Thinking of starting SW

bigehugedome

On the RO/DI my buddy down the street has a unit. Im sure he will let me grab some water from him.

Sumps - Before i begin this, i want to have everything laid out from start to finish. Mainly so i can allocate money in a way that makes sense. I dont want to start buying part by part, and not be able to set up until next year. So i need to factor every piece of this project into a plan. Reefing Madness has a great starting list but im going to have to know what items i need for a sump, lights etc before I move forward. Ill look that site over and come back when i can propose my own plan, then you guys can help me make sure im doing it the right way.

I would like to use my python to refill as well (well i guess i wont for salt if I get RO/DI) but i assume if i go your way, then salt residue should be pretty much flushed out as i remove FW, then i should not have an issue adding FW.

Thanks everyone. Im excited to get started. Im going to ask alot of questions. But like I said, money is limited, so I want to do everything as best as I can. I need to know how and when I can spend my money. I want to make sure I can afford to finish the whole project in a reasonable amount of time before I buy anything else, but I dont want to buy junk items and create issues down the line.

bigehugedome

Oh, and there is a small bright pink fish that my GF really likes. Its very common, i think even petco has them. I just forget the name, and can't seem to find it online anywhere. If possible, i would like to consider that when deciding stock. Ill keep looking online.

Tazman

Check out Anthias, I suspect it might be one of them

The thing with using a python to refill the saltwater is you would need a fairly powerful pump to attach to the hose and then into the pale you will use to mix the saltwater. Given the length of the hose, it may make it more difficult.

A ball park figure for all the equipment assuming you have the tanks (main and sump) is going to be around a $1000 if you buy all new equipment, the skimmer being one of the most expensive if not the most expensive. DO not skimp on the skimmer, you will seriously regret it down the line.

onefish2fish

look into glass-holes.com for an over flow kit. next check out marco rock for dry rock. hydor is a good company for powerheads. the refractometer doesnt need to be digital, check ebay. it also wouldnt hurt to search your area for a local reefing club.

skip the catalina goby as the require cooler water for long term survival. unfortunately i would also skip all the anthias as they are pretty active fish requiring a larger tank.

the pink fish was prob. a pseudo chromis

Reefing Madness

Volusion Demo Store
New Circulating WaveMaker Aquarium Powerhead Pump 800gph Suction Cup Mount | eBay
Two 290gph Powerhead/Pump For Aquarium Reef Fish Coral | eBay
NEW RHS-10ATC 0-10% Salinity Refractometer Salt Water Aquarium | eBay

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...1+47&pcatid=47
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...28&pcatid=1128
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...170&pcatid=170

bigehugedome

Im going to say the fish she likes is a purple dotty back.


From Volusion, im assuming the $80 skimmer is what i would be looking at? It those prices i would get the next one up in hopes to move it to a bigger tank in the future, but then again, that would not be for at least two years.
And i would order all three powerheads?

The 50 pound box of Key Largo rock from Marco Rocks looks good to me.

I get the idea of sumps, but not exactly sure what it is ill need, and what i need to do to install and build it.

Im now taking noise into consideration as well, as this is in my office/ guest bedroom, and the stand is a double decker open metal stand.

Reefing Madness

As for the powerheads, no, you would just need to have a starting flow rate of 200gph. So one big powerhead or 2 at 100gph each.
$80 Skimmer would do ya, bigger the better. Noise is not a huge thing with a sump, I just get the water trickle noise coming from the outlets when my sump is alittle low. But other than that, nil for noise.
And this Link, originally post by Taz, is really a good read on Sumps.
Melevsreef.com | Acrylic Sumps & Refugiums

bigehugedome

OK im going to start building a list of equipment/prices. Ill also go over that site again, and try to figure out what is necessary for a sump, and post here and you guys can tell me what im doing wrong.

As far as hoods/lighting go, this is my hood:

Eclipse 2 Hood | ThatPetPlace.com

Im assuming the built in filter is not necessary. But since i have this hood id like to use it. Can i get by with the dual t-8 with some easy corals? What bulbs are necessary? Then I can upgrade to t5HO or whatever is reccomended down the line. I have not really looked into corals, i would just want something easy that will work with the t-8s for now.

And what type of sand is reccomended. Is live packaged ok? Any online vendors with something nicer?

Hopefully getting my security deposit back soon, so that will allow me to start buying. Thats why i would like to plan everything out now.

bigehugedome

So im understanding sumps. I hope to start planning the layout and deciding on the materials I need this weekend. Im just a little confused on the overflow. Now, im assuming i dont need any drilling if im to use a hob overflow. Is this correct?

I think im seeing downsides to hob overflow. For one, i need to make sure it can work with my hood. Like I said, I cant have an open top or cats will be swimming. It looks like glass-holes has lids for the overflow so thats good. Second, the tank needs to be further out from the wall, which is whatever.

I have not found a way to calculate what size overflow and return pump i need. Could you guys point me in the right direction?

Reefing Madness

DIY Overflow Using Only PVC Pipe (DIY OVERFLOW PROJECTS)
1"pvc will usually accomadate 600gph, so you'll need a pump that will return up to that after you consider head loss.
Quiet One 3000- 540gph at 5' head.
Lifegard Aquatics