare just a few mins ago, I got really worried. I am putting this tank in my Family Room, so I would like it to look nice! At the PetKare and the tank of corals was utter hideous, the glass was covered by these pink spots every where.

Also I have heard that it just takes one time to mess every thing up. Like if I have an algebloom (First timer here), I hear it can get costly to fix every thing back. And coral isnt cheap @ 50.00 or more!

So in the end should I stick with a saltwater, or freshwater? I really would like saltwater, but I'm worried about costs and the obvious dangers of messing up an expensive rig. Will I run into the same problems with a freshwater rig?

Thanks so much!

 

I would love to answer that Q for you, but thats your decision. Anyways, my answer would be biased. Those pink spots are called coraline, which is a good thing. I think that you should do lots more research before you start your SW journey. This hobby is very expensive and demands patience and disciplined maint. As I stated earlier, visit this site, as it will educate you on the SW world. Saltwater Aquarium Setup Guide Luna

 

Good luck...

Keep us posted. We all love seeing a new tank going up.

Remember:

Learn to Live With It
Adam Blundell M.S.

"...As surprising as it may seem your tank will look ugly at first. This happens to all new marine aquariums as they cycle through their initial filtration phase. Your tank may go brown, and then green, and then red, and then just look junky. It happens. Consequently the one coral you really want to keep may not live. You may struggle to raise the prize fish you originally intended to acquire. It's okay; just learn to love whatever is working for you. Remember, not only is this a hobby, but we are keeping living ecosystems. Special efforts should be put forth to enjoy and appreciate what we are keeping, whatever it may be. It takes time and patience to turn a glass box full of rock into a beautiful, thriving reef tank..."

and,

The Tao of Marine Aquaria
Tips for Our Hobby and Life
Adam H. Whitlock

 

that's a question noone can answer but yourself. I will tell you, I just had a tank crash and lost several nice, expensive, fish that I have grown to love. They were pets to me. I am getting ready to build this tank back up. Even though it's costing me an arm and a leg, it is well worth it to me. I have a FW tank also and believe me, it isn't near as rewarding in my book. The best way to save money in this hobby though is research and ask questions on this forum before you buy ANYTHING. Those of us who have "been there and done that" will save you a ton of money. I promise.

 

It all depends on the type of problem or problems that you encounter that determines the extent of the cost and livestock lost. The time needed to remedy and correct the problem also comes into play.
Algae blooms are all part of the initial tank set-up and maturing process with much of the algae diminishing as fast as it arrived.
Nutrient reduction along with phosphate and nitrate control will aid in this dilemna regarding algae control.
Costs and dangers(error) involved with a marine aquarium can also be evident in a tropical and African Rift environment. Taking the initial steps to read, prepare, learn and plan before hand will make a big difference in your overall result and factor in to whether or not you will be successful or not!
If you are confident and prepare yourself, their is no reason for you not to be able to enjoy all the glory, wonder, amazement and beauty of a saltwater aquarium as so many other aquarists have around the world!
Of course you will have set backs, and if anyone has ever said that they haven't, they are lying! Set backs and mistakes are part of the learning curve of life, but if you are able to overcome these odds and become a better aquarist as a result of these set backs, it will only make you stronger and a more knowledgeable aquarist.