[map95003]

Hi All. I use to have a 55g saltwater tank years ago (fish and live rock) but it's been a while and I know lots have changed over the last 7-8 years. I'm currently finishing my basement and plan on setting up a 75g fish and coral tank. I've been reading up on this stuff over the last week or so but I prefer the advise from people with experience.

I plan on having the 75g tank with a 55g tank as the sump beneath. I plan on getting a good skimmer and lighting that would allow me to add coral down the road. I'm building this into a wall so I need to plan out my plumbing.

It's been a while but one thing I do remember...it takes lots of patients, and I want to do it right.

I'm looking for lighting, skimmer, filtration, water purifier, etc. recommendations.

I'm also trying to come up with an easy way of doing water changes...like just turning valves and mixing salt...no buckets and hoses or too much manual process.

Thanks in advance, all suggestions and recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Martin

[glampka]

Lighting will depend on what corals you want to keep. You'll want to look at MH or T5. Not sure what your budget is it makes it a bit difficult to give suggestions. Don't skimp on your skimmer or lights. You'll just end up spending more money later to upgrade. Not sure you want to automate water changes. When you do a water change it give you an opportunity to suck up garbage at the bottom of the tank. If you automate, you just can't do that.

[map95003]

Thanks for the response Glampka. I'm not looking to spend tons of $$$ but I don't mine spending it where it's needed. I know lighting and a skimmer is very important, I was planning on getting a MH/power-compact combo system, I figure that would cost ~$400, the skimmer would probably be another ~$300....as far as corals, I plan on starting off with a few hardy ones but I want to build the system so it would allow me to add some of the other ones later on. Any suggestions as to which skimmer and light setup I should get?

As far as water changes I plan on doing cleanup during the water changes but I don't want to carry buckets of water and make a big mess everytime...that was my biggest problem the last time I had a saltwater tank.

Any suggestions for a water purification system?

Also on my last tank I had a wet/dry filtration system (bio balls setup), from what I've been reading that is no longer the recommendation...any suggestions, because I want to fully utilize the 55g sump?

I know I'm asking alot but I just want to do it right this time, I don't want to rush into it and then have to make lots of changes a few months down the road.

Thanks for your help.

Martin

[crazygator]

there are alot of reverse osmosis systems that are cheap ( if you consider the cost of buying enough water) r.o. systems are rated at how many gallons a day they purify. some feel that a u.v. sterilizer is needed but not really, just something to gve an extra option.

[map95003]

Thanks Crazygator...

OK guys, my long-term goal is to have a reef tank like Kevin's, see picture on his thread:
http://www.reefbuilders.com/forums/r...reef-tank.html

Since most of this hobby's equipment is expensive, I want to save myself some money by buying the right stuff upfront. For this type of reef setup, what would be the best lighting, skimmer, filtration system, water purifier, etc. that would give the best bang for my buck.

I'm looking for recommended brands, size/capacity, model#'s, approximate price, etc.

I already got the 75G (48x18x21)tank and the 55g (48x13x21) sump, I'm planning to start buying the other components within the next 2 weeks. Thanks a whole bunch for your help.

[tyoung]

Check out lifereef.com for filtration needs, great info, and pics to boot. This is high quality equipment although on the pricey side. For lighting, look at the Current Outer Orbit mh units. These seem to be a decent choice. Hope this helps you out a little.

[map95003]

I was looking at the 36" Current USA Outer Orbit HQI Metal Halide system earlier today, it puts out ~350W, would this 36" system work well on my 75g setup? The length of my tank is 48", would a 36" light setup work? I think the wattage is OK, but there is a $250 difference between the 36" and the 48" light system so I was hoping the 36" would do the trick. see this URL
marineandreef.com/ Current USA Outer Orbit HQI Metal Halide Light Fixture with SlimPaq T5HO Actinics for Aquariums

[Reef-Daddy]

If you plan to suspend the 36" inch rather than it sitting on top of your tank, it could work.

I recently bought a 48" MH combo w/750 watts for $379 off ebay. I did have a 48" Orbit 4 x 96 watt but wanted to try some sps corals in my 75 gallon.

[mtfabel]

map the light that you linked to(the 36") is basiclly 4.5 watts per gallon which is pretty good for most soft and lps, but if you are going to ever want to keep sps and clams you will need at least 6 watts per gallon. AS far as skimmers go look at the ASM brand. They use the exact same concept as the Euroreefs and most people would tell you that the Euroreefs are the best. The ASM just happen to be a little cheaper. You can glue dividers in your 55 sump to create a refugium if yoiu would like to go that route, the refugium will help further break down the bioload.