I have a 45 gallon tank that I am thinking of going with Saltwater. I have done a few searches on the board and across the web. Could you guys help me out with what I should go with as far as equipment. Also, could you explain what each item will do and why it is better than the next. I know it is a big request, but thats why I came to you guys instead of the LFS (most of the time they tell you what they want to sell vrs what you really need). I was thinking Live Rock with a few fish and maybe dome corals also. Thank you inadvance for your help with this small matter.
Weedy
:welcome:
Grins has put together nice "Advice to Newbies" section of her blog here. It's chocked full of fishy goodness! Very helpful...and there are a couple of good stickies in the Newbie forum as well.
Hope this helps!
Robbie
I would reccomend some vho lighting, and possibly a chiller... I dunno... if the temp seem to get too high b cuz of the lighting, get a chiller. get a very nice filter too. try getting a canister filter, if you want a refugium, its optional, as well as a protein skimmer. I have a reef tank and mine does fine without a skimmer.Oh, and a heater too.
VHO lighting - stands for very high output lighting, and it goes well if you are gonna keep some lps or soft corals. if you are planning on some sps corals, get a metal halide light.
chiller- only needed if the temp gets too high. (above 80 degrees F)
canister filter- just the same old thing, with a hight flow rate. efficient b cuz of the huge canister shape (more filter media)
refugium- a place that is connected to the main display tank where you can keep an array of macroalgea for phosphate removal, and keep some microorganisms. ( not needed, optional)
protein skimmer- not needed if you do not over feed your fish, and keep up with the water changes. a protein skimmer uses fine airbubbles to remove organic weaste. (optional as well)
Hi there, Welcome!!! Come to the salty side for sure!
You will need something to filter the water. In SW this can be live rock, a hang on the back filter, a sump/refugium, a canister filter, etc. If I had the money and space I would go with live rock in the tank and a sump with regugium below the tank.
You will probably need something to clean the top of the water and warehouse bacteria/cleaning agent. Protein skimmers do the job.
You will need adequate lighting...especially if you are going to have corals. T5 lights are good...better than other sorts of lights but not as expensive as the "gold ticket" of lights - metal halides.
You'll put between 1-2lbs of live rock per gallon in the tank.
You'll need something to move the water around...again, especially if you are going to have corals. Most people use powerheads. Koralia makes really good ones.
You'll need a substrate (at least most people use them). Don't buy crushed coral no matter what your local fish place tells you. Live sand is the way to go. You'll have to choose if you want a shallow or deep sand bed. Advantages and disadvantages to both.
You'll need a heater (Titanium is best I think) and maybe a chiller depending on how hot it gets where you live. Since my hubby keeps our house freezing, the heater is most important for us.
Hope this helps to get you started. It's a great and exciting hobby.
Thanks for the help so far. A few questions, first "Refugium"? What will be the difference between deep sand bed and shallow (aside from the obviose)? At what temp do you need to go with a chiller?
Thanks again.
Weedy
Thanks for the help so far. A few questions, first "Refugium"? What will be the difference between deep sand bed and shallow (aside from the obviose)? At what temp do you need to go with a chiller?
Thanks again.
Weedy
I'm going to take a stab at this...a refugium (I think) is an area designated for the growth of plants and other live things that creates good bacteria and creatures (like copepods) for your tank. Sometimes there are "in tank" refugiums which are basically just a square box that hangs in your tank and you put plants, etc in there to grow. Keeping them isolated like this means that the creatures in your main display don't eat everything before they plants, etc can produce such great benefits for your tank. Refugiums can also be put into the sump (coolest place to me) and serve the same purpose here. A guy on the thread has a enormous aquarium with an enormous sump/refugium comb and never has to do water changes because everything takes care of itself in his system. Ahhh what a dream.
