Completely new setup

[TreyBruce]

Greetings, scientists and hobbyists! I am completely new to the hobby, but my step dad has been keeping reefs for more than 10 years.

A brand new, unused 72 gallon Oceanic bowfront aquarium, stand, lighting, and PennPlax 1200 canister filter were donated to the school where I teach biology and chemistry. I believe this tank was originally intended to be a reef. However, I think keeping a saltwater FOWLR tank would serve as a more than excellent teaching tool for some of my lessons this upcoming year.

I've been reading a lot of the 'getting started' threads, as well as a book by Martin Moe, Jr. on saltwater inverts, etc., and am ready to compile my list of necessities.

I've read that the canister filter would work well, but would require some extra maintenance. So I'd like to make a DIY sump and fill it with goodies. I've got the entire summer and I'm quite patient. However, I know of some things I need, but have questions:

1) I know I need a sump. How large?
2) Recommended skimmer for said sump? Don't want to spend more than $250.
3) Do I need a refractometer now or can that wait? Recommendations?
4) I know I need two heaters, some powerheads, an air pump or two, an ro/di system (yes, that's a must)...Could someone basically help me compile a list of 'must haves' so I can get started? In general, I don't know what I *need* and what can wait.

I would like to begin cycling the tank by the end of the month, if possible, so I can take the summer to really fine tune some things and quarantine a fish, maybe two.

Thanks for everything so far. This forum is a winner.

-Trey

[hollister]

Powerheads very important. Water movement creats a gas exchange at the surface removing nitrogen and bringing in oxygen.

Canisters can be time consuming and costly , a HOB bio filter works great and easier to care for.

FOWLR means a skimmer manditory and i would get one rated for a 100 gallon or so.

Sump not really needed , this is for tanks with corals but still fun ..

Air pump not needed as salt water recieves oxygen from water flow.

This can be a hard nightmare or easy as pie. Information , preplanning and patiants are your best friend. Also a start up guide like this one GL.....

http://www.amazon.com/Book-Marine-Aq.../dp/1564651029

[TimeConsumer]

Originally Posted by TreyBruce

1) I know I need a sump. How large?
2) Recommended skimmer for said sump? Don't want to spend more than $250.
3) Do I need a refractometer now or can that wait? Recommendations?
4) I know I need two heaters, some powerheads, an air pump or two, an ro/di system (yes, that's a must)...Could someone basically help me compile a list of 'must haves' so I can get started? In general, I don't know what I *need* and what can wait.

Welcome to the hobby Trey. It sounds like you're headed in the right direction so far. Sell the canister filter to get yourself some extra budget.

1) The bigger the better with sumps, it will depend on your stand. A 30g would be a good estimate.
2) Lots of options here and you'll get a lot of differing opinions. A good portion of this decision will be based upon your sump design (and vice-versa). Here are a few brands to think about: Aquamaxx, Bubble Magus, Reef Octopus. These companies will have models in your price range, something rated for around 100g-120g would be best, any bigger and you may have a hard time holding a decent foam head.
3) Might as well get one now. You can get one from BRS for $40 and it comes with a calibration solution.
4) For heaters I prefer the Eheim jager. Skip the air pump. RO/DI is definitely needed. Powerheads are good, for a fish only I would just get a couple of Hydor Koralia Evolution 750/1050, depending on the size of the fish.

As far as the things you're missing from your list? Here we go:

Return pump: something like a Danner Mag Drive 7 would work and is priced well.
Rock: You can go with dry or live, personal preference. For dry I would go with BRS reefsaver, Marco rock, or reefcleaners rock. For live I would go with Tampa Bay Saltwater.
Sand: You can get the "live" stuff from caribsea, or go dry. Up to you.
Test kits: Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate for when you're cycling, cheap ones like API will be fine. Beyond that I would just have a quality (Red Sea, Elos, or Salifert) Alkalinity test kit as it's an important parameter even for fish only tanks.
For mixing saltwater you will need: salt, thermometer, heater, 5 gallon bucket, small circulation pump, TDS meter (for the RO/DI), and a siphon to remove the tank water.

You also should seriously consider setting up a quarantine tank. You don't want to drop in the newest fish to find it has brooklynella and contaminate all your other fish.

Also, if you're going to be doing some DIY, you may as well DIY an autotopoff. Combine this with an autofeeder and you won't have to worry if you can't make it into the classroom for a couple of days.

[igot2gats]

bare minimum for start up

-RODI unit
-Quarantine Tank (heater, pvc, filter, top for tank)
-Refractometer
-Storage containers for RODI & Salt, along with a heater and powerheads for containers
-water test kits (Ammonia, ph, Nitrate, Nitrite)
-dead or live rock for tank, substrate