Hello Fellow Aquarists

[way2weary]

I have just stumbled upon this awesome forum during my search for information about setting up a marine aquarium. I have been a fresh water caretaker for about 5 years now and feel ready to make the next logical step to salt water. I picked up and older acrylic 25 gal SeaClear corner tank at a local fish club auction for 30 bucks. It is 25" tall and 25" wide on both sides(forming a triangle). It looked bigger than it is and it was listed as a 32 gal tank so I'm a little disappointed but it is what it is. Anyway, I see that people have very successful reefs in 20 gal tanks with some extra care.

So far I know I must spend the bulk of my set up money on a good skimmer(Aqua C and Euro Reef seem to be the experienced favorites). I will go with a sand base but haven't decided whether to go deep or not. Bare bottom is not a consideration...after all natural reefs are on sand right? Also live rock is definitely high on the wish list.

The thing that I am most confused about is filtration. I have read that a quality skimmer negates the need for filtration but I don't understand how this could be. How can power heads create enough whole tank water movement? Especially in a tall narrow tank like mine. Is that what a sump is for? What about UV sterilization to control algae bloom?

I want to take my time and get the best start I can and would appreciate it if anyone could help me get a handle on those things I am confused about. I am glad to have found you all and look forward to being able to spout off all those abbreviations and know what they mean.

[lcstorc]

Welcome to RS.
First a bit of help with the abbreviations.
Acronyms / Abbreviations
Now on to a couple of your questions.
Sounds like you have started your research well. A good skimmer is very important in a reef setup. LR is also very high on the list but one you missed is the lighting. This is very important. Depending on what you want to keep you want to get the appropriate lighting. For example sof corals require much less light than clams or anemones.
Sumps are a wonderful but not required component of a reef system. They give you a place to put equipment such as skimmers or heaters. The add water volume to the system making it more stable. The return pump in the sump will supply flow to the aquarium. Depending on the size of the tank and what you want to keep you can add either power heads or a closed loop system for additional flow.
The only filtration in my systems is a good protein skimmer and a filter sock or filter floss. Both need to be cleaned/replaced frequently but they do a good job of pulling out the big stuff. Other than that the skimmer pulls out proteins and the LR converts the amonia to a harmless gas which is then released.
Hoepfully that answered a few questions anyway.
Do lots of research and remember the #1 rule in reefing is to go slowly. Only bad things happen quickly in a reef system.

[BigAl07]

Hello and WELCOME! You've come to a GREAT place!

Remember we ALL started right where you are so don't be shy (I don't get that you are from your very nicely detailed 1st post) and jump right in.

Take some time to read this Newbies, a little something on cycling/breaking in a new reef tank. VERY informative thread which will get you familiar with the whole Nitrogen Cycle. You need to get INTIMATELY familiar with it because it's a part of your Salt Water system whether you like it or not. And it's not just important in he beginning. You need to know it to handle it

Again WELCOME!

[AQTCJAK]

Welcome Aboard