New to the hobby and need basic help

Let's start from the begining, I'm not new to fish but I'm new to sw I have a 30 gallon fw tank and recently came into a 55 gallon tank with a magnum under gravel filter that does 330 gph. What do I need to have a successful sw tank on a budget. I know I can't cut corners and I will spend some money on this but please telL me a good way to do a successful marine tnk and price range and I don't quite understand the point of a sump so can someone explain that and tell me some good skimmers and prices

 

http://www.3reef.com/forums/reef-aquarium-articles-how-tos/all-about-sumps-filters-fuges-79852.html

Is a VERY good write up on sumps and benefits, as far as skimmers go is this going to be a reef tank? or a fish only?

 

A Magnum UGF? Are you saying the canister filter runs a UGF, or did you mis-speak?

1. Lose the UGF, if you have it (hang on to the Magnum canister tho...good filters to have around).

2. I do advise getting a good book and start reading. The Conscientious Marine Aquarist by Bob Fenner is excellent, as is Advanced Marine Aquarium Techniques by Jay Hemdal. In fact, I'd get both.

The reason I suggest the books is that there are 1001 ways to set up a tank, and they all have their strengths and drawbacks. We could spend the next 20 years 'splaining tank setup to you and still not be finished.

As for a sump...they're "the way, the truth, and the light" IMHO. Once you go sump, you'll never want to go any other way. They boost your water volume, give you a place to put all the unsightly equipment you may have (heater, skimmer, etc), or you can run them as a refugium (with extra LR and/or live macroalgae), or as a combo sump/fuge.

It will also be helpful to consider the TYPE of tank you'll be keeping (FOWLR, reef (what type of corals?), FO, etc) so you can set up the tank with that in mind.

HTH

 

I want to do a reef tank but I need to know average price to do the whole shbang I'm trying to get it for as economic as possible without sacrificing quality

 

To be honest about the filter I don't know I don't have it in my possession yet I know it is a magnum and I believe she said it was a ugh so wht your saying is that I can take the under gravel part off and put what on it? I want a marine tank with coral but I need to know what the different requirements are for each one I have been looking at books and everything I'm just trying to ask you guys because I believe forums are a great help I think they are more informative than books most of the time so help pleaseeee

 

A sump increases water volume which makes maintaining the tank easier, also it makes more surface area for gas exchange in the water. Also another plus is you could run your skimmer, heater, etc which will give you more space in your display. And prices vary depending on how handy you are and whether you are open to used equipment or not. If you are handy/interested in used stuff I would say you could do everything for $500-600. But not everything needs to be purchased at once.

 

Yrea the under gravel part can be removed...most sw tanks are either sand or bare bottom so an under travel isn't very useful....the magnum can be run without
It and can just have an intake and return or however it will be set up

 

it's hard to ballpark. You can try to figure out how much you'll spend but there are always hidden costs and things you don't consider! I'd do some reading in the forums and figure out a list of what you want to buy.

I started a tank about 2 months ago, here's what I've bought so far off the top of my head:
You'll need good lights for a reef (LED, T5, or MH).
A sump (and all the necessary plumbing)
An overflow to get the water to the sump (you can go HOB or drilled)
Return pump to get the water back to the DT
Skimmer
Pumps for flow
Test kits
Sand
Rocks (base rock is cheaper than live rock)
Heater
RO/DI unit to make water
Salt (duh lol)

I was in over a grand before I bought my first fish. Craigslist is a good place to find used equipment at a good price. Like stated above if you're a DIY'er you can save a ton of money

 

Can you guys suggest a good skimmer and sump ideas

 

I personally would toss the underground filter and get a hang on back filter
You should also get 2 power heads for aeration and t5 lighting is good and not to expensive
I would also go with a submersible as a posed to a hang on back protien skimmer.
If your looking to save $ I wouldn't go with a sump

Also a nice refugium would be good to have with a small aeration to circulate