Completely New to Saltwater Tanks

[Sphinx]

Hi guys,

I've been looking to convert my current (boring) 75Gal tank into a reef! Unfortunately, when it comes to reef and saltwater tanks i'm still learning. So i have a couple questions!

1. Can i use ANY of the current equipment i have?

and 2. What equipment would i need!? Whats the BEST/cheapest equipment you recommend ?

(Current Freshwater equipment: Canister Filter, HOB filter, Heater, thermometer, Air pump)

 

[hernandez101]

Get a drilled tank or an overrflow and buy a sump get rid of canister

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[ReefRiley]

Get a drilled tank or an overrflow and buy a sump get rid of canister

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This is very true. When I was 12 I started my first tank and used all my freshwater stuff. That was a disaster. My next tank was a 40breeder. Perfect tank and I had made my own sump and it was solid. I have upgraded 4 times in 5 years and that's pretty common. Maybe you want to start with a larger tank than you plan on to save money in the future.

 

[Six2seven]

Hey max, welcome to the forum. Glad you decided to go reef and glad to have you here. When you start thinking of all of the things that it takes to make a reef, you can get overwhelmed with costs. This is an expensive hobby but you can easily get your feet wet and try a few things to see if this is what you want for your tank.

As long as you did not use any copper or chemicals in your tank for parasite treatment you should be able to use what you have.

It is most beneficial to use a sump (tank that goes under your tank) as your primary filter. In the sump is where you can add a skimmer, heater and any other type of filtration to keep it out of the main tank which would cause an eyesore.

This is a great forum to learn so ask any question you might have and people would love to answer you.

 

[Sphinx]

Thanks Guys! i guess i'm going Sump. Any idea what i'll need if i want a simple reef setup with beginner corals, no SPS or any difficult corals

 

[bobstir]

i think many people, including your LFS, will recommend xenia or GSP as a good starter coral. I strongly recommend AGAINST putting them in your tank as they grow like weeds and can quickly take over the tank if you're not careful. If you do decide to get them, it would be a good idea to isolate them to an area where they cannot spread (an island perhaps).

By the way, there are other good beginner corals such as birdsnest and pocillopora. They are SPS, but are actually pretty easy to keep. Montiporas are pretty easy as well, but those can also consume a tank pretty rapidly.

good luck!

 

[nueok]

You wouldn't need an air pump. But yes, if you want to use your current tank you can convert it to use a sump. There are some hang on back returns you can buy from places like marine depot.

My first coral was a frogspawn and it's flourishing. But for some reason I cannot keep a xenia alive in my tank.

 

[Patt]

I used my Aquaclear 50 HOB from my freshwater setup as a little fuge with chaeto until I read that chaeto in a small tank like mine is pretty much useless. You can always just use the HOB as more filtration (floss, Purigen, GFO, etc.) You definitely wanna use the thermometer and the heater. Canister and air pump I can't think of any uses for. I guess you can use the air pump as a visual thing. Dunno how useful it is in oxygenating the water though. Anyone know the science to explain if it does or doesn't (not to hijack your thread).

 

[fishn49ers]

I used my Aquaclear 50 HOB from my freshwater setup as a little fuge with chaeto until I read that chaeto in a small tank like mine is pretty much useless. You can always just use the HOB as more filtration (floss, Purigen, GFO, etc.) You definitely wanna use the thermometer and the heater. Canister and air pump I can't think of any uses for. I guess you can use the air pump as a visual thing. Dunno how useful it is in oxygenating the water though. Anyone know the science to explain if it does or doesn't (not to hijack your thread).

gas exhange at water surface(more agitation more surface area and flow and movement of particles, also air pumps create flow by disturbing water and create a reverse siphon effect, look up diy skimmers to get an idea of what air pumps can do.