New here..very little experience...HeLp!

I am new to the site and I just acquired a 55 gallon tank. I am looking into the saltwater world. The have such awesome colors and I love just watching em swim. I know I have lots of research to do. I am trying to find information on skimmers and sumps. A refuge? whats that do? Sooooo many questions!! Also, the tank was freshwater with piranhas before, and now I want to do saltwater, is there a special way I should clean it out?
Thanks to all for help!!

 

Mix distilled white vinegar with water (50/50) and use that to clean out the tank. Completely safe.

 

Skimmers: Produce Micro bubbles inside and then bubble over into a collection cup and turn into a dark greensish liquid which is called Skimmate. Skimmers help remove dissolved organics..DEFI a plus on the equipment side, i would get one if i were you.

Sumps:They will create your water volume larger and hide your equipment from your DT and a you can put a refugium in them.

Refuge/refugium: A refugium is something to help pull out nitrates and provide nutrients for tanks. It will help with cultivated copepods(Small animals that live in the tank) for fish food and also if you ever want one, a manderin goby.

As for cleaning, what he said above is the best way.

 

What would be an appropriate sump size for my tank? A 10 Gallon or a 20? The bigger the better? Do I need to drill my tank for any of this to work? or can I just have everything come over the side of the tank?

 

What are the dimensions of the stand (on the inside)? I had a 55 and couldn't even fit a 10g under it as the stand was a half inch too narrow. This could be your limiting factor as to what size sump you can use.

You can either drill, or use a HOB (hang on back) overflow. I use a HOB overflow (eShopps PF-300) on my 38g tank and have had zero issues over a 2 1/2 year period.

 

when i first started saltwater it confused the crap out of me. i didnt understand the cycle beneficial bacteria sumps refugiums skimmers. and especially lighting needs for certain sessile inverts. you just need to keep researching and eventually just bite the bullet and start the tank. you need to be very patient. when i first started i woukld literally spend hours on end just googling certain aquarium terms. also usually you can get good tips and help from your lfs if they are reliable.

 

the stands probably fine, i had a previous 40 gallon tank and i had a 29 gallon sump underneath it.

 

I use all HOB equipment on my 49 gallon and its the same, I have never had an issue. That being said you CAN drill your tank, it will certainly give it a clean look. I am getting ready to drill my 100 gallon acrylic. and the best practice for saltwater is patients! Everything can turn to disaster in the blink of an eye but good things take time just remember to read, read, read! And ask any questions you might have! Remember, the only dumb question is the one NOT asked And welcome to 3Reef!

 

Hello and welcome to 3reef

 

Welcome to 3 reef, Slenhart

hot water and vinegar as suggested above is the method I have used with most sucess for cleaning freshwater and in fact salt water set ups, prior to re starting them

Steve