Hello.. Not quite started.

[Glipzcom]

Hi,
My names Glen. I am finaly taking the plunge and going for it. I have been circling around trying to figure out everything before i do anything but there is so much info. I just have been overwhelmed. The only things I have right now is stuff my girlfriend "surprised" me with for my birthday:

55 gallon Glass tank.
Hang on water filter. (not even sure what to call it)
This powerhead that has a long canister attached with foam filters in it?
and a water heater 65watts i believe.

Tonight I bought:

Remora Pro Protein skimmer (based on suggestions on these boards)
2 Maxi-Jet 1200 (i believe 295 gph)
and a big old tub of instant ocean.

Now Im shopping for the lighting.
Looking at sunlight supply the TEK light people seem to love.

Then i need to get:
Sand
Rock

Things i am still unsure of:
Do i need a special water filter?
Test kits and chemicals?
Other tools?
Black Background?(its against a wall figure it will make it prettier?)

I know things are expensive, and I really havent taken care of fish since my 20gallon fresh growing up.
From what I have read and deduced. There is no reason to try going cheap on things. Imagining by the time im done buying stuff i will be teetering under 1000. Sound right?

So yeah if you got something to say please shout it out.

Glen.

Oh, do people plug all this stuff into one standard dual outlet at home? Seems like the lights and all the gear are really going to do some powerdraw.

[Diver_1298]

Hello and welcome to the 3Reef!!


"Things i am still unsure of:
Do i need a special water filter?
Test kits and chemicals?
Other tools?
Black Background?(its against a wall figure it will make it prettier?)"

1. If you're setting up a reef tank you will be better off with a RO/DI filter. If it is a fish only tank then I would say it's up to you and how you often you want to deal with the algae problem.
2.Definitely on the test kits for ammonia, nitrite and nitrates as your tank cycles and later when you add fish.
3.Salt and a refractometer for adding and adjusting the salinity level
4.I have a black background and now I am ready to try a dark blue... It's a personal preference thing.


Keep reading and learning. It gets better.


Jim

[jonathan]

welcome to 3reef....

[nemo79]

I have a 55g and started 4 months ago. I have aragonite crushed coral but most go with a deep sand bed. You will need to get live rock between 1.5-2lbs per gallon. You can cycle your tank with the rock in it. Lighting depends on what you can afford and what you plan on keeping. I have pc lighting and have been able to keep most things, excluding anemone's and clams although these are harder things to keep. You need to cycle the tank before adding any livestock and I would recommend testing 2 times a week while you cycle and record it all. After cycling you can add a cleaning crew. I have 2 maxi jet 1200 and one 400 and I have plenty of flow and the filter will add flow as well. I would recommend you start testing for calcium the sooner the better as I had to battle that problem while there were corals in my tank...not fun. I would use ro or ro/di water and if you can't have the filters yourself then purchase the water. As for plugging it all in, I have mine all plugged into 2 powerbars as I live in an apartment and there is only one outlet where my tank is..so no choice. Welcome aboard.

[Glipzcom]

Thanks Everyone. I am feeling more comfortable with it all. The RO filter and all that live rock sounds like the two most expensive things i still need. Oh besides the actual livestock

Turns out the person who sold me my tank was crazy and Using a calculator i figured out I have a 40 gallon tank.

Bought a 2x96 PC light strip. It was Eclipse Orbit. I hope that will provide enough light for at least a basic reef. I guess if i get hungry i can allways add more later.

Thanks