Just bought a tank... now where do I go?

[SaltySteven]

I have wanted to build a salt tank for my whole life... now after 35 years i am finally gonna give it a go. I just purchased a 72 gallon bow front tank and have been watching a ton of videos. I have found the 5 minuet guide series on YouTube to be extremely informative without being too over whelming. All that said I now need to get some gear. My goal is to get sand, live rock, a heater, wave makers, skimmer and water in the tank and cycle it. Then after a couple months or so I hope to start adding fish and in 6-8 months begin adding coral. I want to take my time and not waste money. So i am now shopping for economical start up yet reliable wave makers, skimmer, heater, and want to research lights. I want to put all this in the tank and get set up for fish for under 1000 bucks. At this point im just not sure on the size of equipment i need especially when it comes to lighting. I want to be able to grow this tank and the types of coral it can eventually sustain. I cannot drill this tank so there will be no lower sump. From what i understand i need something like 100lbs of sand and 80-100lbs of rock. I may be way off and if i am let me know. Any suggestions, Tips, or used and in good condition gear shoot it my way. Here is a picture of the tank!

 

[PeterC99]

Definitely look for lightly used, high quality equipment. Ask these questions before buying any used equipment - how old is the equipment, bought new or used, current condition, and most importantly, why are they selling it? Looking for someone upgrading their system or getting out of the hobby.


If you can get satisfactory answers you want for these questions, then think about purchasing. If you can’t get satisfactory answers to these questions for any used item - then it’s a definite NO!

 

[Mrtakeoff53]

Welcome to the hobby!! I hope you enjoy the ups and downs of reefing. It’s an amazing journey.

Like @PeterC99 said, grab some quality used equipment. Going new is expensive.

Second, IMO, that’s too much sand and rock. I’d start with 50 lbs of sand and 50-75 lbs of rock. You can always add more later if it’s not enough. Get some ‘live’ sand like Ocean Direct and it’ll help your cycle. Also, see if you can find a local reefer with a WELL ESTABLISHED tank and buy some CLEAN live rock (like a piece or 2) from them. It’ll go a long way to starting your ecosystem off on the right foot.

Finally, find a way to incorporate an ATO into your system. Doesn’t have to be fancy but keeping the salinity stable will be monumental to your success and save you a ton of time. Remember, always use RO/DI water. Always. No matter what.
Have fun!

 

[JumboShrimp]

My suggestion for a great tried-and-true, all around sand: Caribsea Aragonite “Special Grade.” Make sure it says “Special Grade.”

 

[JGT]

To the bank Get some good used equipment here on R2R. Special grade sand is the way to go. Won’t blow around.

 

[SaltySteven]

Welcome to the hobby!! I hope you enjoy the ups and downs of reefing. It’s an amazing journey.

Like @PeterC99 said, grab some quality used equipment. Going new is expensive.

Second, IMO, that’s too much sand and rock. I’d start with 50 lbs of sand and 50-75 lbs of rock. You can always add more later if it’s not enough. Get some ‘live’ sand like Ocean Direct and it’ll help your cycle. Also, see if you can find a local reefer with a WELL ESTABLISHED tank and buy some CLEAN live rock (like a piece or 2) from them. It’ll go a long way to starting your ecosystem off on the right foot.

Finally, find a way to incorporate an ATO into your system. Doesn’t have to be fancy but keeping the salinity stable will be monumental to your success and save you a ton of time. Remember, always use RO/DI water. Always. No matter what.
Have fun!

Dumb question but what’s an ATO

 

[SaltySteven]

never mind. Auto top off

 

[SaltySteven]

Just wanted to post and update with some pics. Got the tank running and have added some blue leg hermits, a few varieties of snails, an ocellairs and blood orange paired pair of clowns, Zola frag and GSP frag. Here’s some pics. Hope you enjoy.

 

[jmichaelh7]

Just wanted to post and update with some pics. Got the tank running and have added some blue leg hermits, a few varieties of snails, an ocellairs and blood orange paired pair of clowns, Zola frag and GSP frag. Here’s some pics. Hope you enjoy.

Did you cycle your tank yet ? I see the original post was sep 2021 and now you have fish

 

[SaltySteven]

Yes tank has cycled. I used live rock and sand. Nitrates are low, 5ppm, nitrates and phosphates and ammonia are 0, salinity 1.022-24 depending on water level, calcium 420, and water has been stable for 2 weeks now. I’ve tested the water more than I can count and had a LTS test it as well and they say I’m good to go. I was told since I used 100% live rock the tank cycled quickly.

 

[jmichaelh7]

Invest in a auto top off and keep your salinity at 1.024-1.026 . Your livestock will thank you

 

[SaltySteven]

Invest in a auto top off and keep your salinity at 1.024-1.026 . Your livestock will thank you

I am often hearing horror stories about ATO’s are there economic ones that you know of which are successful? What would you recommend?

 

[jmichaelh7]

Knock on wood bro.

but Tunze has been consistent for me. No more dumping water since day 1