Hi There

trinidado · 09/29/2007, 10:46 AM

Hi, I'm Trin, and new to the fascinating hobby of reef-keeping as well as salt water. I've had experience with fresh water for 4 years now, and currently have a 25 gallon tropical livebearer tank that I'm moving into the hallway soon. (It's currently in my room) I am replacing it with a 75 gallon saltwater aquarium that I'm getting from a neighbor. (I also have a newt)

Anyways, I'm wondering how much work and effort is necessary for having a 75 gallon saltwater aquarium. I might be moving out of the house in 3 years, and I'm hoping to teach my parents how to take care the fish and corals, but I need to learn first.

Here's the list of things that I'm getting. (I think)
75 gallon glass tank 48"x24"x20"(Don't think it's designed for salties)
Stand and hood

What I'll have to buy:
Sand
Live rock
Skimmer & Pre-designed Sump
Some tubing to connect them
Powerheads
Corals and Fish
---------------------------------------------
So, please tell me if I've missed something. I also want the tank to be as energy efficient as possible. (For a 75 gallon reef)

I'll have more info later as well as some photos (Hopefully within a week)

Thanks for your help,
Trin

Tilmo2180 · 09/29/2007, 11:08 AM

Lights, I would add some lights

Other than that a DIY sump is much cheaper and pretty easy too. I would also look into running a refugium with your sump, great for nutrient export and not much work there either. Im pretty new and its the only skimmer I have ever used but I really like my euroreefd skimmer, I havet the RS80 and its really quiet and easy to use. It would be perfect for a 75 too.
just my .02

Steven

MTB · 09/29/2007, 01:44 PM

I would also add some quality lights to the list.

Other than that, looks like your on the right track.

kuoka · 09/29/2007, 02:23 PM

Welcome! I agree with the DIY sump (many people use old 10 or 20 gal. aquariums). Refugiums are a "nice to have" IMO. Instead of investing in a refugium right away, I'd put that toward a good quality light (as others stated). You can always add a compartment to your sump for a refugium (remember you'll need yet another light for the refugium).

As for effort, I find myself spending about an hour a week on my tank which is mostly spent on cleaning the glass, topping off water, testing for calc. and alk. I change 20% of my water about every 2 weeks and it takes about 20min in total.

Good luck!

trinidado · 09/29/2007, 04:30 PM

Thanks for the advise. (I REALLY appreciate it) About the Sump, how does it connect to the tank if I don't have any holes in it? Will I have to drill holes, or bring it into my LFS? Also, how T5s for energy consumption compared to the other ones? Are they bright enough for corals and anemones?

@ Kuoka- I see you have tanks in your 72G tank. I would like some tangs, which ones are nice in your tank?

davidryder · 09/29/2007, 05:31 PM

Here is some info on sumps:

http://www.melevsreef.com/what_sump.html

Regardless of the type of light fixture you get watts are watts when it comes to energy efficiency. If you have a 75 gallon tank you can use a general rule of thumb of 3-5 watts of light per gallon of display water. So to keep many softies and most anemones you can start out at 225w.

The electric company measures usage by kilowatt hours so regardless if it's a 225w compact fluorescent or 225w metal halide fixture you will pay approximately the same amount.

It's easy to make your own sump. I have a 15g glass tank I got from the store for $25, bought some acrylic from lowes and used a scoring tool to cut baffles to make compartments and siliconed them in with GE Silicon 1. But first you will need a way to get water from the tank to the sump, which is where w weir box comes in - which is also mentioned on melevsreef.com. You can make one of those or you could buy one from many fish stores.

Good luck, keep the questions coming

davidryder · 09/29/2007, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by trinidado

@ Kuoka- I see you have tanks in your 72G tank. I would like some tangs, which ones are nice in your tank?

Tangs are observed in nature swimming in long sweeping motions thousands of feet at a time. Do your research on tangs, there are only a handful of them that would do well in a 4' tank.

A yellow tang is a very popular choice for beginners as they are relatively hardy and peaceful.

Some other recommendations I would suggest for tangs are the

Kole Tang (I have one of these)
Scopas Tang
Mimic Tang
Convict Tang
Whitecheek Tang (May be hard to find)

I wouldn't keep more than one tang in anything smaller than a 200g tank personally.

kuoka · 09/29/2007, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by trinidado
Thanks for the advise. (I REALLY appreciate it) About the Sump, how does it connect to the tank if I don't have any holes in it? Will I have to drill holes, or bring it into my LFS? Also, how T5s for energy consumption compared to the other ones? Are they bright enough for corals and anemones?

@ Kuoka- I see you have tanks in your 72G tank. I would like some tangs, which ones are nice in your tank?

You don't have to drill any holes for your sump. If your display tank has an overflow (usually a black box looking thing in your tank) then you're "sump ready". In the overflow there are two holes in the bottom of the tank. One feeds the sump then another gets water from the sump.

Feel free to PM me for more details or pics of what it could look like. (I don't want to post pages of info on one post LOL).

As for the tangs, I prefer the blue or powder blue tangs. Both are pretty sensitive to ich though. I found the yellow or naso's to be somewhat resilient.

davidryder · 09/29/2007, 06:48 PM

Also, check out http://www.reefcentral.com/books/ for some great ideas for books.

This book is my bible for fish shopping and info

Salamander · 09/29/2007, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by trinidado
I might be moving out of the house in 3 years, and I'm hoping to teach my parents how to take care the fish and corals, but I need to learn first.

Trin

Not to be a downer, I'm just a realist, but I wouldn't count on your parents taking care of things when you leave. Its quite a commitment and someone needs to be willing to wade through the inevitable disasters and mini disasters that happen. But maybe you can get them
enthusiastically involved in the hobby.

Other than that welcome to the reef.

09/29/2007, 10:46 AM	#1
trinidado Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 11	Hi There Hi, I'm Trin, and new to the fascinating hobby of reef-keeping as well as salt water. I've had experience with fresh water for 4 years now, and currently have a 25 gallon tropical livebearer tank that I'm moving into the hallway soon. (It's currently in my room) I am replacing it with a 75 gallon saltwater aquarium that I'm getting from a neighbor. (I also have a newt) Anyways, I'm wondering how much work and effort is necessary for having a 75 gallon saltwater aquarium. I might be moving out of the house in 3 years, and I'm hoping to teach my parents how to take care the fish and corals, but I need to learn first. Here's the list of things that I'm getting. (I think) 75 gallon glass tank 48"x24"x20"(Don't think it's designed for salties) Stand and hood What I'll have to buy: Sand Live rock Skimmer & Pre-designed Sump Some tubing to connect them Powerheads Corals and Fish --------------------------------------------- So, please tell me if I've missed something. I also want the tank to be as energy efficient as possible. (For a 75 gallon reef) I'll have more info later as well as some photos (Hopefully within a week) Thanks for your help, Trin

09/29/2007, 11:08 AM	#2
Tilmo2180 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Live Oak, CA Posts: 443	Lights, I would add some lights Other than that a DIY sump is much cheaper and pretty easy too. I would also look into running a refugium with your sump, great for nutrient export and not much work there either. Im pretty new and its the only skimmer I have ever used but I really like my euroreefd skimmer, I havet the RS80 and its really quiet and easy to use. It would be perfect for a 75 too. just my .02 Steven __________________ Steven MARS forum name - Salexander Current Tank Info: 90g

09/29/2007, 01:44 PM	#3
MTB Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Illannoy Posts: 1,365	I would also add some quality lights to the list. Other than that, looks like your on the right track. __________________ Got Frags? Current Tank Info: 40 breeder. Kessil lights. Reef octopus skimmer. Vortec mp40 x2.

09/29/2007, 02:23 PM	#4
kuoka Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: NorCal Cali Posts: 713	Welcome! I agree with the DIY sump (many people use old 10 or 20 gal. aquariums). Refugiums are a "nice to have" IMO. Instead of investing in a refugium right away, I'd put that toward a good quality light (as others stated). You can always add a compartment to your sump for a refugium (remember you'll need yet another light for the refugium). As for effort, I find myself spending about an hour a week on my tank which is mostly spent on cleaning the glass, topping off water, testing for calc. and alk. I change 20% of my water about every 2 weeks and it takes about 20min in total. Good luck! __________________ They say don't talk about someone unless you've walked a mile in their shoes.. But if you do, at least you'll be ahead of them AND have their shoes! :) Current Tank Info: 72gal glass bow front reef, mostly LPS with some SPS, tangs, anthias, blenny, paired percula clowns, gold headed sleeper goby, red fairy wrasse

09/29/2007, 05:31 PM	#6
davidryder Claris or Elliot? Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Nightopia Posts: 2,750	Here is some info on sumps: http://www.melevsreef.com/what_sump.html Regardless of the type of light fixture you get watts are watts when it comes to energy efficiency. If you have a 75 gallon tank you can use a general rule of thumb of 3-5 watts of light per gallon of display water. So to keep many softies and most anemones you can start out at 225w. The electric company measures usage by kilowatt hours so regardless if it's a 225w compact fluorescent or 225w metal halide fixture you will pay approximately the same amount. It's easy to make your own sump. I have a 15g glass tank I got from the store for $25, bought some acrylic from lowes and used a scoring tool to cut baffles to make compartments and siliconed them in with GE Silicon 1. But first you will need a way to get water from the tank to the sump, which is where w weir box comes in - which is also mentioned on melevsreef.com. You can make one of those or you could buy one from many fish stores. Good luck, keep the questions coming __________________ A rolling stone gathers no moss... Current Tank Info: 90g mixed reef, corner overflow (Mag 9.5), 25g refugium (Mag 5), 15g refugium, Orbit 260w pc, Pan World 50PX-X (Closed loop), AquaC EV-120 (now skimmerless)

09/29/2007, 04:30 PM	#5
trinidado Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 11	Thanks for the advise. (I REALLY appreciate it) About the Sump, how does it connect to the tank if I don't have any holes in it? Will I have to drill holes, or bring it into my LFS? Also, how T5s for energy consumption compared to the other ones? Are they bright enough for corals and anemones? @ Kuoka- I see you have tanks in your 72G tank. I would like some tangs, which ones are nice in your tank?

09/29/2007, 06:48 PM	#9
davidryder Claris or Elliot? Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Nightopia Posts: 2,750	Also, check out http://www.reefcentral.com/books/ for some great ideas for books. This book is my bible for fish shopping and info __________________ A rolling stone gathers no moss... Current Tank Info: 90g mixed reef, corner overflow (Mag 9.5), 25g refugium (Mag 5), 15g refugium, Orbit 260w pc, Pan World 50PX-X (Closed loop), AquaC EV-120 (now skimmerless)