What is required for starting a 75 gal. saltwater tank??

im about to buy a 75 gal. tank and would like to turn it into a salt water aquarium. what do i need to have a good setup and a healthy working aquarium?

 

Are you planning on doing a reef tank, fish only tank or FOWLR?

 

i figured i would start with a FOWLR then go from there

 

start with one stack of cash, add patience and good lighting and it will all come together

FOWLR
ro/di
sand
rocks
powerheads
overflow if you can with sump
return pump
salt
testing kit for nitrate, ammonia, nitrites, ph, alk, calcium,. mag.
food
decent light but nothing to expensive. $100 o Ebay should set your right
time....

then a fish

time...

then another fish

time....

etc...

to convert to reef:

$300 light

time
coral
time
etc...

 

Ok Ill run down a short list of what you will need to get the cycle going first:

Two power heads 800-100gph
Stand
Hob overflow if tank isn't drilled
20 gallon long tank with baffles installed (drawings for this all over the forum)
twin heaters rated for about 50 gallon
return pump 600-1000gph
plumbing

live rock and live sand

This will get your tank flow going and water temp up. It will be awhile for your cycle which will give you time to gather the next phase of stuff. After the cycle and before you add fish add the following.

protein skimmer
lighting (T5 will give you more room to convert to a reef later.

 

you can also go with marco rock or reefcleaners or bulk reef supply and do almost all base rock. Cheaper no chance of getting bad hitchhikers

 

If your about to go buy a new 75 in hopes of starting your first reef, I would seriously consider taking that cash and looking into a used setup on craigslist or a local reef club. With this economy a lot of people really need the $100-150 savings on their light bills over a hobby.

~Will.

 

Yeah thats what i was planning, no way i would spend that much for a first saltwater tank lol not too practical in my case. still debating over a 55 and 75 though

 

A choice between a 55 and a 75 isn't much of a choice at all. Go with the 75 all day. I'm about to upgrade my 125 to a 180 for the extra 6" in width (same thing you would get if starting with a 75 over a 55). The extra volume gives you a little more wiggle room incase anything gets out of whack.

~Will.

 

i was planning on going with the 75 cuz like you said more wiggle room. it needs lights though, i am planning on doing a FOWLR. the lights i found are...

""48 inch SILVER SOLAR T5 HO AQUARIUM LIGHT FIXTURE - 4x54 -

Each T5 has its own individual German polished aluminum reflector that TRIPLES the light output into your aquarium from each bulb!

This light fixture features the HIGHEST QUALITY BALLAST. These ballast are excellent for the T5's lightbulbs.

4 BULBS are included with this fixture. We will automatically ship two 10k daylight T5 bulbs and two 420 actinic""

Is this sufficient enough?? or should i go for a 6 bulber with more wattage?