I was recently given 2 75 gallon tanks for free. They both need to be resealed but, all the glass is in good condition and as I have already resealed tanks in the past with success I feel confident in this task. I really want to start a salt system with these tanks. I would like to build a custom stand and have one as a display tank and the other as an overflow/refugium tank. With a system like that what would be a good "lower light" reef stock list for fish and coral? I have never kept a salt tank before so I need plenty of help and have tons of research to do. Any help is greatly appreciated!
First try at salt... Need some help
- Thread starter JMcCormick
- Start date
I think a 75 gallon sump for a 75 gallon tank is way too big I would go with like a 30 gallon sump
There is nothing wrong with a big sump, quite the opposite. I'm researching for my first tank too. First step usually = FOWLR tank
there are lots of easy corals that require little to no effort to maintain other than lighting. get you a lower end t5ho fixture and some green star polyps, anthelia, xenia, zoanthids, palys, all near impossible to mess up. best of luck!
There's no such thing as too small of a sump; some reef enthusiasts have sumps that are larger than the main aquarium! The combined volume of the two aquariums will make for a much more stable system for you to work with, so you shouldn't have any issues as long as you start out the right way. Personally, I would drill the display aquarium rather than use an overflow box or a DIY overflow tube/tubes.
As far as doing a reef, start with a FOWLR (Fish Only With Live Rock) and run the system like that for a few months in order to make sure it's mature & stable; most corals don't do very well in unstable and/or new systems. I would get a few LED lights rather than T5HO lights as you'll be able to keep a wider variety of corals while also saving money on electricity; the Ecoxotic PAR38 bulbs are pretty nice & give you good bang for your buck.
As far as doing a reef, start with a FOWLR (Fish Only With Live Rock) and run the system like that for a few months in order to make sure it's mature & stable; most corals don't do very well in unstable and/or new systems. I would get a few LED lights rather than T5HO lights as you'll be able to keep a wider variety of corals while also saving money on electricity; the Ecoxotic PAR38 bulbs are pretty nice & give you good bang for your buck.
Yeah I plan on do like 3/4 of the tank as a refugium and the othe 1/4 for the return pump and some biological media. something similar to this http://www.melevsreef.com/sump.html. Also what would be a good diverse array of fish for a FOWLR tank for someone new to saltwater. I would really like fish with "personalities"/behavior similar to some of the bigger cichlids I guess. Just something that isn't hiding all the time and is happy to swim right out front when I am by the aquarium. Thanks to everyone for all the help so far!!!
Well as far as stock goes, get a pair of percula clowns. Lots of personality there! Also IME, a flame angel would be good. Mine's always flitting around the tank nibbling on stuff. It darts in the rock when I come in the room but I'm working with them on tapping the glass and talking to them when I come in. They all come out to say hi when they realize it's just me. I like scooters a lot too, for some bottom action. The sand sifting gobys are fun to watch too. Ive also got a bangaii cardinal that's taken to hiding a lot lately. Im told though that if i get another one, he'll be more active. Whatever that's worth to ya, I hope that helps. Have fun with the little guys and let us know what you go with!
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All I've ever owned are reef fish - pretty much not like cichlids cept for the Fiji Barberi Clown very much like an aggressive cichlid. Another one with huge personality is the jawfish. But ultimatly I find the Cow Fish to be the one with the most personality unfortunately it will need a larger tank than 75 gal.