Brand New - What Do i Need?

aspinn · 01/06/2008, 06:52 PM

Hey guys!

I have been researching over htep ast few months of freshwater aqariums but i finnaly had time to look into saltwater, lets just say im never going back =) i was planning on doing a 46gallon reef tank with a few fish, coral, some invertebrates but i have a bunch of questions about the supplies i need (in bold) also am i missing anything??

Tank/stand/hood - 46gallon
Lights
Live Rock
Live Sand
Skimmer (what is a good brand name)
salt (what is a good/reliable brand?)
heater
thermometer/thingy that measures salinity)
Test Kits (what do i need? whats a good brand?)
Flow Jets (how many do i need? whats a good brand name?)

am i missing anything?

also do i need a sump? with this size of tank should i look at getting one or will it be fine without one as long as i have the skimmer and such?

well thank you so much! cant wait to get to know all of you more!

zotzer · 01/06/2008, 07:15 PM

Hi Aspinn...
I have a 46G reef, and all the details can be seen by clicking on the little red house above this post.

I use a combination of test kits....Instant Ocean Master reef kit, Salifert Nitrate, Ammonia, Magnesium and Calcium test kits.

As for salt, I use Reef Crystals, but you'll see lots of varying opinions on salt mixes.

Have fun!!!
Tracy

cilyjr · 01/06/2008, 07:35 PM

you are going to see a million opinions on the best brands thats for sure.

you dont need a sump, but i found when i set up my 46 ( was my first tank) that it makes it easier. also it will hide unsightly equipment that will make viewing the tank more of a pleasure. i had my 46 drilled because i didn't want to trust a syphon overflow box. if you have a 46 bowfront by AGA you can drill the back not the bottom i had it done and it cost 20 a hole (you can drill it your self but my guy guaranteed his work so if it cracked free new tank).
do you know what lights you want to use (VHO, T-5, MH)? as far as flow i used a MJ 1200 and a mag 5 running a closed loop and i had a mag 5 return from the sump. for about 1000gph give or take a bit because of head pressure. looking back though i would most likely just buy 2 korilia 3s.

here are some threads that go into great detail on setting up for the first time. i have them bookmarked because i still find them useful for reference....good luck

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...99#post7989499

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=239848

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=550860

aspinn · 01/07/2008, 11:54 PM

sorry busy day =) thank you very very much for the links reading them now ciljr and tracy i lvoe your tank its looking great! =) halfway done the post lol and i have already found it helpful! thank you both of you (and if anyone has anything else to add please do i would appreciate it!) thanks!

snorvich · 01/08/2008, 05:48 AM

Add a refractometer so you can accurately measure salinity/specific gravity. I tend to buy upscale brands because I hate rebuying when the cheap ones fail. Others have a different approach.

01/06/2008, 06:52 PM	#1
aspinn Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada Northern BC Posts: 154	Brand New - What Do i Need? Hey guys! I have been researching over htep ast few months of freshwater aqariums but i finnaly had time to look into saltwater, lets just say im never going back =) i was planning on doing a 46gallon reef tank with a few fish, coral, some invertebrates but i have a bunch of questions about the supplies i need (in bold) also am i missing anything?? Tank/stand/hood - 46gallon Lights Live Rock Live Sand Skimmer (what is a good brand name) salt (what is a good/reliable brand?) heater thermometer/thingy that measures salinity) Test Kits (what do i need? whats a good brand?) Flow Jets (how many do i need? whats a good brand name?) am i missing anything? also do i need a sump? with this size of tank should i look at getting one or will it be fine without one as long as i have the skimmer and such? well thank you so much! cant wait to get to know all of you more!

01/06/2008, 07:35 PM	#3
cilyjr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 1,683	you are going to see a million opinions on the best brands thats for sure. you dont need a sump, but i found when i set up my 46 ( was my first tank) that it makes it easier. also it will hide unsightly equipment that will make viewing the tank more of a pleasure. i had my 46 drilled because i didn't want to trust a syphon overflow box. if you have a 46 bowfront by AGA you can drill the back not the bottom i had it done and it cost 20 a hole (you can drill it your self but my guy guaranteed his work so if it cracked free new tank). do you know what lights you want to use (VHO, T-5, MH)? as far as flow i used a MJ 1200 and a mag 5 running a closed loop and i had a mag 5 return from the sump. for about 1000gph give or take a bit because of head pressure. looking back though i would most likely just buy 2 korilia 3s. here are some threads that go into great detail on setting up for the first time. i have them bookmarked because i still find them useful for reference....good luck http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...99#post7989499 http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=239848 http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=550860 __________________ Cls Current Tank Info: 180 inwall, 75 sump, 20lfrag, 3x lumen max elite w/250w radium 20k, recirc modded asm g-3, aqua controller apex,2x rw-20, 350lbs LR

01/08/2008, 05:48 AM	#5
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	Add a refractometer so you can accurately measure salinity/specific gravity. I tend to buy upscale brands because I hate rebuying when the cheap ones fail. Others have a different approach. __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

01/06/2008, 07:15 PM	#2
zotzer Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 346	Hi Aspinn... I have a 46G reef, and all the details can be seen by clicking on the little red house above this post. I use a combination of test kits....Instant Ocean Master reef kit, Salifert Nitrate, Ammonia, Magnesium and Calcium test kits. As for salt, I use Reef Crystals, but you'll see lots of varying opinions on salt mixes. Have fun!!! Tracy

01/07/2008, 11:54 PM	#4
aspinn Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada Northern BC Posts: 154	sorry busy day =) thank you very very much for the links reading them now ciljr and tracy i lvoe your tank its looking great! =) halfway done the post lol and i have already found it helpful! thank you both of you (and if anyone has anything else to add please do i would appreciate it!) thanks!