65g FOWLR to Reef help

[Potterjg]

I have a 65g FOWLR tank that has minimal lighting i got with the tank for a good deal two years ago. I also have a prizm skimmer that is just okay but have to keep for $$$$ reasons. The filtration is an emperor pump that has done okay but i really want a sump, my skimmer will fit in and maybe do a hang on refugium. (Think I need a hang on cause not sure how to get critters in tank without going through pump. ) Sump has to be under tank in cabinet. Would love some tips. Hubby is going to help make the sump and maybe the refuge. Not paying LFS for a clear acrylic box. Noway not gonna do it. He is very good for a LFS guy. Helped so much when setting up 2 years ago. Will get my lights from him. Please give me some tips please please please.

[Doug1]

Welcome to TRT

Couple questions? Whats are the dimensions of your 65g tank?

What kinds of corals are you intersted in keeping, that will determine the type of lighting you will need.

Unhappily I don't think the Prizm is a good skimmer, esp for a 65g tank, maybe a nano, but you might think in terms of a serious upgrade in the future

Look back thru DIY forum, there are lots of threads regarding acrylic builds and lots of helpful tips that ought to be a great help to your SO

Enjoy

[Geoff]

Welcome to TRT!!



a good inexpensive sump is just a 20g long. much cheaper than a "true" sump and works just as well. getting the sump to accomodate the prizm will be annoying. you might want to look into building a skimmer. can be done for around $100.

have you thought about drilling the tank? drilling is more reliable than using overflows to get the water into the sump.

i am not a big fan of refugiums, so i would suggest not wasting any time/money on one of these.

G~

[Potterjg]

Yes I realize the skimmer is on the barely there side, but I had to start somewhere. The tank is 36x24x18. I have a very good amount of LR. It looks sooo great. Came with lots of critters even a sea cucumber. Not much sand in the bottom. mostly just there for looks. I always had a bad feeling about the whole DSB debate. I have thought about drilling and I am scared. I plan to take the hubby on a date to the LFS to show him how I want it done. They wont mind me letting him check out there reef tanks they have several. I am sure he can do it. As far as what I plan to put in the tank I will star with something easy and was going to let the LFS help with that. This store is more like a reef tank store. What do you suggest for starting off easy?
Sus

[darthteddy]

Softies and polyps are probablty the best way to go. Low lighting, look great, and are easy tp maintain. I started with them and it really helped me get the hang of maintaining a reef aquarium. Plus they are usually inexpensive compared to some other corals. As far as fish im not expert but id say damsels. Again easy to maintain look great and very inexpensive.
BTW Welcome to TRT.

[Geoff]

the only problem with damsels is that they are very aggressive. they make great tank inhabitants if that is all you want to keep in the tank. any other fish in the tank will be bullied.

G~

[Potterjg]

No Damsels here tried that and they do not play well with others.

I am going to build my own sump but am so limited on space I have to be carefull and cannot do anything cool like a basement sump or anything. The lighting seems to be very confusing for me. Am I going to have to spend 7 or 8 hundred to get a setup or what? I wish someone would just say okay get this and it will work.

When I can tear the hubby away from football we are going to discuss the skimmer DIY project. But I donot have the space for one that is three feet tall. Do you think I can scale down the size and get good results?

SUS