wat would u do as a set up?

ok so excuse my spelling well iw ant to start a salt water reef/fish tank i was given a 20 gal sump but i dont noe wat else id need for the sump be sides a pump and the ods and ends well i was thinking craigs list and i found some good deal but is it really worth it 2 start out with a 55 g like my lfs said or could i do a 30 g and keep for a year or so then upgrade wen more money is there any help would be great on wat else ill need lieka list will start ordering parts as soon as i figure out wat else ive did tons of research so i no protein skimmer and t5 lights but im jsut asking for a list any help would be great and im new

 

You could start with a 30 gallon if you choose but you will want more space pretty fast. Equipment for a 55 would cost more now but the cost of setting up the 30 and then the cost of buying new equipment later to set up the 55 will be way more.

 

ok thanks theres a 55 gal on cl for 100 bucks with a stand but would the sump be to little for it thanks andrew

 

Bigger is better for sumps because they add stability to your water but that sump should do fine as long as theres room in it to hide the equipment you want to hide ie. skimmer, heater ect.

 

yeah there is ill post a pic for u

 

I'm running a 55 and have a 20gal sump, it's actually a good fit for it. I do want to make you aware that setting up and maintaining a reef tank is expensive. I budgeted about $700 to set mine up and ended up spending about $1200, and now I just finished upgrading a lot of equipment such as my protein skimmer and lighting. You really do save more money in the long run if you buy good equipment first, then later regreting it and upgrading the equipment. Also keep in mind you need to continually buy salt, supplements, such as Ca, Mg, and Alk. Plus livestock. You are doing good by looking on places like Craig's List, also check out ebay and forums on the web. Whatever you do, don't skimp on lighting or a protein skimmer, they are critical pieces of equipment to a succesful reef tank.

 

here ya go