first time starting a salt water tank

[BigCountry]

most sumps are used to hide the protein skimmer, heaters, perhaps setup a small refuge (small section of your sump where you can put more live rock, deep sand bed, or grow microalgae to export excess phosphate and nitrate out of your tank so algea will not grow) etc.

on the smaller tanks you can run HOB (hang on the back) protein skimmers so you would not need a sump.

on the larger tanks you want to run the skimmer in the sump, because these skimmer are quite large and sometimes loud.

don't get me wrong, you can use large canister filters on a salt tank with fish only. but most people go salt to eventually go reef, and the live rock is the backbone (literally) of a reef tank.

 

[TheCanuck]

I think you need to decide what type of fish your keeping before you plan on type of filtration or rock situation.

You don't need half the things people are recommending if you go a certain route with your tank.

What type of saltwater tank, and which type of fish would you like to keep?

Also what is your budget?

People get recommending things on here before even asking questions.

 

[everlastace]

I too have been considering a small salt water tank, so I would love to hear the answers to these questions, in the most affordable methods possible.

 

[TheCanuck]

I too have been considering a small salt water tank, so I would love to hear the answers to these questions, in the most affordable methods possible.

Once again we need to know what size you would like

What you want to keep

and budget

Otherwise you will never have a setup that tends to all your needs and requirements. You just a collaboration of bs from multiple people and how they do things.

I set up my 12ft tank under 500$ with full filtration, sand, and rocks.

 

[everlastace]

I haven't planned any of that yet, it's only a thought I've had for a matter of days. I'm open to suggestions.

 

[Hoyo12]

I haven't planned any of that yet, it's only a thought I've had for a matter of days. I'm open to suggestions.

One of the most simple setups that I have running right now is a 10-Gallon with a back hang-on filter. And that's it, lol. The tank holds my Hifin Shrimp Goby, a small false Perc. Clownfish, a Clown Goby, and an Allen's Damsel. Granted I never really see the Shrimp Goby, but I still like the setup! I had the tank and filter laying around, so it was just a matter of getting the salt I suppose. Cheap and simple, but you can take many different routes with saltwater. That's why I'm also working with corals for the first time in my main 55-Gallon setup; so many different options.

 

[Otherone]

Once again we need to know what size you would like

What you want to keep

and budget

Otherwise you will never have a setup that tends to all your needs and requirements. You just a collaboration of bs from multiple people and how they do things.

I set up my 12ft tank under 500$ with full filtration, sand, and rocks.

True there are several ways to create and maintain a saltwater fish tank. Simple ways and much more elabotate ways - both come with their own consequences. The more elaborate systems are most definately a money pit however simple ones can be a money pit aswell when cheaper gadgets are used that weren't really designed for the abrassive and corrosive nature of saltwater. The HOB main motor seal and impeller assembly being one of them. Cheaper powerheads that carry a huge GPH label on the box that can't even create enuff flow to keep calcium in suspension being another.

Research the internet, don't just really on any one single source of information. Healthy fish tanks take time to develop - use this time towards your advantage. Take things one step at a time and master each step. Your 1st one will be planning, 2nd purchasing, 3rd will be salinity, temp., and PH as they are all relavent to each other. Next will be the inital Nitrogen cycle, this cycle doesn't start and end in 4-6 weeks it's everyday for the lifespan of your Fishtank.

 

[TheCanuck]

"Cheap" is a very negative term.

Using knowledge and experience there are many things that you can use to substitute in aquariums that will yield equal results, without loss of efficiency.

For example...

I used base rock .. 50 cents a lb compared to 6-9$ a lb of live rock

I made my own sump and wet dry system maybe 50$

I used scrubbies for bio media .... and got my own pvc shavings for home made bio bale

I made my own overflow that I think dumped at least 2400gph, super cheap from home depo

Home depo 10$ light fixtures...

Once again these where all options I had because of the tank I was setting up. It was more efficient than anything I could have bought from the store because I personalized everything about it. It catered to all my needs.

 

[cichlid_king]

That sump is insanely creative

Sent from my SCH-R880 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

 

[TheCanuck]

That sump is insanely creative

p

There was a 100 micron filter sock I snuck in the top drawer. As you can see the tank in the last picture is crystal clear, and I fed over a POUND of food in that tank a day.