Experienced Fish Keeper, New 2 Salt & Reef

[MKLKT]

Since you have the time still, I'd recommend reading up on setting up new tanks and how each piece of equipment functions. From that base you can decide how you want to run your tank because every system is very different, lots of different opinions as well as differences in livestock which will have different requirements. You sound like someone who will be responsible and patient with it which is a huge plus. It's very addictive, I'm warning you.

For example, I personally really like using a filter sock on the overflow. I also highly recommend having a drilled tank for reliability and esthetic sense, especially since you don't even have it yet. Shorter sump is good, but remember to get one that can handle its own water + any backflow that will come down from the tank when the return pump is off.

I also recommend really researching which pieces of equipment you buy, otherwise if you buy the "cheap" starter stuff you'll want to replace it within a year and all you've done is wasted cash, and it's tough to re-sell the junkier pieces. Try to connect with other people locally who have tanks and they can demo how theirs runs and you might make a friend who can help you out in a pinch.

[bomb1977]

All good advice.

I'm still doing a lot of reading on how the items involved work. I'm currently reading up on protein skimmers and how they work. I actually can't believe that such a simple device is so expensive.

It seems like a 2 litre pop bottle with the bottom cut out of it and a wooden airstone or two with a tube out the top draining into a collection cup would do the same job for about $25 bucks. But that's just my initial thought after a few hours of reading.

As for the calcium reactor, I will back burner that and add my calcium and alkaline manually in the beginning. If I find I need heavy and frequent dosing, an auto doser seems like the way to go.

I like the idea of a computer controlling my lights and powerheads, but the rest just seems like overkill to me at this point.

Quick background on me...

Age 19-27 - I was a Tool and Die Maker for a major Auto Manufacturer
Age 28-33 - I was a Corporate Sales Rep in the Downtown Core (Toronto)
Age 34-Today (35) - I run a company in West Hamilton with about 12 employees

So I can build things and I have the ability to bring things in wholesale also. I'm hoping to do this for my live rock and corals to save some money.

But I also have an excellent relationship with all of the local fish stores from my days as a cichlid breeder. I know the big guys within big al's at Hamilton and Oakville. The Oakville guys just moved to Mississauga. So I'm hoping I can use those connections too

I think I'm going to end up using 250-350 pounds of live rock for my wall, cave and in my sump. I might order what I need, or I might order in 500-1000 pounds to get a lower price and pass on the savings to other people I know in the hobby

I did try the HDAS, but they just aren't my kind of people. I'm an ex jock that would rather do things than sit around and talk about doing things

Hopefully I can meet up with some local people and put together some group buys. I don't mind using my company as a front to get wholesale pricing What? The tank is going in my home office That's a write off

[DAVE]

I think you have been given some very good advice so far.

Good luck and keep asking questions.

Dave

[Adread]

First off, I'm pretty new to saltwater as well after years of freshwater we just decided 6 months ago to start our reef tank.

Definetly put the protein skimmer in the first section of the sump. I didn't when I started and it did almost nothing for me until I rearranged my sump setup a couple weeks ago. You need it to get the suspended proteins out before they settle.

Just keep on your schedule and take it slow. It's easy to get excited but worth the wait. We still only have 2 fish and two shrimp in our 75 gallon plus cleanup crew but it's a blast watching the everything grow an have our frags fill out.

Adam