Getting into saltwater

[QuietPlotter]

Hey.


I have a 45 gallon reef tank, which I honestly know nothing about. It's in my living room, has a bunch of coral and fish, and people come and clean it every month. I won it, maintenace included for like 10 years and everything.


So I know nothing except that anemones move. Lol.


I'm looking to start a SW tank.


I am looking for 2.5g-40breeder capacity.

I want the entire cost to come out LESS THAN 400$.


I just honestly have NO IDEA WHAT TO DO.

Lol.



I need a list please, anything you guys can tell me. I will be looking up tank prices to tell you what size I'm getting..



Thanks,



QP

 

[LordErrorprone]

First, I would recommend learning some of the science behind a saltwater environment. The second sticky in this forum has some useful articles you can look into. Me or someone else in this forum could post a ton of information about it but I find its better to research the subject yourself with some help from others along the way.

 

[greaver83]

read up on biological filtration and live rock and also water chemistry and the cycling process there are a lot of really smart people on here willing to help you if you are willing to help your self by doing independent research i have learned everything i know from the people here also craigslist ebay and amazon are your best friends

 

[QuietPlotter]

I know all about bio filtration, cycling (I run freshwater).


Ok, I will do that. See ya when I do my reading!

 

[LordErrorprone]

Cycling and bio filtration is different in saltwater.

 

[QuietPlotter]

Yeah, I read up

 

[greaver83]

Good job now start stalking c list for parts

 

[QuietPlotter]

Please tell me what I need (Tank is gonna be 20 or more gallons)

Just yes or no to each-


Live Sand (Can it come from the beach?)
Live Rock (I'm using anyways)

RO/DI unit
UV Sterilizer
Sump
Overflow
Powerhead

 

[QuietPlotter]

Sand from the ocean, not the dry beach

 

[Ibrahim]

Please tell me what I need (Tank is gonna be 20 or more gallons)

Just yes or no to each-

Live Sand (Can it come from the beach?)
Live Rock (I'm using anyways)

RO/DI unit
UV Sterilizer
Sump
Overflow
Powerhead

RO/DI unit yes
UV Sterilizer un needed
Sump recommended but not needed
Overflow yes if you go with sump
Powerhead yes

 

[QuietPlotter]

Thanks

 

[greaver83]

I would get atleast two power heads you want to shoot for 10x turnover so 45x10 450 gph of flow also look at a protein Skimmer rated for twice your tank size

 

[LordErrorprone]

I would get atleast two power heads you want to shoot for 10x turnover so 45x10 450 gph of flow also look at a protein Skimmer rated for twice your tank size

Where did you get the 45?

 

[greaver83]

Where did you get the 45?

Im sorry he has a 45 gallon now thats already setup i thought he was looking for a 45 gallon my bad

 

[QuietPlotter]

My 45- I won that big thing. There was a drag race with 60mph go-karts here in FL. I said eh, whatever, and went for it. Imagine my shock when I won.

Later, they sent a few dudes with a tank over to mize, 45 gallons. They installed the equipment, added sand, added LR. They much later on added corals. A few crabs. Then they added fish. I paid for this, but only for the fish and inverts. They come once a month with buckets of water that "they have too many of" and clean my tank.


I wanted to start one for myself, learn how it happens, the fish, corals...



Thought it would be a great experience.



QP

 

[QuietPlotter]

To my house* not mize.