I have a 55-g freshwater tank that I want to convert to a saltwater reef tank....

mesa04 · 02/05/2007, 03:21 PM

What kind of equipment do I need in order to set up a saltwater reef tank? I.E. Filters, lighting, etc.

Do I need a sump/refugium?

Do I need a protein skimmer?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!

racrumrine · 02/05/2007, 03:31 PM

Welcome

Start reading through this thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1031074

After you have read a lot and map out what kind of critters you'd like to keep, then post your questions and we can help you.

Best of luck,

Roy

zoomfish1 · 02/05/2007, 04:11 PM

The very most important first thing to do is research. Both for the good of the system and your wallet. The above link is a good place to start.

Travis's thread is great if you want to DIY overflows and sumps and the like. If not, there are still good points in both threads.

Good luck. This is a great hobby, albiet expensive. Research so as not to waste (money that is) and the fragile live of our critters.

mesa04 · 02/05/2007, 04:17 PM

Thanks for the info!! I will read through the thread and get back to asking questions later.

Basically, I just want a reef tank with a few non-aggresive fish. I currently have a 55-g tank with very aggresive African Cichlids that are driving me crazy. I went with African Cichlids because of there vibrant colors and because they were the closest looking fish to saltwater fish.

If I want to stay in the hobby I need to switch to something that is more peaceful. It is very stressful looking at fish fight all the time and not being able to do something about it. I think a Reef Tank will look 100 times nicer than a freshwater tank with aggresive fish.

Thanks.

EWC88 · 02/05/2007, 05:00 PM

Yes you will love the Saltwater tank when it is all set up. But like the others say research as much as possible. The link is a good place to read and also I recommend after people recommended it to me is The Conscientious Marine Aquarist By Robert Fenner. Great book! I read it and I am so happy that I bought it. Worth the money. ( only 20 bucks at barnes and nobles ) But yes do as much research as possible! And can't wait to see your tank when its all done.

Have any question always post and you can PM me at anytime

mesa04 · 02/06/2007, 08:56 AM

Thanks for the help!!! I have a friend who has a 72-g SW Reef tank that is coming over to my house tonight. He's been in the hobby for about 4 yrs now and it seems like he will be a valuable asset for me during my upcoming project. He knows the ups and downs pretty well, so he'll tell me what I need to purchase to get started. It seems like it can get quite expensive when you start buying lights, skimmer, live rock, sand, and a wet/dry filter. I'm willing to spend the extra $1,000 to have my tank up and running with something everyone in my household can enjoy.

Thanks.

cdangel0 · 02/06/2007, 09:06 AM

Just out of curiosity - what are you doing with the cichlids?

mesa04 · 02/06/2007, 09:12 AM

I'm trying to sell them, but if I can't sell them I'll give them to my local fish farm. I also have a 30-g tank with some Cichlids as well. I must have a total of 30 fish total. I don't know exactly which kinds I have, but I have some real nice ones! I spent well over $200 for these fish.

SgJsg35 · 02/06/2007, 12:00 PM

I agree with the book ECW88 recomends I have it and it helped me a lot. My 50 was once home to South American Cichlids and catfish. The New Marine Aquarium by Michael S. Paletta Is also a good one thats very easy to understand.

ratherbediving · 02/06/2007, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mesa04
Thanks for the info!! I will read through the thread and get back to asking questions later.

Basically, I just want a reef tank with a few non-aggresive fish. I currently have a 55-g tank with very aggresive African Cichlids that are driving me crazy. I went with African Cichlids because of there vibrant colors and because they were the closest looking fish to saltwater fish.

If I want to stay in the hobby I need to switch to something that is more peaceful. It is very stressful looking at fish fight all the time and not being able to do something about it. I think a Reef Tank will look 100 times nicer than a freshwater tank with aggresive fish.

Thanks.

That's pretty much the same setup on my 55 gallon before I switched to SW. I really liked the African cichlids, but wanted to try something new (and my wife nixed my getting another tank). I am glad I made the switch. I will say that there is a big difference between a reef tank versus a FOWLR (Fish only with live rock). With saltwater fish, you can have fewer fish in the same size tank versus a freshwater tank. If you want to keep corals, you are going to need to keep even fewer.

Sk8r · 02/06/2007, 02:54 PM

I have that size tank, a reef with peaceful fishes. I just switched out my skimmer: the Urchin is adequate for that size, but I ended up getting its bigger brother, the Aqua C EV120, which uses a way larger pump, and this is going to make life so much better.

Pretty well what you'll be able to use is the tank itself, maybe your light kit. My own advice: get a HOB [hangon] downflow box and put a 30 gallon sump underneath. I have only a 10, and I'd kill for more sump. It helps with aeration [combined with skimmer] for the oxygen requirements of the fish you want to keep, makes a place to let additives mix before hitting your tank---is a place to store fish that you caught but can't get back to the store until tomorrow, etc.

Second recommendation: ditch any filter in favor of a pound of live rock per gallon, with sand that will liven after breakin. THis is way more efficient than any storebought filter.

There are a lot of very bright non-aggressive fish. Look at Gobies, for one. Don't hesitate if you want corals: there are quite a few easy keepers that like less light than mh: choose the right species of fish and you don't have them noshing on the corals; but if you want butterflies or angels, best stay out of the coral market.

mesa04 · 02/06/2007, 04:48 PM

SK8R,

Thanks for the tips!! Are you saying that I should use my 30 gallon tank as a sump. My only worry is that my cabinet is not even large enough to store a 10 gallon sump, much less a 30 gallon sump. Is this size sump really necessary for a 55 gallon tank. I was looking to buy a Hang-On Refugium with a built in Protein Skimmer because of the limited space under my cabinet. Is this a good idea?

Basically, I want to keep it pretty simple, even though I know I will have some additional chores compared to my freshwater setup. I just want maybe 3 or 4 non-aggresive fish and the rest soft & hard corals. I was planning to purchase about 65 lbs. of live rock and sand. Is this amount of live rock adequate for a 55-g setup?

I must say, I wasn't expecting this much input from all you generous reef lovers!!

Thank you once again.

zoomfish1 · 02/06/2007, 05:05 PM

Most times you will certainly get more info than you wanted, whether good or bad, lol. 65 lbs sould be good for 55g. General rule of thumb is 1-1.5lbs per gallon. Hang on fuge would also be fine. Anywhere to harbor the good critters that help our tanks bio system to flourish is good. You don't need a sump, they're just nice to have for macro algeas and a place to hide heaters, skimmers, etc..

Most important advice anyone here will give you is first, research (like you are doing now) and have the patience not to go too quickly. Nothing good happens fast in Saltwater.

Sk8r · 02/06/2007, 05:15 PM

Now, in the way of things in RC, I have a similar but skewed opinion: I get along without a refugium, even with a mandarin, [wish I could have a refugium, but due to space constraints and corner tank, can't manage it in this incarnation.] But the sump I just can't live without. My poor dinky sump begins to look like a tower of water: first chamber, 8" waterfall, a little live rock, and my skimmer return pump, a mag 5; next chamber, all but 4" of it taken up by towering skimmer that actually holds more water than the sump chamber did. Next 2" chamber holds the heater, which has become nearly superfluous with all those pumps; and the next over is the return pump chamber, which is a mag 9.5 that barely fits. It's busy in there, but water does move.

And your live rock proposal is good.

mesa04 · 02/06/2007, 06:06 PM

I'm definately not in a hurry to setup my reef tank. I want to make sure that I have everything covered before I begin my setup. I noticed that when I rushed to setup my freshwater aquarium I spent an unnecessary amount of money on extra stuff that I really never needed.

I know that everyone has their own opinions on the way reef tanks should be setup, but I am making sure that I absorb most of this information so that the same problem that I had with my freshwater aquarium setup doesn't happen again. This will be an ongoing project for me, but I want to make sure that I have everything I need to setup the tank properly. I just quit smoking cigarettes, so this will help me get over the cravings. It's been 4 weeks now and I feel great. If any of you are smokers, I strongly suggest the patch (Nicoderm CQ) it's worked wonders for me! I've tried everything you could think of and the only thing that has worked for me is the patch. The reef tank will help me relax when I get stressed out with work and stuff, so I am very anxious to have all I need to get started.

Keep the tips coming, I am going to need all the help I can get. I promise to show you guys the finished project when I'm done!

Thanks.

Sk8r · 02/06/2007, 06:14 PM

Just a shopping tip: well, a couple of shopping tips. You can get quality equipment cheaper via the for-sale forum on RC.

And take a walk through the liveaquaria site among the sponsors, ditto reefer madness, and some of the others that have really good sites----you'll find features that talk about fish and corals and how they behave and how big they grow. This is useful, because you'll be somewhat limited in size in a 50, but there are many, many colorful species that are a lot of fun. Take a look, for instance, at the 'nanofish' category: lots of lively types.

ratherbediving · 02/06/2007, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mesa04
SK8R,

Thanks for the tips!! Are you saying that I should use my 30 gallon tank as a sump. My only worry is that my cabinet is not even large enough to store a 10 gallon sump, much less a 30 gallon sump. Is this size sump really necessary for a 55 gallon tank. I was looking to buy a Hang-On Refugium with a built in Protein Skimmer because of the limited space under my cabinet. Is this a good idea?
...

I would advise against the hang on refugium with a built in protein skimmer. IF it is what I think it is, the protein skimmer that it comes with is sub-par, to say the least.

I understand you may not be able to get a sump with limited room. If I could do it all over again, I'd have a 75 gallon tank. That 18 inches front to back would be amazing! As it is, I shelled out $150 for a custom sump. It is definitely nice to have, but not absolutely necessary.

I'd look at getting a good hang on skimmer first. The Aqua C Remora pro is pretty well regarded for a HOB and should be a good cantidate.

If you have the funds, then you can look into getting a separate HOB refugium.

HTH

02/05/2007, 03:21 PM	#1
mesa04 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 6	I have a 55-g freshwater tank that I want to convert to a saltwater reef tank.... What kind of equipment do I need in order to set up a saltwater reef tank? I.E. Filters, lighting, etc. Do I need a sump/refugium? Do I need a protein skimmer? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!! __________________ Alex Mesas Current Tank Info: 55-g & 30-g Freshwater aquarium with Cichids.

02/05/2007, 04:11 PM	#3
zoomfish1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Claremore, Oklahoma Posts: 1,659	The very most important first thing to do is research. Both for the good of the system and your wallet. The above link is a good place to start. Travis's thread is great if you want to DIY overflows and sumps and the like. If not, there are still good points in both threads. Good luck. This is a great hobby, albiet expensive. Research so as not to waste (money that is) and the fragile live of our critters. __________________ Zoomfish Current Tank Info: 75g RR, dsb w/90 lbs sand, 150 lb live rock, anemone & LPS tank

02/05/2007, 04:17 PM	#4
mesa04 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 6	Thanks for the info!! I will read through the thread and get back to asking questions later. Basically, I just want a reef tank with a few non-aggresive fish. I currently have a 55-g tank with very aggresive African Cichlids that are driving me crazy. I went with African Cichlids because of there vibrant colors and because they were the closest looking fish to saltwater fish. If I want to stay in the hobby I need to switch to something that is more peaceful. It is very stressful looking at fish fight all the time and not being able to do something about it. I think a Reef Tank will look 100 times nicer than a freshwater tank with aggresive fish. Thanks. __________________ Alex Mesas Current Tank Info: 55-g & 30-g Freshwater aquarium with Cichids.

02/06/2007, 08:56 AM	#6
mesa04 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 6	Thanks for the help!!! I have a friend who has a 72-g SW Reef tank that is coming over to my house tonight. He's been in the hobby for about 4 yrs now and it seems like he will be a valuable asset for me during my upcoming project. He knows the ups and downs pretty well, so he'll tell me what I need to purchase to get started. It seems like it can get quite expensive when you start buying lights, skimmer, live rock, sand, and a wet/dry filter. I'm willing to spend the extra $1,000 to have my tank up and running with something everyone in my household can enjoy. Thanks. __________________ Alex Mesas Current Tank Info: 55-g & 30-g Freshwater aquarium with Cichids.

02/06/2007, 09:12 AM	#8
mesa04 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 6	I'm trying to sell them, but if I can't sell them I'll give them to my local fish farm. I also have a 30-g tank with some Cichlids as well. I must have a total of 30 fish total. I don't know exactly which kinds I have, but I have some real nice ones! I spent well over $200 for these fish. __________________ Alex Mesas Current Tank Info: 55-g & 30-g Freshwater aquarium with Cichids.

02/05/2007, 03:31 PM	#2
racrumrine Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: San Francisco Posts: 2,290	Welcome Start reading through this thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1031074 After you have read a lot and map out what kind of critters you'd like to keep, then post your questions and we can help you. Best of luck, Roy

02/05/2007, 05:00 PM	#5
EWC88 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,114	Yes you will love the Saltwater tank when it is all set up. But like the others say research as much as possible. The link is a good place to read and also I recommend after people recommended it to me is The Conscientious Marine Aquarist By Robert Fenner. Great book! I read it and I am so happy that I bought it. Worth the money. ( only 20 bucks at barnes and nobles ) But yes do as much research as possible! And can't wait to see your tank when its all done. Have any question always post and you can PM me at anytime

02/06/2007, 09:06 AM	#7
cdangel0 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Delaware Posts: 905	Just out of curiosity - what are you doing with the cichlids?

02/06/2007, 12:00 PM	#9
SgJsg35 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Steeler Country Posts: 218	I agree with the book ECW88 recomends I have it and it helped me a lot. My 50 was once home to South American Cichlids and catfish. The New Marine Aquarium by Michael S. Paletta Is also a good one thats very easy to understand. __________________ hadooun haqil khairun min sadiqin jaahil Current Tank Info: 50 gal.(50-60lbs LR) Eibl's Angelfish,Sixline Wrasse,Lunare Wrasse,Orchid Dottyback,Blacktail Dascyllus,Neon Goby,Banded Coral Shrimp,Emerald Crab,a few Snails & Hermits

02/06/2007, 02:54 PM	#11
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	I have that size tank, a reef with peaceful fishes. I just switched out my skimmer: the Urchin is adequate for that size, but I ended up getting its bigger brother, the Aqua C EV120, which uses a way larger pump, and this is going to make life so much better. Pretty well what you'll be able to use is the tank itself, maybe your light kit. My own advice: get a HOB [hangon] downflow box and put a 30 gallon sump underneath. I have only a 10, and I'd kill for more sump. It helps with aeration [combined with skimmer] for the oxygen requirements of the fish you want to keep, makes a place to let additives mix before hitting your tank---is a place to store fish that you caught but can't get back to the store until tomorrow, etc. Second recommendation: ditch any filter in favor of a pound of live rock per gallon, with sand that will liven after breakin. THis is way more efficient than any storebought filter. There are a lot of very bright non-aggressive fish. Look at Gobies, for one. Don't hesitate if you want corals: there are quite a few easy keepers that like less light than mh: choose the right species of fish and you don't have them noshing on the corals; but if you want butterflies or angels, best stay out of the coral market. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%. Last edited by Sk8r; 02/06/2007 at 03:08 PM.

02/06/2007, 04:48 PM	#12
mesa04 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 6	SK8R, Thanks for the tips!! Are you saying that I should use my 30 gallon tank as a sump. My only worry is that my cabinet is not even large enough to store a 10 gallon sump, much less a 30 gallon sump. Is this size sump really necessary for a 55 gallon tank. I was looking to buy a Hang-On Refugium with a built in Protein Skimmer because of the limited space under my cabinet. Is this a good idea? Basically, I want to keep it pretty simple, even though I know I will have some additional chores compared to my freshwater setup. I just want maybe 3 or 4 non-aggresive fish and the rest soft & hard corals. I was planning to purchase about 65 lbs. of live rock and sand. Is this amount of live rock adequate for a 55-g setup? I must say, I wasn't expecting this much input from all you generous reef lovers!! Thank you once again. __________________ Alex Mesas Current Tank Info: 55-g & 30-g Freshwater aquarium with Cichids.

02/06/2007, 05:05 PM	#13
zoomfish1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Claremore, Oklahoma Posts: 1,659	Most times you will certainly get more info than you wanted, whether good or bad, lol. 65 lbs sould be good for 55g. General rule of thumb is 1-1.5lbs per gallon. Hang on fuge would also be fine. Anywhere to harbor the good critters that help our tanks bio system to flourish is good. You don't need a sump, they're just nice to have for macro algeas and a place to hide heaters, skimmers, etc.. Most important advice anyone here will give you is first, research (like you are doing now) and have the patience not to go too quickly. Nothing good happens fast in Saltwater. __________________ Zoomfish Current Tank Info: 75g RR, dsb w/90 lbs sand, 150 lb live rock, anemone & LPS tank

02/06/2007, 05:15 PM	#14
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Now, in the way of things in RC, I have a similar but skewed opinion: I get along without a refugium, even with a mandarin, [wish I could have a refugium, but due to space constraints and corner tank, can't manage it in this incarnation.] But the sump I just can't live without. My poor dinky sump begins to look like a tower of water: first chamber, 8" waterfall, a little live rock, and my skimmer return pump, a mag 5; next chamber, all but 4" of it taken up by towering skimmer that actually holds more water than the sump chamber did. Next 2" chamber holds the heater, which has become nearly superfluous with all those pumps; and the next over is the return pump chamber, which is a mag 9.5 that barely fits. It's busy in there, but water does move. And your live rock proposal is good. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

02/06/2007, 06:06 PM	#15
mesa04 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 6	I'm definately not in a hurry to setup my reef tank. I want to make sure that I have everything covered before I begin my setup. I noticed that when I rushed to setup my freshwater aquarium I spent an unnecessary amount of money on extra stuff that I really never needed. I know that everyone has their own opinions on the way reef tanks should be setup, but I am making sure that I absorb most of this information so that the same problem that I had with my freshwater aquarium setup doesn't happen again. This will be an ongoing project for me, but I want to make sure that I have everything I need to setup the tank properly. I just quit smoking cigarettes, so this will help me get over the cravings. It's been 4 weeks now and I feel great. If any of you are smokers, I strongly suggest the patch (Nicoderm CQ) it's worked wonders for me! I've tried everything you could think of and the only thing that has worked for me is the patch. The reef tank will help me relax when I get stressed out with work and stuff, so I am very anxious to have all I need to get started. Keep the tips coming, I am going to need all the help I can get. I promise to show you guys the finished project when I'm done! Thanks. __________________ Alex Mesas Current Tank Info: 55-g & 30-g Freshwater aquarium with Cichids.

02/06/2007, 06:14 PM	#16
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Just a shopping tip: well, a couple of shopping tips. You can get quality equipment cheaper via the for-sale forum on RC. And take a walk through the liveaquaria site among the sponsors, ditto reefer madness, and some of the others that have really good sites----you'll find features that talk about fish and corals and how they behave and how big they grow. This is useful, because you'll be somewhat limited in size in a 50, but there are many, many colorful species that are a lot of fun. Take a look, for instance, at the 'nanofish' category: lots of lively types. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.