New saltwater guy starting a 46G tank

Hello 3reef!!! I'v been lurking here for a few weeks and have learned a lot of valuable information. I decided to start posting and begin my journey into saltwater aquariums.

I bought a 46 gallon bow front tank at a garage sale and it cleaned up really nicely. other than a few scratches it looks really good. It didn't come with a stand or a hood but the way i understand it I don't need the hood to keep coral. i need better lighting then the single florescent light can provide.

I plan on starting with a FOWLR set up and adding some softies and maybe some SPS coral down the road if all goes well. the one thing I don't want to do is buy a bunch of equipment now just to find out 6 months from now that my lighting isn't good enough or whatever.

Well, back to lurking while i try to find/build a stand for my future saltwater tank!

 

Hello and welcome.

The buy now upgrade later is a pretty debated topic (with lighting specifically). Lighting is definitely debated, however with your targetted interest being SPS I would say spend the extra money and get a good high quality lighting fixture. Ideally your looking for a fixture that has individual reflectors for each bulb. Same goes for your filtration (with a protien skimmer being preferred as well). SPS likes good lighting and good filtration.

However it sounds like you're definitely on the right track and doing the research before buying.

 

Welcome to 3reef.

 

Hello and welcome to 3reef

 

Hello and welcome to the 3reef fam. Remember to follow the motto, "Go slow, let it grow."

 

Welcome to 3reef

 

Welcome!! I would say you need to sink your money into your lighting, and then your skimmer. IMO those are the things you don't want to skimp on ever. If you buy the best lights and the best skimmer you will save money long term because you won't need to "upgrade" as much of your stuff. Best of luck, you are in the best place to get high quality info, and kind quick responses here on 3reef!
Heidi

 

Welcome I'm new too,hope you enjoy it here,I also got a 46 bf that I'm just starting with.

 

Welcome to the reef.

I agree with everything stated before. Lighting is the #1 need for any tank that contains corals, unless the corals are all non-photosynthetic. Skimmer is by far the most important thing for any tank, freshwater included. Always buy a skimmer that is rated higher than your tank, as you can never over skim. One other note I would add, is prior to getting any corals do you research on each of those and make sure you have adequate spacing for them. In fact, do that research now. That way you aquascape you tank correctly, giving you spots for corals that don't enjoy flow as much as others, and vice versa. SPS typically like flow so make sure you have the appropriate pumps and/or circulation system for that if you plan on adding them eventually.

 

Plus 1! and like I have mentioned in other posts only put coral in your tank you want there LONG term. Throw out all you know about beginner coral. If your tank is stable, cycled and has great flow and low nutrients and you want an sps tank, then skip the leathers and shrooms an add the sps frags when you are ready. Just a thought, you don't have to run a tank for 2 years before adding what you really want.
Heidi