New to saltwater aquariums

[Dobby762]

like the title says.. I'm new to saltwater aquariums but i'm not "new" to the hobby.

I think it's safe to say that like most everyone here, I started small. I had a 10G and then a 20G.. scored a 40G rimless and then transferred everything to a 75G. I've had great success with my freshwater aquariums, and I don't do anything but planted tanks. My water levels are always spot on thankfully and haven't really ran into many issues.

The wife has given me the soft go ahead on setting up a saltwater tank in our game room/craft room as she's also really got into the hobby as well and we both love saltwater fish. The setup will be a reef setup with some basic fish at first such as clowns, stars, jawfish, etc.

I've recently scored a 75G that needs new braces and was also offered a 90G with stand and sump today. (obviously bigger is better) That said, I've been watching and reading a ton on saltwater (BRS, various forums, etc.) and have been pondering it for a few years, I've just never taken the leap. I know i can't drill tempered glass as i would like to make this spare 75G a saltwater tank. I haven't checked to see if all of the panes are tempered or if its just the bottom yet. I know this is step one before thinking of drilling.

What do you all recommend in this situation? What gear do you like and don't like? What should i absolutely stay away from? What are must haves? I'm looking to compile a solid list of things needed before setting up the tank, so it's as seamless of a setup as possible. I'll most likely have a tank in our garage to keep about a month or so worth of water change water, and from everything I've read and watched the go to salt is the Tropic Marin Pro-Reef salt as it dissolves and keeps the best.

 

[edsbeaker]

Hello, and welcome. Many of us have started with freshwater planted tanks, and I think that helps lay the foundation for water testing, water changes, feeding, etc. so, you are somewhat ahead of the game.

As far as what you need, you will get a lot of opinions…there are many ways to run a saltwater tank depending on what you have in mind…FOWLR, Fish only, Reef tank?

I can’t help you with the drilling part, but some basics that I always use are, sump, protein skimmer, lights, heater, power heads, mechanical filter, (socks, floss) Auto top off, (ATO), Rodi system, live or dry rock, salt, sand, (keep in mind that if you are going to have lots of flow in the tank, you probably want to stay away from fine sand to prevent it blowing all over), containers to hold RODI and Saltwater for water changes, test kits, (not API!) Typically measured after cycling includes Nitrate, phosphate, and if you have coral, calcium and alkalinity, keep an eye on magnesium, but it’s not critical to eye as carefully. You will also need a way to measure salinity.

Some of these things are optional for reefers, some do not run skimmers or any mechanical filtration and have great success, others have a refugium or run an algae turf scrubber. So take my list as just a starting point.

You may want to browse through this sticky, also. It may help with any other questions you have,

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

 

[RocketEngineer]

Having had a tank with a siphon based overflow and several drilled ones, I will never do another reef tank without a drilled overflow. I drilled my 75g and other than being nervous the whole time, it was very easy. Slow speed and lots of water were key. Remember, cutting glass involves grinding, not cutting. A sliding drill guide and clamps ensures nothing moves out of position as you drill. A piece of wood on the inside will minimize chipping at the end.

Gear is highly individualized. I tend towards brands and devices that have been around a while because they have been proven to work vs being “the next big thing”. This hobby is all about stable water quality.

#1 piece of gear: RODI unit. Good water in means good living conditions for our livestock. #2: ATO because evaporation happens and it’s best to keep on top of it. The rest depends on your situation but heaters, lights, and flow are all necessary for a successful SW setup.

 

[BryanM]

Agreed, RODI is mandatory equipment. Water is the lifeblood of our reefs, and you should strive to make your own water.

The linked guide is fantastic.

Seamless tank starts only come from experience, but a jump start would be live rock.... I will never start a tank with dry rock.

 

[Dobby762]

I should’ve added that I’ll be doing an RO/DI system for my water. Honestly, i never knew they existed until i started researching more in depth for saltwater. Luckily, my freshwater tanks have all been very successful with treated tap water, but i know salt tends to be more sensitive. I’ve had great success on the fresh side with sea chem products.

I also planned to do ATO to really make keeping up with the tank that much simpler.

Live rock is a must for me as i have also read that it along with an already bio active substrate will help jumpstart the setup and cycling process to have a more stabile environment over the long term.

 

[Dobby762]

Having had a tank with a siphon based overflow and several drilled ones, I will never do another reef tank without a drilled overflow. I drilled my 75g and other than being nervous the whole time, it was very easy. Slow speed and lots of water were key. Remember, cutting glass involves grinding, not cutting. A sliding drill guide and clamps ensures nothing moves out of position as you drill. A piece of wood on the inside will minimize chipping at the end.

Gear is highly individualized. I tend towards brands and devices that have been around a while because they have been proven to work vs being “the next big thing”. This hobby is all about stable water quality.

#1 piece of gear: RODI unit. Good water in means good living conditions for our livestock. #2: ATO because evaporation happens and it’s best to keep on top of it. The rest depends on your situation but heaters, lights, and flow are all necessary for a successful SW setup.

When you drilled your 75G, did you drill the side or the bottom?

 

[RocketEngineer]

When you drilled your 75G, did you drill the side or the bottom?

I drilled the back glass. I’ve since learned there are better overflow designs but it worked for that system.

 

[RocketEngineer]

You can see the two bulkheads on the left and right. I would do it differently now.

 

[Dobby762]

You can see the two bulkheads on the left and right. I would do it differently now.

What would you do differently?

 

[RocketEngineer]

What would you do differently?

I would have drilled it for a BeanAnimal drain configuration and had an internal weir that ran the full width (or nearly) of the display.

 

[Dobby762]

I would have drilled it for a BeanAnimal drain configuration and had an internal weir that ran the full width (or nearly) of the display.

that makes sense. I've seen that setup mentioned on a few threads and that was what I decided to go with when i decide to get started on my setup

 

[Dobby762]

It’s been a while, but i just picked up a 120g tank that’s already drilled with bulkheads.

 

[Dobby762]

I finally got the display resealed. I’m a fan of the way marineland tanks look with the black silicone, so naturally i used ASI aquarium safe silicone in black.

I also took advantage of pet smarts 50% off marineland tanks and got a 40 breeder for $75 for the sump. I’ve installed the baffles and will have a refugium as well. Luckily i have a plastic sign store locally and they carry the weld-on 3 so i could weld the acrylic pieces together for the filter sock holder.

I spent more than i care to admit at BRS and pretty much bought everything i would need minus the autodosers to get it setup. (Those pics will come later)

For now, here’s my reseal and baffle installation pictures. For my first reseal and i was very meticulous with the prep work, I’m pretty happy with the results. I may have panicked slightly when i got to the overflow because the silicon was about to begin skinning over, but overall i know where to improve for the next time.

 

[BryanM]

I spent more than i care to admit at BRS and pretty much bought everything i would need minus the autodosers to get it setup. (Those pics will come later)

Welcome to the obsession !!

 

[Dobby762]

I forgot to mention that i did score a Kessil APX9 with stand for $450 off Facebook marketplace! I did drive a couple hours for it, but the savings made it worth it lol

 

[Dobby762]

Had time to knock this project out today at work. I precut everything last night at my other house and assembled it today. A lot of math and precise cuts and this thing went right together.

I’m not putting the plywood skin on until it’s in the house as this thing is fairly heavy. The base is going to open from the side so the 40B sump can come out of the side without any issues. It’s also going to house a 10g ATO tank along with all of the electronics mounted on the back wall. The top is slightly oversized with a 2” ledge to go around the 120g i built this for. The only concern i have is where my bulkheads are going to come down which is why there isn’t a 45° support on those corners. I may have to move the joist slightly inward for that clearance, but everything is level and plumb. It’s probably overbuilt for the tank but I’d rather have a stand that can easily handle 1400lbs of water.

The thought for this stand was for weight to transfer straight to the floor which is why i used a jack stud type of construction and not rely on the fasteners to hold the weight. Though, i did add joist supports like you’d see in your house construction to help transfer the weight to the band.

Once i get the sheeting on I’ll update with those as well. My goal is to make it a nice finished cabinetry work and eventually make a top to hide everything so the main focus is the display.

 

[Fish Fan]

Nice job on the stand build!