[siredmund]

Hi everyone,
I have been reading through the forum for a few days now and have basicly figured out what I want to do. I have had many years of Freshwater tanks and want to start a saltwater tank. I have a nice tall 55 gal plexi tank that I would like to use. I will use sand not sure if I will bother with live sand in addition to live rock is there a benifit?

I will use a mech filter and a protein skimmer sounds like heaters are a bad idea but what about a chiller I live in portland oregon and our max room temp gets to maybe 80. I will use the power heads too (are these just to provide current since they are not attached to u/g filters in saltwater).

Do I need to worry about the sump/ref or is that only for reef tanks?

What about lighting? The hood I have used for the tank is just a basic lighting hood is that all I will need or do I need to get one of those top covers hoods I have seen in some pictures here. The idea of a timed light cycle seems nice but is it needed for just fish?

And what about a quarantine tank do people use them at all or in a 55 is everything doomed if someone is ill?
Thanks and looking forward to all the advice to help me through the process.
Cheers,
Evan

[bleueau187]

Well a sump/refugium isnt totally necessary but defiently very helpful. They add increased water volume (more forgiving if something bad happens), help keep water levels good, and are a breeding ground for pods which can keep your fish full between feedings. Why wouldn't you use a heater?? I had a fowlr tank for about a year (55 galons) and it was pretty successful, but i just recently started to put some corals in. As for lighting, it all depends how good you want it to look. More expensive lights (halides) will make your tank look nicer but are not necessary for fish only. If you have any questions send me a message bc ive been where you are at and would like to help you.

[e_baer]

well, i basically agree with bleau. Live sand would be a huge help because it is filled with beneficial bacteria....its just that much more of a jump start on your cycleing tank.

[fisheyes]

Hey Evan, Dont buy a chiller big waste of money. You really don't need one were you live plus your not running a big metal halide light wich cause a lot of heat. Instead use your money on a good protien skimmer and a hang on canister filter and a couple power heads for water flow spend your money on fish and live rock and live sand, thats all I run on my 40 gallon and I have corals plus when it gets too hot run fan on the tank or turn on the air conditioner. Keep it cheap as possible for you. Oh also get yourself a test kit for ammonia nitrite ph and nitrates and test 1 a week after your tank cycles and do monthly water changes of about 25 percent and you should have good success just like me. Good luck and don't buy everything your LFS trys too sell you.

[blind1993]

oh and take it really slow and have a lot of patience.

[siredmund]

I am a stay at home dad of 3 small children pateince is my middle name...


Also looking for good LFS in Portland Oregon area...
Went to my closest and got some good ideas and another book too.
Pretty sure I am going to do a refug seems like another safety measure
would like to do things for the best interest of the fish and other creatures.
Definately doing the live sand and rock too...

I have read that it is a good idea to leave the undergravel plate in place for the sand creatures is this true???? I know I am not supposed to run the ug/filter but I could leave the plates down under the sand. Anyone actually do this or should I just pull them?

Thanks for the help,
Cheers,
evan

[blind1993]

it is ur choice pulling them out will just lower the sand bed but it would be better to leave it.