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Beginner! Completely!

Those look like a good place to start - you can always add more if your flow isn't enough.

Unfortunately a good skimmer does cost! I have had good results with both Deltec & aquamedic but that doesn't mean that a cheaper alternative won't work. The one that you have linked to looks like a copy of the Deltec HOB ones - maybe someone Stateside will be able to tell you how good they are.

Sumps are good to add volume to your system (& mean you could use the other skimmer that you linked & hide other equipment out of your tank) but you will need extra equipment - some method of draining the water to the sump & a pump to get it back

Fuges are a very worthwhile addition & you may well be able to modify your existing HOB filters...I would wait for LLJ as she is the fuge expert.

Don't apologise about asking questions - it is how we all learn!
 
So would it be okay to wait on the sump? Or do you suggest getting one now?

And this is what I'm looking at right now:
Power heads: 2 or 3 (1250+ gph)
Heater
HOB skimmer
New lighting
Refractometer
Possible DIY refugium (the one Ryan linked....I think it was Ryan anyway haha)

Sound good? This is probably a silly question, but without the sump, will the heater have to stay inside the main tank or could it fit into the refugium?
 
WElcome to the salt!

So far looks really good! I gotta say your list is perfect for starting out
- flow you have (try to break down the total flow between 2 or 3 powerheads so you can create less linear flow in the tank)
- heater
- Skimmer
- Lighting (t5 units are perfectly fine to start off with and tbh I think you should start with them, I don't recommend jumping into keeping SPS/anemones etc to begin with anyways, your system will need to mature. Start with T5s, keep a few corals and see how you get on. Spending lots of money on MH lighting at this stage would be a potentially expensive mistake imo)
- Refractometer
- Sump (optional), you don't need one but it would provide serious benefits (refugium, place to put equipment etc). However, even if you don't drill your tank now, you can set up a overflow box to drain to a sump at a later date. But imo, if you think this hard about a sump at this stage, you're better off just going and making one now. You won't regret it.
- Live rock is the most important aspect to starting this new tank, along with sand and salt water. Make sure you put the rock in first, then the sand so that the rock is resting on the glass below.
- Thermometer

The above list is literally everything you will need to start off. Let us know how you get on :)
 
Thank you! So just found out something might happen on Friday that could enable me to get all the equipment I need for an awesome setup from the get go...if that's the case I would get an overflow sump system (because I don't want to drill a hole in my aquarium...correct me if I'm wrong please...) and if not, I will go with the original plan in post #32...does this sound like a good idea? Thank you all for all of your help! I'm definitely not concluding this thread....I could still use lots and lots of suggestions and advice from you all...like how to actually set the thing up...like little tips from things you have learned along the way...I will definitely be needing more help still...especially when I get all my equipment (and perhaps deciding on certain equipment if Friday enables me to do so) :D

Thank you all so much! I'm so excited!
Meg
 
I am also coverting an aquaclear to a refugium for 1 of my 10 gallon nanos. It is cheaper than buying one! I will be using the same guide from llj.
 
Just remember there is a difference between a REFUGIUM and a SUMP. You can direct an overflow to a sump (within which you may have a section for a refugium) or you modify one to just create a hang-off the back refugium.
 
Ell, it happened a little later than expected, but I think I will be able to afford a sump! My tank is not drilled, so I need to go overflow sump, right? And get a sump protein skimmer instead of an HOB? If anybody can maybe suggest a sump/protein skimmer (just what I need for this system in general) I would EXTREMELEY appreciate it, especially because I don't fully understand everything and, as is obvious, I have no experience.. :shout:

Although I can afford it, I would still like to have the cheapest one possible (but one that still works)....I'm in the U.S. By the way!

Thanks you all SO MUCH for all your help! I would have so many issues doing this without your help!
Meg
 
Ok, I'm back!

Well I'm in the UK but will try to find some US ones for you! I can't recommend the particular site but I used an overflow like This

You will also need some pipe of the same diameter as the bulkhead on the overflow enough to get the water to the sump. You may also need some elbows. I would also add a ball valve Here so that you can 'throttle it back' if you need to.

You will also need a pump to return the water from the sump back to the tank.

As for the sump itself - I have never used a pre-made one, simple enough to build.

simplesump.jpg


This is a sump in probably it's most simple form. You can alter the 'chambers' to suit your needs or even add extra chambers if you wanted to add a fuge. I have put skimmers in both the first & the last chamber & it doesn't seem to make a difference.

As for the skimmer - I have already given you the ones that I can recommend.
 
Thank you so much! All the sump equipment (or just all the equipment in general!) is confusing my brain! :blink:

Is that overflow good for a fifty gallon? And if the tank is (I think) standard size for fifty gallon...4 feet long, but I forget the other dimensions...it's like 13 inches wide or something....what size sump should I get? An do you suggest building the sump like it is in the picture or does it matter if I use the simple form or another form? And one more question, should I have one or two protein skimmers in the sump?

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP! I really appreciate it! Sorry for so many questions! :eek:
Meg
 
That overflow (if twinned with a suitable pump) should give you approx. 16x turnover/hr

The diagram I made is just a simple idea & is in no way fixed - experiment all you like (although I would keep the 3 baffles/ bubble trap BEFORE your return pump as it will reduce the chance of getting micro bubbles from the drain being blown back into your tank.

Only need 1 skimmer - if you have 2 then the more effective will do all the work & the less will just sit there doing nothing. If you have the cash for 2 skimmers you would be better putting towards getting 1 better one.
 
Okay, and what return pump should I get?

And what size sump do you suggest for this tank?

Edit: maybe instead of making my own from scratch, could I get something second hand like This or This if it fit my tank? Of corse it all depends on what size sump I should get...if 29 gallons is big enough, I'm liking that one because it looks like it comes with everything :D

Also, just measured the tank...with shelves in, both sections (top and bottom shelf) are 4 feet long, about 10 inches wide and about a foot high....without the shelves, it's 4 feet long, about 8.25-8.5 inches wide, and about 2 feet high
 
Anyone? I need to know what size sump I need so I can get this thing up and running before I have to go back to school :/
 
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