im new to sw and a few questions cuz i got all differnt answers

[meagheavz]

well the most important right now im trying to get a 55 started, should i use a wet/dry or sump thats if i can use a wet/dry( but i cant drills holes in my tank, i must a tub(cant spell) or such in the tank that leads to the filter
here is the list of things i wsas gonna get off of foster and smith or wutever
let me know if it sounds good i ask a friend but he only knew nano tanks
CD-930816 Versa-Tops 24" $11.99 x = $23.98
CD-157519 Deluxe Heaters 300 watt $19.99 x = $19.99
CD-970380 Mag-Float Small $7.99 x = $7.99
CD-517553 SeaClone Protein Skimmer SCPS 100 (up to 100 gallons) $67.99 x = $67.99
CD-907026 Master Liquid Test Kit Saltwater $17.99 x = $17.99
CD-517527 Maxi-Jet Powerhead/Pump Model 900 (230 gph) $14.99 x = $29.98
CD-18773 Thermometer 2-1/4" x 1-1/2" $5.19 x = $5.19
CD-18736 Vital Sine Refractometer $109.99 x = $109.99
CD-21216 Algae Scrapers Magical Cleaning Rod (long) $9.59 x = $9.59
CD-21108 Nova Extreme T-5 Fixtures w/Lunar Lights 48" - 216 watts $199.99 x = $199.99
CD-22840 MegaFlow Sump Filter Model 1

 

[Lorna]

CD-930816 Versa-Tops 24" $11.99 x = $23.98 (this is not necessary go to lowes and buy a sheet of eggcrate and cut it to fit the top cost $10)CD-157519
Deluxe Heaters 300 watt $19.99 x = $19.99 300 watts is a bit high, get 200w
CD-970380 Mag-Float Small $7.99 x = $7.99 good
CD-517553 SeaClone Protein Skimmer SCPS 100 (up to 100 gallons) $67.99 x = $67.99 sorry this skimmer is a piece of junk, better to spend your money on a really good one such as a Aqua C Remora hob for about $200I suggest you take the money you were spending on the wet/dry and use it for this skimmer and some good live rock, no wet/dry necessary
CD-907026 Master Liquid Test Kit Saltwater $17.99 x = $17.99 yes
CD-517527 Maxi-Jet Powerhead/Pump Model 900 (230 gph) $14.99 x = $29.98 yes recommend two of these or better yet 2 of the Korallia 3's
CD-18773 Thermometer 2-1/4" x 1-1/2" $5.19 x = $5.19 yes
CD-18736 Vital Sine Refractometer $109.99 x = $109.99 this is expensive you can get a good quality refractometer for about $50
CD-21216 Algae Scrapers Magical Cleaning Rod (long) $9.59 x = $9.59 nice but not necessary
CD-21108 Nova Extreme T-5 Fixtures w/Lunar Lights 48" - 216 watts $199.99 x = $199.99 good light but not enough for sps or some hard corals but definitely a good start
CD-22840 MegaFlow Sump Filter Model 1 definitely not needed a sump is a good thing later down the road but right now you are better to spend this money on a good skimmer and live rock see above.

 

[meagheavz]

so this is wut i ended up getting
IO ocean master test kit
t8 3 light thing, cheap but it will do enough
with 2 protable lunar lights
red hydrometer
aquarium glass 300w heater
plane thermometer
1 power head
tom pro seriers sw 150 wet/dry skimmer
45lbs of sand
47 of rock

 

[meagheavz]

lol and they funny part is i was so excited , and now im like wtf did i do

 

[TheFool]

You should be worried... it would be very good if you can take some of this stuff back and get what you will need. The below might be a bit harsh, but it isn't, we are going to try to stop you spending money on a lot of unnecessary stuff so you can spend it on useful stuff.....

First of all blow 20 dollars on a book called the New Marine Aquarium by Mike Paletta and don't spend a dollar more till you've read it. Most lfs, petstores are not capable of outfitting you for a successful saltwater setup, and a book has certain advantages over the internet, mostly in that you'll get a better description of the big picture of setups.

OK.....

IO ocean master test kit
t8 3 light thing, cheap but it will do enough <no it won't, not for corals. Will do for fish>
with 2 protable lunar lights <luxury item>
red hydrometer <red?. Is it a swing arm. Be careful, if youdon't keep it clean, and have a measured flat and LEVEL surface it will be inaccurate - measure one with a bubble level reader>
aquarium glass 300w heater <too big - is this thing going in your garden or unheated garage. The risk is that if it sticks it will boil the tank to soup very, very fast>
plane thermometer <ok>
1 power head <inadequate, mile too little. For a 55 think to be looking at atl east 3 or 4 of the big one - you want to be moving at least 500, 600 gallons an hour>
tom pro seriers sw 150 wet/dry skimmer <junk. Wet drys are horrible old technology, skimmer doesn't skim. Hello algae problems>
45lbs of sand <whot sort?>
47 of rock <dead I assume>

Most tanks nowadays use live rock, lots of circulation and a big skimmer, and they do that because it's an easy way to a working setup. you are choosing to go with a setup from the 80's, and they did not work so well.

Read the book ,and spend wisely, or you will be rapidly bled of cash I'm sorry to say. But best of luck

 

[spllouder]

Iam also Very New to SW systems and. i Agree Dont get a wet/dry . its not needed for a strong natural marine eco-system . Get alot of Flow and Live rock and Sand . and a good protein skimmer . if you want to do more you can do a sump/refuge . That grows good alge that will filter the salt water better than wet/dry could . Good Luck

 

[Lorna]

I guess you didn't bother to read my comments above......The Fool is right and knows whats up. If you don't want to buy the book at the very least read the stickies at the top of this forum, then re-read my comments and if you still don't understand them them pm me and I will explain them to you in detail. This hobby can suck money from you as fast as a money pit and unless you like to throw it away you will need to research very carefully and long on what you want and need. Most LFS are in the business to make money by taking yours.......you can do this hobby on a budget, but those areas that we said to spend your money on are important and will go with you to the next level should you stick with it. We are not trying to be mean just trying to help.......we have been down this road and know a few things.

 

[CoolWaters]

dont get a hydrometer...thats very inaccurate...and for something that big might as well invest $30 into a refractometer on ebay. best investment so far..

if u mod the seaclone it works great...not that hard too

 

[meagheavz]

im so ****** i think...i put everything in the tnak i dont hink i can return... and IDK if the Tom Aquatics Rapids Pro Series PS3 is going to wkr..****

 

[spllouder]

I dont know what the wet/dry looks like , but maybe it could be turned into a sump/refuge . Maybe someone else that know more could come in .

 

[YahooFishKeeper]

not likely..... im pretty sure theyre kindof like giant canister filters.

and meagheavs... not to sound harsh, but lorna is one of the top members of this forum and gave wonderful advice above, then you post about how you went out and got just about everything she warned you about and nothing she reccommended.

 

[meagheavz]

LOL wow so i havent been here for a few days. uhm i didnt get anything on any of list i went with a friend you has a 800gallon reef and got stuff..and i do hav a book. books arent always helpful sometimes u need to see it( im hands on)..i went to a store i got other things.. my wet/dry is great, it hav a really nice skimmer and its sump/ru..and it seems to work fine..

 

[Lorna]

Well I am still not sure exactly what you got. Maybe you could give us a list of exactly what you got. Yes books are good, but some books that are only a few years old are still recommending things like undergravel filters and wet/drys. The newer methods which are proven are to use things like a deep sand bed and live rock for filtration coupled with a protein skimmer and good water flow. My comments were meant to save you money and to point you in the direction where you would have the best chance of success. Most people that leave this hobby within a year are due to bad equipment choices and lack of research. What ever you do, do not add any animals (fish or corals or inverts) until you are fully cycled and when you do go to add animals check with us and we will give you our educated advice.