Newbie to reef tanks

[mfarrier]

Hey all,
I have always wanted to set up a reef tank
I have 2 freshwater fish tanks with fish that have lived for over 2 years.
of course little by little the fish change but I want a reef tank

I bartered for a 55 gallon aquarium that was set up for saltwater.
I am going through all the stuff I was given in the next few days.
could anyone help point me in the right direction.
also any good books someone would recommend.
I am researching on the internet as well.

I will post up here in the next week what I have and if someone would tell me what it is or is not good for then I would greatly appreciate it.

thanks
Mike
clover, sc

[Seamore]

Welcom Mike, there are alot of knowledgable people that will be happy to get you moving in the right direction. best advice for now is go slow, try to post pics of what you have, and try read up and formulate what you are wanting to keep in the tank once your done. there are many type of corals with dif. needs, so knowing where you are headed will let you build to that end, also help folks on TRT give you goood advice to that same end.

[mfarrier]

ok after a little research I have found I have the following items
55 gallon tank (48 12"L X 12 1/2"W X 20" Deep)
I have two light hoods 1- 48" long 120v 40 w 1- 36" long 120v 38 w
48" bulb is cool white 40 w 36" bulb is coralife 10,000k f30 t12 BP ????
super daylight??????
I know lighting is important and I am researching this more
I have 2 side mounted t3 energizer suction style filters like I use in my freshwater tanks.
I have a marineland magnum 350 canister filter and two brand new carbon containers
I have two filtermax pre-filters
I have two protein skimmers 22v venturi type with only one pump ?
http://www.aqualifesupport.com/getDetail.php?ID=864445 (picture of it)
I have two air pumps with tubing and aeration stones (good ones with double outputs)
I have two submersible heaters 100w visotherm

I also have the following test kits:
phosphate,alkalinity,saltwater ph, salinity, (I also have ammonia, nitrate,KH, and GH
I use with my freswater kits)

[mfarrier]

As for what I am looking for as far as fish or living reef I have no real idea
I would like to start simply and with something hardy
then when I get the hang of it maybe move on to something more dynamic or that catches my eye.

[mfarrier]

wow lots of info on this site.
so far I see I need Lighting and lots of it.metal halide vs flour?
also need to get some power sprayers
whats a wave timer?
I am looking to build a sump system that I can set my protein skimmer right into so that might be a challenge its pretty tall
I will also have to make an overflow chamber or buy the hang on tank type so anyones opinion on that ?
do I need a UV sterilizer ?

[Loverotties]

Hi!
A wave timer times out two or more pumps so the flow from on side to the other is diffent(one side on as the other is off) creatting waves.You don't need the UV,but it is a good thing to have.

[mfarrier]

how about a ro/di unit is this just necessary to get the initial water in the tank right?
or with the other aquariums I have (2 freshie tanks) would it be worth the 100-150 it looks like it would cost to get one?

[Fat Tony]

Hey Mike, yes it would be worth the purchase of an RODI unit. you will save yourself money and alot of headaches in the longrun. BTW, you have a very active club in Charlotte. you can visit them at http://www.rasoc.org/

[mfarrier]

after much hard work and a chunk of money I have started small
this is a pic of what I have so far.

[mfarrier]

more pics sorry about the poor photos but I am no photographer.

[mfarrier]

I added a pair of nessie snails (sand sifters and algae eaters)
and one scarlet hermit crab.

[SCHEITHE]

welcome to TRT! we are always here to help!

[mfarrier]

thanks got it

[mfarrier]

Fintastic a LFS near me had a buy 2 get 1 free sale.
So I spent $40 and bought a cleanup crew
2 scarlet hermits total
1 emerald green crab
1 blue leg hermit
5 nassarius snails
3 turbo snails
and some macro algae for my sump.
I read the rule of thumb is
1 crab per 10 gallons
1 snail per 2-4 gallons

I was wondering do I just go by aquarium size or buy water amount.
IE include the 15 gallons in my sump.
I added live rock this week also from someones existing tank.

thanks

[adamthe55galreefer]

hey man i got a 55 to trust me you are well on your way
ow and a couple of fis you might want to concider

1 male 1 female clownfish [add second]

1 lawnmower blenney [add first]

1 flame angel [add last]

2 cardinal [add third]

a good book is NATURAL REEF AQUARIUMS SIMPLIFIED APPROACHES TO CREATING LIVING SALT WATER MICROCOSMS BY JOHN H. TULLOCK read this mans book before adding coral or fish it hellped me alot