Newbies first tank!

Hi everyone! I finally decided to start a saltwater tank. I have kept freshwater tanks for a couple of years and wanted something different. I am completely new to the saltwater hobby. My question is where do I start? I Have a 55 gallon tank that is not drilled that I have been using to house a Flowerhorn. I am going to use this tank in my setup.

What equipment do I need to get started? Do I absoulutely need a sump or can I use a canister filter?

Im sorry for such a newbie questions but I want to do this right and be successful In my first saltwater tank. Im not going to lie its alittle overwhelming at first:

Thank you!

 

Welcome to SALT! I'll give you my tank setup! Low budget but effective!

90G Tank not drilled
Odyssea T5 light $130.00
Filter Marineland 350 and 2 Hot Magnums filled with crushed coral $150.00
3 Aqueon 950 powerheads $120.00
Aqueon 250w Heater $20.00
AquaC Remora skimmer with drain $250.00
3" sand $120.00
100lbs baserock 50lbs liverock with coraline algae $200.00 add a little at a time!
Salt, Test Kit, hydrometer
Find a good store in you area or order online save $$$$$$
Check out the Fishtank Doc on youtube GOOD INFO!!!!
Good Luck! Hope this helped!

 

Give this thread a good read or two.

http://www.3reef.com/forums/new-hobby/whats-important-successful-tank-108699.html#.U2jpOFccHIU

 

My advise is to start slow. Don't try to rush into buying a bunch of corals. My first time around I wasted a lot of money buying equipment to try to take care of the corals I shouldn't have bought in the first place. Starting with a stardard tank and trying to buy hang on back everything got expensive and I ran out of room. Not to mention all the electronics sticking out of the top of the tank was an eyesore to me.

Another pointer. By the time you buy all the equipment, livestock and accessories the tank is actually on the cheaper side of the equation. Do some more research and make sure you choose the tank you like to start with. This will save you time and money in the long run.

Be patient and try to learn as much as possible before you start buying a bunch of stuff.

Welcome to 3reef

 

First off, welcome to your new addiction!

A few pointers for a newbie to saltwater;

Don't rush anything, the only thing that happens quickly in saltwater is disaster.

I advise at least a 55g to start with because it will give you more wiggle room on parameters.

My first build I had all hang on the back equipment, my current build I have an overflow box and a remote sump. I would never recommend HOB to anyone after using a sump.

Craigslist is your friend!

I am all about buying from my LFS when I can support them, but I have found that Amazon usually has the best price and if you have prime you can usually find what you are looking for with free 2 day shipping. So if you are on a tight budget like me, Amazon can be your friend too!

Last but not least, the only stupid question is the one you don't ask! No one will make fun of you for any question you ask.

Welcome to 3Reef!

 

Thanks for the input! By no means am I going to rush into this. I want this to go as smoothly as possible. So im thinking maybe I should just save up for a drilled tank and do a sump.

So im thinking i will need-
55 or 75 gallon drilled tank
all items needed for the sump (tank,plumbing, pump, etc..)
Lighting
Protein skimmer??
Heater

Does this seem like a good place to start?

 

A 75 gallon drilled with a 30 gallon DIY refugium would be nice. Yes to a skimmer. LED's (though not yet on board with them) for the heat and electric value. (2) Jebao wp-25 with contoller for flow. Jebao DC6000 for a return pump.

 

^^+1

 

I would say look through craigslist. There are a lot of people that get out of the hobby every day. Most of the time you can find a whole set up for less. You can use your 55 to house what ever livestock comes with the aquarium on craigslist while you set up what you bought or if you find a good fish store sometimes they will hold livestock for you. At a cost to you of course. A friend of mine started with a 55 and a canister and is now looking for a 125G. Just thoroughly check the aquarium for sratches and leaks prior to any purchase. Just another way to look at it all.

 

I think your initial thoughts sound good. I agree that you can check craigs list and possibly some local forums in your area. I've seen a couple of full systems on our local forum that would have been awesome to have and at at least a third of the cost.