first salt experience

I am new to 3reef as well as new to salt water aquariums. I am getting a 54gal bow front used for a steal, but I dont have any equipment. I want to do a mini-reef with a DSB and plenty of inverts. Any suggestions on which equipment I need and what I can do without?

 

need a 20g sump which u can find on utube ( cheaper to make yourself ) and a skimmer for corals. i have a 55g reef tank w/ a skimmer and a cannister filter. and my ta nk is great. but i need a sump then i probly get rid of the cannister filter. people will have other comments so take it is. just make sure your filter do my then what u would buy for a 55g tank. i have a skimmer rateed for a 100g ta nk and my cannister is rated for 75g tank. and use t5 lights

 

Well, basics are gonna be;
Lights (type depends on the stuff youd like to keep)
Filtration, could be a sump as mentioned before, but not a requirement.
Heater
Thermometer
Test kits (Ph, Nitrate, Ammonia, Kh, and something to test salinity)
Skimmer (Either HOB or in sump, depending on set up)

Welcome to 3reef, and good luck!

 

Get the tank drilled and plumb a sump below. Skimmer rated above your total system volume. Lighting depends on what you want to keep. I recommend BoostLED if you choose to go LED. Possibly a GFO reactor. RO/DI unit. Keep the system clean and simple.

 

thanks for the replies. I believe that I will be getting some led lighting, I will be doing a sump in an old 20gal I have. I mostly want to do soft corals and some inverts but I have a 2yr old and she wants a "nemo".