First Big Step

[lilfishfiend]

Hi guys, My name is Leeane and I want to start my first saltwater tank. No tank or set up yet, because im hoping to get my research done a little before I plop myself into this.

You guys seem to have a lot of knowledge so I can't wait to come to you when I'm stuck.... Which seems to be right about now.

Trying to figure out a filter system for my tank, I came across the CPR bakpak hangon, the deltec hangon (oh my head is that thing expensive), or having a sump if i decide to get a larger tank. Now a lot of these come with bioballs but I was told that if I was going to do a reef tank I should take them out.

Why? Don't we want the bacteria to help filter the water?


~Lee

[JCheung]

Bioballs only break the waste down to nitrates and no further, What you would want is Live rock and the bacteria in that to break down the nitrates into Nitrogen. And welcome to the club.

[Behrmon]

30349

What size tank are you planning on setting up? If you can go w/ a sump and internal skimmer that would be great. You can find internal skimmers here often. TomD has an Octopus 150 for sale now (I think) for $100 which is a pretty good deal and there are a few sumps around as well. A hang on will work but you may well find yourself wanting to go internal with a sump in a short amount of time.

[lilfishfiend]

Well it's a combination of my needs now (space, money, ease of setup) and my needs in the future.... I know i can get a forty breeder, easily because my friend is about to take down his aquarium, but that seems a little small to me. I have also been looking at the biocube tanks by oceanic and the Red Sea cube. Those look interesting because you get the whole shebang.

Anyways I'll be sure to keep you guys posted on any breaking developments. Thanks for clearing up the previous confusion.

~Lee

[jackthestrat]

forty breeders are nice footprints. They are not high, which means depending on what you want to put in there you can get away with less light that a higher tank (light penetration is easier to depth).

I run a 40 breeder right now and water changes are a 5 gallon bucket every week. it's actually rather convenient.

And as far as size - yeah bigger is nice, leaves room for mistakes and LOTS of stuff, but i think you learn much more having to get your fingers wet on a smallish tank. Plus it doesn't dominate your life...:D

[TomD]

Welcome to BRS. Thanks for the plug Berhmon.

My first advice to you is take the time and go with a reef ready tank. I started with a 30 gal. with all hang on equipment and it was not long until my tank started to look nice, but all the equipment killed it. A 40 breeder is an awesome footprint for a smaller tank. I am always a huge advocate of wide tanks, you will appreciate it once you start filling with rock and corals.

Even if you buy an undrilled tank, it does not cost much to have it drilled, plumb, and silicone on an overflow.

Some more advice. As others have stated bigger is best and I learned that quick. Go with as big as you can afford because it will always appear to be plenty of room and not long after you will want more. Oh, and always take the figure you think you will spend and multiply by a ton:)

I only started keeping a reef in the summer of 06 and the people here taught me a hundred books worth of info very quick. Do your research like you are doing and don't rush. I am willing to bet almost everybody who setups their first tank wishes they did something different so look around, maybe ask if you can see peoples tanks to see what you like. Almost everybody here is great for that.

[delta]

Welcome to the BRS

You might think about attending this months meeting. We are going to have a tank drilling demo and an acrylic demo which will include making and installing an internal overflow. (the modified 10G tank will be raffled off).

GL with your setup :)

[Salty Dog]

Welcome to the BRS....

You might want to aim a little larger than you initially expect. Take it from someone that started with a 55, moved to a 90, and is now thinking seriously about a 120.

I highly recommend using a sump - usually you can fit it in the stand. You want a tank that is drilled with an overflow, and then you just hook up some plumbing and you're off the races..

Eric

Eric

[Firefish]

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