New to the game

[el espence]

i am planning on setting up my first salt water tank. i planning on a 20 to 35 gallon display with a ten gallon refugium. i am hoping to possible drill out the display to avoid an expensive peice of plastic also know as an overflow box. if need be i'd probly try a diy design first. so my 1st real question is,"Which is preferable, drilling out the aquarium or the overflow box? 2nd, a friend suggested i might use a protein skimmer along with the refuge. how should i do this and if anyone has any diy information on a protein skimmer that would be great. i have done some research but i haven't found much conclusive information on a diy protein skimmer as small as i'm thinking i would need. also how do i determine the size pump for the water return and for my air pump.(counter current method)

 

[scouncil]

Most tanks that you buy are generally the safety glass which can't be drilled, so be careful. You might see if anybody has a tank about the size that you want for sale (like Bryan will probably be selling his old tank after the big tank is put in- maybe? And Donny had a nice bow front tank a while back for a good deal. Anyway. Worth looking into something already drilled. The bigger the better in my opinion. A bigger tank seems to stay in the good ranges more easily than not (evidenced by my tank- I know it's not because I'm doing a good job....), so go a little bigger than smaller.

I'm sure that Bryan, Brandon and some others will chime in on the other stuff. There are a ton of threads for DIY everything on this forum. Welcome to the hobby. Not the most financially easy hobby in the world, but one of the most rewarding.
Susan

 

[Captain Nemo]

I agree with Susan on this. Def. try to find a tank already drilled, and go with a larger one. The larger water volume, the less chance of major swing of levels IMO anyways. I am relitavely new to SW myself, so from my experience, get a protein skimmer and drilled tank. Also lots of live rock. Anybody here will be glad to help you, just ask!
Kyle

 

[bkv1997]

I've tried DIY self skimmer before and you'll end up just spending alot of money and regret it.

I'd recommend starting with atleast a 55 gallon tank... it is kind of backwards, but actually bigger tanks are for starting out leave the cute 10-25 gallon tanks for experts they just aren't as stable and will be very frustrating.

If you have any questions or need recommendations just ask and I can help suggest the best equipment for your budget.

 

[tperk9784]

I agree on the tank size. Smaller tanks are way harder to maintain. DIY skimmers are not easy nor cheap for a tank the size your talking about they are not that expensive and you don't need an overly big one.

My advise it to plan everything thoroughly and then check it twice before you actually do it. I would redesign the C2C overflow on my custom cube if I could go back and do it again and I planned and planned before I built it. Nothing ever happens fast in this hobby.

Tim

 

[bkv1997]

Nothing ever happens fast in this hobby.

Tim

Yes it does..... just the bad things happen fast :)

 

[ironman]

Take your time and pick decent equipment up front. If you stay in the hobyy you will regret any corners that you cut. Try to locate a "reef ready" tank. Like susan said, finding a tank that can be drilled is tough. Find a decent skimmer if you plan to keep coral or bigger fish. Take your time and plan. Find something you want to get and then post here before you get it. Odds are if it is a mistake one of us has already made it and can save you the headache. If you do it right the first time it will save you money in the long run.

 

[scouncil]

Or you can do what I've done in the past. Don't take Bryan's or Brandon's advice (or just buy stuff without asking advice), having it fail/crash and burn/just not work well enough and then having to spend more money to get what I really needed anyway. I really pains me to admit it, but Bryan and Brandon (and several others, it's just that Bryan and Brandon post the most) do give good advice and I'd be better off if I had/will listen to it. Ouch, that really hurt.
Susan

Oh, and Bryan is Ironman and Brandon is BKV1997 for those of you who don't know them already.

 

[ironman]

LOL! thanks MOM

 

[tperk9784]

Yes it does..... just the bad things happen fast :)

Opps I meant to write nothing GOOD ever happens fast in this hobby LOL what a word to leave out.

 

[bkv1997]

Or you can do what I've done in the past. Don't take Bryan's or Brandon's advice (or just buy stuff without asking advice), having it fail/crash and burn/just not work well enough and then having to spend more money to get what I really needed anyway. I really pains me to admit it, but Bryan and Brandon (and several others, it's just that Bryan and Brandon post the most) do give good advice and I'd be better off if I had/will listen to it. Ouch, that really hurt.
Susan

Oh, and Bryan is Ironman and Brandon is BKV1997 for those of you who don't know them already.

Thank you Susan... I knew i was right all along :), but is nice to hear you admit it.

:tongue: