What size tank

[Sorrell]

Hi, I am really wanting to set up a salt tank and my LFS is having tank specials. They have 55gal with stand and wet/dry filter for the same price as a 75gal with just the tank and hood. Is 55 a good size, or would it be better to go with 75? I'm pretty clueless, I've read all the pinned topics on this board and I don't plan to add fish for awhile, I just thought since they're having good sales, I might as well at least get a tank. I'm not set on any type of fish, I like all the tangs, but I don't know tank requirements or anything. Sorry this topic is all over the place, I just don't want to start off on the wrong foot. Thanks.

 

[RamJet]

Wet and Dry is not a big deal, go for the 75 gallon. Get a sump with a skimmer and lots of rock and you will be set. Oh, try to up grade the light!

 

[jams.alaskan]

If it were me I'd be going for the 75 with no second thoughts !

ALASKA

 

[modernhamlet]

If it were me I'd be going for the 75 with no second thoughts !

ALASKA

You guys are ruthless!

 

[Sorrell]

Thanks, I wanted to go with the 75, but I thought wet dry was a good thing to have. (Told you I'm clueless!) This is down the road, but while I got you guys here, let me ask this...Do you cycle with damels before or after you start adding live rock? Does the live rock cycle the tank too? At what point after setting up the tank are you able to start adding the LR? I'm not in a hurry to get fish, but I'm excited about finding creatures that stowaway on the rock. Thanks for all your help, I honest to God read the pinned topics, but they give the step-by-step process, but not an actual timeline.

 

[RamJet]

You can add the rock right away, it will cycle with out damsels. If you know a reefer in your area, get his water when he does a water change and add that to your tank, this will help the cycle. Or you can get a bottle of bacter vital or other bacteria. Your rock and live sand will be enough to start the cycle with out killing a fish.

 

[Great Lakes]

You can add the rock immediately, but I would wait a day or two. Get your salt mix coorect and let the sandstorm subside a little.

If you are intending on setting up a reef, you do not need a wet/dry. I have a nice 200 dollar one collecting dust right now.

The most important thing about the 75 over the 55 is the xtra 6" you will get from front to back. This makes it far easier for sump and equipment placement underneath. It also gives you more area for lighting above.

I am also glad to hear you are not in a rush to add fish. So many are.
The longer you wait to add your fish, the more success you will have.

On live rock. You can save a couple bucks by using quality base rock for up to about half your target amount. Think about getting a good deal on live rock by having you lfs order you a box of your own. This is usually around 45-50 pounds. There will be some die off on it from shipping and it will aid in your cycling. It is also cheaper. After a few weeks of cycling with base rock and this kind of live rock, you can look for some of the real expensive and well cured live rock to add to the biodiversity.

GL

 

[superman]

The wet dry filtration is pointless, just go with live rock and a protein skimmer for your filtration. Wet dry filters can actually hold a lot of organics and give off a lot of nitrates and phosphates.

 

[Sorrell]

You guys are awesome. Thanks for all the help, I'm going to get the tank on Thursday, so I hope you will all be willing to help me more as I go! Thanks again

 

[Great Lakes]

Hey, time out Sorrel.

Where do you live.???

I can't believe none of us told you to buy a used tank. Duh.

I guess because you asked a Q and we answered...

If you are in the States, I can give you a couple good sites to search for your area.

GL

 

[Sorrell]

I live in Wyoming so my closest LFS is like 2 hours away. That's a good idea to look for used though, I might have to check the Denver paper. Since you know I'm in the middle of BF nowhere, when I go to the LFS is there any supplies I should have on hand just in case? Like medications or anything that are good to have? Thanks.

 

[Hazmat]

Make sure you get a water test kit and a salinity tester. You also might want to do some water changes during the cycle, So a bag of salt and some good RO water would be a good idea.

 

[ostrow]

Get a 200G bucket of sand (or even a couple). The Oceanic brand is getting rave reveiws and PetSmart and PetCo carry them. Print out their prices from their website and most stores will honor those lower prices.

Do what GL suggests on the rock. Only additional advice I have is to find a place that cures really good live rock and get them to scoop out a couple bags worth of sand/mud from the bottom of those tanks. You want as many critters as you can in your tank. Also, make sure you get one drilled for a reef tank. Wish mine were drilled.

You migh thave a tough time finding used within a 2hr drive in Wy but you never know and the savings are astronomical.

Good luck and go slow.

 

[Sorrell]

They just dropped prices again so 75 gal is only $175 for the tank and hood, but I will get a different light. I think that's a pretty good price.
I actually don't know a single person in my town who has anything other than fresh, and I don't even know how I would go about finding anyone.
I only get down to Colorado every other week or so until summer (when the roads are good) Would it be best to get rock when I get the tank, get the tank and then order rock to be delivered, or go back in a couple weeks and get some. Thanks for being patient, I appreciate all your help.

 

[ostrow]

You can get the rock from, is it Tampa Bay Saltwater? There is an outfit that ships in two chunks. One chunk to get you cycling, the other to get you good, nice pieces. Those come ot your door. More expensive and you don't get to pick the pretty ones.

If you are patient, add the base rock now, and after it is cycled add the really nice pieces as you find them.