newbie taking over an established tank HELP

Hello everyone, I'm new to all this, and am about to buy my first tank. Its an already established tank thats been doing fine for about 3 years now, according to the current owner. This is a 37 gallon system with a 250w metal halide light fixture with two 45w actinic compact flourescents and moon lights. there are 2 Hydor Koralia power heads and one regular power head. As well as a Renafilstar XP2. The tank has approx. 45 lbs of live rock and 60 lbs of live sand, a few hermits, some snails, 1 cinnamon clown, 1 three striped damsel, and a purple lobster named Prince. (package deal) This is going to be a trial-by-fire learning experience and along with the tank I plan on picking up numerous books. My question for you all is, how well set up is this tank, in your opinions? What else should I look into buying to make it more harmonious and easily maintained? I've read the stickies in the beginner section, and have done as much research as I could do in the last couple days, but I thought I'd get straight to the point and ask you all what I should know and/or keep in mind. thank you all in advance for any help you can offer.

Colby

 

a pic would help a ton, but sounds like a decent set up, keep reading and reading did the massive sandbed get disturbed when moved?

 

sorry, I meant to add them with the last post. The tank still has yet to be moved...I'm debating on dumping the sand, bucketing the water, rocks & livestock, and rebuilding when I get it home (2 hours away from current location) or do you think that would be a waste of time?..

the guy's asking $300 but has to have it gone within the week, so I'm thinking he'd take $250 if i handed it to him. the reason for selling is he's moving across the country to california.

 

there was recently an awesome thread posted about moving a tank, trying to find it.

 

sweet buy. 8)

 

http://www.3reef.com/forums/general-reef-topics/complete-guide-moving-fish-tank-135074.html

I plan on moving in the next couple years myself and subscribed to it if that is the one you are referring to cosmo

Sounds like a good deal though just make sure you have text kits and test very often after moved since the possibility of mini cycles if high. Keep some Prime on hand in case the ammonia levels spike and a nice batch of fresh SW for WC in case of emergency. Also doesnt look like there are any corals or anemones am I right?? If so then thats ok but if there are make sure the bulbs on those lights are good, if I recall the 37gallon tank is a deeper tank and would need the strong lighting he has but make sure you ask him how old all the bulbs are so you know if they need replaced. If you have no corals than no need to worry as long as algae doesnt become and issue

 

The moving guide should give you a very good idea of what to do, but if you have any questions, feel free to PM me and I will answer any extra questions you have.

 

Very sweet buy! Actually looks pretty new, judging from the looks of the rock/tank walls. Looks clean Good luck on the move and keep us posted.

 

this helped SO much!! thanks a million! And go Steelers!!!

one question to whomever, What steps should I take to keep this tank clean? I'm looking at protein skimmers, but would I HAVE to have a sump? Its kinda a smaller tank after all...

 

I do not have a sump on my 46gallon but wish I did, the more water the better ALWAYS (except if purchasing expensive dosing chemicals but usually you dont treat a DT). They also allow you to hide a lot of pumps and other equipment that otherwise you will see in the DT such as heaters, protein skimmers, any sort of filters, etc. With a sump the only equipment in the main tank would be the powerheads and the intake and return from the sump. Is it needed, no not really, but it is nice to have and I will have one on my next tank for sure.

Keeping it clean is another issue. A mag float for the sides to scrub some algae is very helpful but the majority of your filtration will be the sand and liverock. When moving the tank make sure the liverock stays submerged in water around the proper temps so it stays alive. The sand you can either leave it in the tank when moving with jsut enough water to cover it and keep it live or what I would do would be to take a couple cups and keep them alive with the liverock and add new sand when set up. Then just spread the cup of old livesand over the new sand. After that the use of skimmers, fuges, and filters is very specific to each tank. The most important thing is to remember to clean any filter material often so it doesnt become a waste factory. Dont leave that canister filter going for months on end without cleaning, should be done once a week or so prob.