New saltwater set up

I am starting my first saltwater tank after several years experience with a smaller (29 gallon) planted freshwater tank. Feels like i am starting all over again as a newbie in a new hobby.

We have recently purchased a 48 x 24 x 24 120 gallon tank. My husband is going to build the stand for our set up but before he starts I have to figure out what equipment I am going to store below the aquarium inside the stand so he can build it the appropriate size, etc.

After researching, I am thinking I want to do a refugium/sump set up below the tank with the protein skimmer, heater, etc. located below to keep the show tank as beautiful as possible. However, this is where all gets confusing. I am trying to reseach a good complete set up to purchase. I was thinkikng for my first set up trying to build the refugium DIY might be a little more than I could handle. Is there anyone out there than can help me with suggestions for equipment I will need (dependable brands, etc.) for not only the refugium, but protein skimmers, power heads and the like? I learned the hard way from the freshwater set up that it is MUCH easier to take my time to find exactly what i want rather than try and make changes down the road if I can at all help it.

I welcome any and and all suggestions as we try and make this adventure a bit more well thought out!

Thanks!

 

Since your husband is building the stand tell him to reinforce the upper front brace so that a center support will not be required. That way you can swing open the doors and easily slide in a sump/refugium in without any obstacles.

As for a sump, depending on how much you want to pay, you could use a 20 gallon long aquarium and make your own wet/dry box or you could buy the whole thing premade for about $240 like the one that Megaflow sells. Of all the ones I have seen that one appears to be the best. I just use the 20 gal tank myself. Aquarium Filtration: All-Glass Aquarium MegaFlow Sump Filter Wet/Dry Filter

I also recommend the Red Sea Berlin Classic for a Protein Skimmer along with a Mag Drive 7 pump. That works extremely well for me.

 

Like mentioned above use a good front front brace to have dual opening door's The center brace is a real pain. 2x4 with 2x4 jack studs on either side of the door frame opening will be plenty to hold the main tank plus will make a good solid backing for the door's hinges . Now I'd use at lest a 20 maybe even a 30 Gal. would be better for a sump and that way you will have plenty of room or for the future refugium in the cabinet . Also that will hold any fuge excess water also just in case ? And a 10 or 15 gallon tank is all you need to have for a fuge most way way over size them.. I have seen people us a 75 gallon fuge on a smaller then 75 gal main tank LOL. But there should be no problem with any overflowing issues ever and plenty of room i the sump for the skimmer and that R/S Berlin would be fine for the tank also.. As for the wet dry if you choose that way you can order a custom sized acrylic bio tower to fit what ever you choose.
Its not so much about brans and how much they cost its more about how its put together and how it works

As for any help sure there are plenty of people who can help you and if you need ? Just let me know I'll get you any custom stuff you want or may need if none others can or want to..Or atleast point you in the right direction. Not a problem

 

The other little bit of random advice I can give is to let your tank cycle COMPLETELY before adding anything. I was impaitent and didn't wait for my levels to drop completly and I've been fighting random nitrite/amonia problems almost constantly. And don't use a damsel to cycle your tank. Their little terrors to any other fish you add after them and their hard to kill. When I worked at the LFS there was a lady who got a damsel (we didn't sell them) for her first fish and it killed anything else she added afterwards. But since it was her first fish she was sentimental about it and wouldn't take it out of the tank. Anyways, just my 2 cents. Sounds like your on the right track gathering information before diving in

 

Thank you all for your suggestions. They really do help.

I have searched and searched for refugiums online, and am not finding much to choose from. I guess most people build their own. If I were to make my own refugium for this 120 gallon tank, are there recommendations on how to go about doing that? My tank is not a drilled tank, but was also thinking about having that done. What are people's recommendations about drilled tanks vs. non-drilled tanks and is there something to be watchful for if I have the tank drilled?

Any links for DIY refugiums or for existing units for purchase would be appreciated!

 

I was gonna post this in the "Sump" section but I just bought this sump kit on ebay. Basicaly you take an existing 10 gallon tank (in your case a 55 gallon would work) and with this kit you make the setup anyways you want it. The guy sells the partitions precut and all you have to do is place them. I'm sure I'm not explaining it well but here's a link to the seller's ebay store. He also sells knock offs of the Mega Flow, CPR, Ecosystem sumps for much, much cheaper. Here's the link:

eBay Store - refugium: aquarium sump, wet dry filter, reef

I personally went this route cause I don't trust myself to cut glass or plexiglass in a straight line I should get it in the mail in a few days so If you want I'll let you know the quality. Hope this helps!!