I just bought a 75 gallon tank and that's about all I know...

Ryanrttu · 05/04/2014, 12:38 AM

Saltwater, 75 gallon... I've only watched about 5 youtube videos on set up and changing water at this point but am an avid learner and ready to get this up and running. Also, I am moving the tank to a less window location as that is clearly important from what I've read. What you see in the picture is all I have at the moment and I'm going to take it slow getting everything and learning as much as I can. I spent a pretty penny on this tank so I'd like to get everything else I need for a good price (but I want quality and will pay) and I'm sure just like everything else it's cheaper to buy on the internet.

I imagine this website gets these questions ALL THE TIME but I need some guidance at this point on equipment. So for now, I'd love to be pointed in the right direction on what else I need and where to get it.

Thank you in advance!

Reefer54 · 05/04/2014, 01:00 AM

The first thing(s) you should buy are a couple good books.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...ght=literature

as you do this, start developing a plan for what kind of tank you want (inhabitants, upkeep) and what your conditions are going to require from you (chiller if it gets stupid hot in your home or maybe you will need it because of MH lighting, if its super dry you may want a large ATO resevoir). then start researching before you buy anything. Beware a "great deal"

Rocks and sand:
Marco Rocks . com

Start looking at build threads adn aquascape threads. you will see there is a nothing more important than setting up your tank with a solid plan and not cutting corners.

For now:
Buy a couple books.
look into a sump and refugium....they will make your tank maintenance and stability so much easier!
Buy some Rock if you are going to start with dry rock. if you go the LR route, wait until you are really ready and start shopping around....BEWARE the good deal.
Start researching:
Lights (i like kessils...the 360we is sick), but more importantly, research wavelength, kelvin, par, pur, etc.
Skimmers: again, based on bioload and feeding and waste, lights and skimmer are two things not to find a "great deal" on.
Believe it or not, you will learn more about sand than you ever knew you could (particle sise, how much, what happens in it. Why not crushed coral, etc)

But start with the books.
also start reading quality lit and not just peoples' opinions here at RC (not to undermind the quality you can get here, you just will find a LOT of differing opinions which often confuses newbies.)

www.advancedaquarist.com

But welcome. Have fun, good luck, research research.

Reefer54 · 05/04/2014, 01:02 AM

The best virtue you can have venturing in this hobby is PATIENCE. No amount of money will justify your frustration if you can not be patient and learn what you are doing, why you are doing it, and what you want to happen from doing it.

When in doubt, research. When you are almost positive, research.

Newsmyrna80 · 05/04/2014, 07:11 AM

Agree with Reefer54. As far as equipment everyone has their preferences. What works for one may not work for another. Don't skimp on a skimmer or lighting. I would recommend checking out RC Used Equipment forum. You can get some great deals. Also recommend WWM.com for research. Bob has a lot of great info on that website. In this hobby you will know a little bit about plumbing, electricity, chemistry, diseases,microbiology, lighting, and you are always learning. IME the most important part of this hobby is quarantining.
I applauded you for researching first and not diving in head first. Welcome to the hobby!

shesacharmer · 05/04/2014, 11:24 AM

Like you, I just acquired my first SW 75 g setup but mine was an entire up and running system where I'll be transporting all the water, LR, LS, sump and three damsels (two of which I probably won't keep.)

It's very exciting, a bit overwhelming, but what a learning experience! I try to pick a topic each day and read from many different sources but I find it tough to stick to my topic for the day...everything leads me off on another interesting tangent.

I have decided to do a reef tank with peaceful species that don't get too big and while I will likely revise my list the fish will be the last things I add. I'm starting out with a cleanup crew and adding lights and algae to my sump to make it a refugium.

It might be fun to compare notes as we go along and I look forward to seeing your updates as you progress. Happy fishkeeping!

Sk8r · 05/04/2014, 11:31 AM

We have some very specific how-to stickies up at the top of this forum which won't cost you a dime and which may save you a bundle. Which lights is an immensely important question. A 75 can actually be better at corals than at fish, if you have the right lights. A skimmer is fairly important; a sump, with corals, pretty much a must for stony. I'd recommend a 30 gallon sump with a 75.

Ryanrttu · 05/04/2014, 11:58 AM

Thank you all! I'm thinking about going to a 50 gallon. Would have done that from the get go but the guy at the fish gallery sold me on lack of knowledge on my side and that I had to have no smaller than a 75 gallon tank. I'm not getting into any corral anytime soon, just want a nice, easier, pretty tank.

Thoughts on going to a 50 gallon and some pros and cons of each? I do know it takes longer to cycle w/a 75 but could be better for a beginner like me as far as judging the water levels.

This tank is on a second story and I'm nervous about the time consumption and process of water changing, especially if I have to do it on the second floor.

ahmed_iAM · 05/04/2014, 12:06 PM

If you're going to go the dry rock I'd put reefrocks.net in the fix. I love the shelf pieces they have available. Also sand 40lb sand if $15 with purchase of 25lb plus of dry rock. 50lb dry dock is $85.

05/04/2014, 01:00 AM	#2
Reefer54 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Avon Posts: 1,087	The first thing(s) you should buy are a couple good books. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...ght=literature as you do this, start developing a plan for what kind of tank you want (inhabitants, upkeep) and what your conditions are going to require from you (chiller if it gets stupid hot in your home or maybe you will need it because of MH lighting, if its super dry you may want a large ATO resevoir). then start researching before you buy anything. Beware a "great deal" Rocks and sand: Marco Rocks . com Start looking at build threads adn aquascape threads. you will see there is a nothing more important than setting up your tank with a solid plan and not cutting corners. For now: Buy a couple books. look into a sump and refugium....they will make your tank maintenance and stability so much easier! Buy some Rock if you are going to start with dry rock. if you go the LR route, wait until you are really ready and start shopping around....BEWARE the good deal. Start researching: Lights (i like kessils...the 360we is sick), but more importantly, research wavelength, kelvin, par, pur, etc. Skimmers: again, based on bioload and feeding and waste, lights and skimmer are two things not to find a "great deal" on. Believe it or not, you will learn more about sand than you ever knew you could (particle sise, how much, what happens in it. Why not crushed coral, etc) But start with the books. also start reading quality lit and not just peoples' opinions here at RC (not to undermind the quality you can get here, you just will find a LOT of differing opinions which often confuses newbies.) www.advancedaquarist.com But welcome. Have fun, good luck, research research. __________________ R54 Current Tank Info: 36 x 36 x 25 Cube, mixed reef, A360WE x 3, A350N x 1, 40GB sump, RDSB, Remote LR Cryptic, 2 WP-40's, ummm....

05/04/2014, 01:02 AM	#3
Reefer54 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Avon Posts: 1,087	The best virtue you can have venturing in this hobby is PATIENCE. No amount of money will justify your frustration if you can not be patient and learn what you are doing, why you are doing it, and what you want to happen from doing it. When in doubt, research. When you are almost positive, research. __________________ R54 Current Tank Info: 36 x 36 x 25 Cube, mixed reef, A360WE x 3, A350N x 1, 40GB sump, RDSB, Remote LR Cryptic, 2 WP-40's, ummm....

05/04/2014, 07:11 AM	#4
Newsmyrna80 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Florida Posts: 2,312	Agree with Reefer54. As far as equipment everyone has their preferences. What works for one may not work for another. Don't skimp on a skimmer or lighting. I would recommend checking out RC Used Equipment forum. You can get some great deals. Also recommend WWM.com for research. Bob has a lot of great info on that website. In this hobby you will know a little bit about plumbing, electricity, chemistry, diseases,microbiology, lighting, and you are always learning. IME the most important part of this hobby is quarantining. I applauded you for researching first and not diving in head first. Welcome to the hobby! __________________ 80 gal frag with 30 gal refugium, Orphek Atlantik LED, Red Sea RSK300 skimmer, predominately SPS and LPS Current Tank Info: 80 gallon reef tank with 30 gal refugium

05/04/2014, 11:31 AM	#6
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	We have some very specific how-to stickies up at the top of this forum which won't cost you a dime and which may save you a bundle. Which lights is an immensely important question. A 75 can actually be better at corals than at fish, if you have the right lights. A skimmer is fairly important; a sump, with corals, pretty much a must for stony. I'd recommend a 30 gallon sump with a 75. __________________ 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%.

05/04/2014, 11:58 AM	#7
Ryanrttu Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: San Francisco / North Beach Posts: 394	Thank you all! I'm thinking about going to a 50 gallon. Would have done that from the get go but the guy at the fish gallery sold me on lack of knowledge on my side and that I had to have no smaller than a 75 gallon tank. I'm not getting into any corral anytime soon, just want a nice, easier, pretty tank. Thoughts on going to a 50 gallon and some pros and cons of each? I do know it takes longer to cycle w/a 75 but could be better for a beginner like me as far as judging the water levels. This tank is on a second story and I'm nervous about the time consumption and process of water changing, especially if I have to do it on the second floor. Last edited by Ryanrttu; 05/04/2014 at 12:07 PM.

05/04/2014, 11:24 AM	#5
shesacharmer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Central NH Posts: 1,241	Like you, I just acquired my first SW 75 g setup but mine was an entire up and running system where I'll be transporting all the water, LR, LS, sump and three damsels (two of which I probably won't keep.) It's very exciting, a bit overwhelming, but what a learning experience! I try to pick a topic each day and read from many different sources but I find it tough to stick to my topic for the day...everything leads me off on another interesting tangent. I have decided to do a reef tank with peaceful species that don't get too big and while I will likely revise my list the fish will be the last things I add. I'm starting out with a cleanup crew and adding lights and algae to my sump to make it a refugium. It might be fun to compare notes as we go along and I look forward to seeing your updates as you progress. Happy fishkeeping!

05/04/2014, 12:06 PM	#8
ahmed_iAM Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 419	If you're going to go the dry rock I'd put reefrocks.net in the fix. I love the shelf pieces they have available. Also sand 40lb sand if $15 with purchase of 25lb plus of dry rock. 50lb dry dock is $85.