Brand new tank...now what?

[pdamhuis67]

Hi everybody.

Yesterday I aquired a new 55g tank. It is going to be a RT.
It has a 36" standard hood, but the top caover is totally glass.

The tank is not drilled for anything.
Dimensions: 36wx18dx20h

It is empty and there is no additional equipment yet.

Now what?

What reccomendations can ya'll give me for equipment?
If I can't buy the equipment this pay check I will do it next pay check, I am not pressed for time. So, I can save up for good equipment.

Thanks all

[lcstorc]

Welcome to RS.
Be prepared to spend more than one or two paychecks on your tank.
Since the tank is not drilled I would get a HOB overflow that goes to a sump with a good protein skimmer. The other thing you will want before you can really start is Live Rock. You want 1-2 lbs per gallon of good live rock. This is used for the biological cycle. Do not cycle with live fish. Use a shrimp from the deli. Anyway I am getting way ahead of things. Take your time, plan things out, and go slowly. It will reward you in the end

[pdamhuis67]

I know 2 or 3 pay checks won't do it. With more than 300 paychecks I might get closer

One of the things I really never got any clear answer on is, do I really need a sump/ protein skimmer? Or is there another way to get a nice tank without it, since my space is kinda limitied.

What kind of lighting would be adequate for this tank?
Filtration?

I have so many questions that I won't put them all in here at the same time.
I want corals, LR, LS and probaly some anemones. Of course fish, but those come after the tank is fully cycled/cured.

Paul

[PEMfish]

You will need a sump and good protein skimmer. a AGA 15 gallon ( 24x12x12"t ) would be alright. ASM makes good ones, but even the G1 is a little over kill. Now I'm not saying it wouldn't be good for you though. Wonder what brand tank that is, its not AGA.

[pdamhuis67]

the trim on the tank says: Oceanic.

[PEMfish]

Ahh

[pdamhuis67]

I guess I have to rethink my space situation then. First I would need a new stand where I can put the sump in.

Forgive me for my ignorance, but wouldn't a sump require some plumbing/piping? And How does the overflow work, like on gravity or something, and I would of course need a pump to pump the water back into the tank.

Since we live right in the middle of Tornado Alley, I would have to find a solution just in case we have a power outage.

I don't really understand the principal of a sump. Not to mention a refugium.

I am not gonna stock my tank with fish that need pods. I just want a lot of corals, LR and maybe a few false percs and a good CUC. An anmone or two would be nice too.

Maybe I need to rethink a few things

[PEMfish]

An anmone would be way off in the future for you. They require a lot of light too.
A sump is a necessary place for all the equipment and the return provides flow, witch corals need.
A fuge provides a place for food culturing and controlled algae, witch use nutrients in the water column to cut back on algae in the DT. Or if you have an injured fish that is the place for it to recover.

[pdamhuis67]

I wasn't gonna get the anemone in the near future...first I want to make sure I have the right equipment and I want to make sure my tank is mature enough for a nem.

I have a hell of a lot to learn before I can even start this tank

Our LFS doesn't even have anything for RT. So I am depending on driving out of town to a good LFS.

RESEARCHHHHHH....

[PEMfish]

Based on what you've said so far, and your attitude, you will have success in this hobby.

[Dentoid]

Welcome! Here is a great link on "How a Sump Works". It shows the tank, overflow, sump and return. You are right, the draining water is by gravity, the return is by a pump. All the best!

Melevsreef.com | Acrylic Sumps & Refugiums

[pdamhuis67]

Up until today I didn't even know what a sump was.

Now I have to think about how to make one and where to put it or even hog big would be big enough.

Good thing I still have to make the stand.

As far as I have been able to find it, there should be overflow boxes at a good LFS available, right?

And what all goes in the sump? Things like filters and heater?

Like I said, I have many questions.

[Varga]

I suggest starting out with bare minimum equipment since alot of folks spend thousands and 6 months later they realize they are not into the hobby as much as they thought.

IMO you should just start with LR and a HOB skimmer and wait a month or so. hold off on expensive skimmer, sump, fuge, halides, etc.

goodl luck

[Dentoid]

The sump is a great resource. Some of the things it does.

1. Increases water volume of the system.
2. Houses pumps, heaters, probes, thermometers, reactors etc.
3. Place to propagate pods (small animals that feed the reef).
4. Keeps the ugliness out of sight.
5. Brings water change maintenance to floor level.

[PEMfish]

Like I said, AGA makes a 24x12x12"t tank you should look at for a sump.