I'm finally doing it!

[dreilly1982]

Hey there everyone! I have been surfing quite a few forums lately and well this one seems to be the best so I made an account! Well I had always told myself when I bought a house I would start a reef tank. Well I move in 1Mar!!! :-) I have had some experience with fresh water, but nothing over 20 gals. I want to do this the RIGHT way. I'll be starting with a 75 Gal, following Lee's FOWLR guide. I am not going to jump into inverts or corals right away. So it's going to be a FOWLR from the start but I want to know what I need to do to make sure I don't screw up the eventual transition to a full blown reef. My only two requirements for the tank at the end are a pair of Ocellaris Clowns (with a host hopefully in the future but not right away) and a Regal Clown...(yes I know....I love the movie Finding Nemo) other than that I am just going to see where the good lord takes me. If anyone has any advice let me know....and I will surely keep everyone updated (with pics hopefully) of my progress!

[denhay14]

Welcome to Reefland and yeah this form is one of the best I have found also. There are many experts here which help me and others all the time. If you need any help just give a shout out.

Welcome.

[TimH07]

the mods alone are worth the trip!

[dreilly1982]

OK here comes the first round of questions! I am actually thinking about going 90 gal instead of 75....reason being I found the my LFS was charging WAY too much ($629 for a 75 w/o overflow, stand, glass lid and cheapo light bar) no thank you, found some 90's that HAVE overflows for around that same price. Question is how important is a built in overflow?? Next question is lighting....as I said before this is going to START as a FOWLR until I get the tank aged properly and some time to get the water quality and other upgrades (and my own general knowledge) set....THEN i'll start adding inverts and corals. What should I start with for lighting, should I go all out from day one?? Just get a ballast that can support the lighting and use cheaper bulbs for now? Also as far as sumps and skimmers any thoughts on true value (price vs quality)?? I am trying to do this the RIGHT way and not just jump in over my head so anything you can send my way I am very appreciative.

-Don

[Seige]

OK here comes the first round of questions! I am actually thinking about going 90 gal instead of 75....reason being I found the my LFS was charging WAY too much ($629 for a 75 w/o overflow, stand, glass lid and cheapo light bar) no thank you, found some 90's that HAVE overflows for around that same price. Question is how important is a built in overflow?? Next question is lighting....as I said before this is going to START as a FOWLR until I get the tank aged properly and some time to get the water quality and other upgrades (and my own general knowledge) set....THEN i'll start adding inverts and corals. What should I start with for lighting, should I go all out from day one?? Just get a ballast that can support the lighting and use cheaper bulbs for now? Also as far as sumps and skimmers any thoughts on true value (price vs quality)?? I am trying to do this the RIGHT way and not just jump in over my head so anything you can send my way I am very appreciative.

Since it's roughly the same price I'd go bigger. It'll add some other costs for more sand, rock, etc but your system will be more stable and you can enjoy another fish or 2.

Built in overflow is better. The side mounted overflows are pretty good but for your tank it would cost around $150.

Don't know about lighting. I'm new to this. Lighting is fairly expensive though so you may want to get the best now rather then replacing equipment. You may have the option of geting cheaper lighting now and then when you upgrade later on, move the old lighting to the sump for reverse daylight pH leveling.

Any idea on how long it'll be before you add corals and what type of corals? If it's a couple years that may affect your decision.

How large a sump are you planning on?

[zhenya]

Hi Don,

[dreilly1982]

How large a sump are you planning on?

Seige, you hit my next question right on the head. What size sump should I get?? Basements are extremely rare in my part of the country (I don't have one either) so Poseidon's 75 gal rubbermaid setup is out of the question for me. I am going to need one that can fit into my tank stand. I am going to be custom building my own stand due to the fact that I can't find a commercially built one that is tall enough for proper viewing from a standing position, and it's going to end up costing me less. So should I make my own some how or should I buy a commercially made sump some where? If commercial any recomendations? If I make my own any links to some quality plans? I'm pretty handy so that doesn't bother me. Thanks alot!

-Don

PS to Gene -- Thank you for the warm welcome!!!

[Lucid]

Don,

Check out: Melevsreef.com | Acrylic Sumps & Refugiums and on the left menu under 'varied sumps' is a good start to look around for examples. Instead of acrylic, you could make your own with a 20g aquarium or slightly larger. Just be sure to figure this out before making your stand. I made mine for my 75g and it's a few inches higher than standard and beefier in construction.

If I was you, I would get the better lighting to start. You can probably do T5's like on Poseidon's setup. Also get the built-in overflow(s). Mine has an external overflow and my tank has to sit 5-6" off the wall to accommodate the box. Also neater looking for built-ins.

[Seige]

Seige, you hit my next question right on the head. What size sump should I get?? Basements are extremely rare in my part of the country (I don't have one either) so Poseidon's 75 gal rubbermaid setup is out of the question for me.

Doesn't have to be a basement. You can pipe through the wall to a sump if you have a utility room or closet that's usable.

So should I make my own some how or should I buy a commercially made sump some where?

Custom is nice because you can make it fit exactly how you want it and maximize the dimensions so it can store more water. Is your skimmer an in-sump or side mounted model? Are you planning to have a refugium in it? If you want to pH balance you'll need room for lighting. Do you plan on having an ATO? If you do, how big?

oh I heard one issue with making your own is if it leaks your house insurance may not cover the damage. Not sure if that's true.

It's a huge advantage that your making your own stand. I have to squeeze my sump/refugium, skimmer, lighting, ato and RO/DI into a 22" wide x 15" deep x 26" high opening. I'm trying to contact the stand manufacturer to get parts so I can modify the stand and move the ATO to another section.

You can make your own plans based on the designs you see. I'll try and find a link to some plans later.

[dreilly1982]

Seige you've been a great help! The guy in the link you gave me is a super plus because he's in Fort Worth.....being only four hours from me (and my dad living in Dallas) makes his sumps pretty accessible! Thanks so much, should be ordering the tank itself here shortly will have pics up when I get it!

-Don

[Seige]

Seige you've been a great help! The guy in the link you gave me is a super plus because he's in Fort Worth.....being only four hours from me (and my dad living in Dallas) makes his sumps pretty accessible! Thanks so much, should be ordering the tank itself here shortly will have pics up when I get it!

-Don

Thanks lol. Did I give you a link? I think I mentioned I'd post one later but since you obviously found a good custom manufacturer you won't need itl.

My memory has a leak, maybe I should install an ato for brain cells. lol

[dreilly1982]

LOL I guess that's what I get for posting so late at night! Thank you LUCID for the link and thank BOTH Lucid and Seige for all the help! :-p I should be ordering the tank later today or early tomorrow so when it finally comes in I'll take some pictures and start building my stand, sump, and plumbing!