For about the past 6 months I have been considering a marine reef tank. I've gone from planning on converting my 10g FW tank, to converting my FW 20g long tank, to finally deciding on a 55 US gallon with a 20g long sump! 
This will be a slow setup over the next few months and by April I should be running my salted tests and cycling.
Today I've ordered my light unit, AquaticLife T5 HO with lunar lights. It's got 1 plug and a timer which allows individual control of each light. I was a bit weary about it at first but after reading some reviews I think it's the best deal that I could find on a nice light fixture that has had great reviews.
I will be ordering a protein skimmer within the month but I am unsure which type I want to go for, whether it be out of sump, in sump, or hang on the sump. I was leaning more towards a hang on skimmer, in specific the deltec mce600 to allow more room under the cabinet for auto top off and in the sump for a larger refugium. If I can't find a second hand deltec within the next few months I may just go with an AquaC Remora. I've read great reviews about them and they seem pretty quiet.
I'm planning on a DIY stand built a little larger than the tank so I can house the sump underneath. I'm a little thrown off about the tank though. I'm not sure if I want to purchase a tank pre-drilled with a built in overflow or if I want to just use a hang on overflow box. With the built in box i will have less room in the tank but I won't need to allow much room behind the tank for plumbing etc. With the hang on I open up space but need to allow more behind the tank. If I go for the pre-drilled I'm not sure where I will need to drill holes in the stand or if it can be done due to the frame.
I'm also planning on a DIY sump using a standard 20g long aquarium and acrylic baffles. Design will need to be reviewed since I've got only a small clue as to how it should go. I do want a pretty decent sized refugium with a DSP, LR rubble and some macro algae.
I know there are some other items such as the refractometer, heater, powerheads, and pumps which will all come with time as my plans come along.
Stocking:
2 Tank bred juvie clowns (cliche right?)
Pistol shrimp / goby pair - so awesome
Possibly a Royal Gramma (Not too sure)
Other than that I'm not sure how much more or what else would fit in there with the CUC and the corals. For corals I am hoping with the lighting I'll be able to do most types.
Coral ideas:
Frogspawn
Torch
Hammer
Brain
Variety of Zoas
Mushies
Toadstool Leather
I know it's all a bit much but I'm sure plannings and things will change over the next few months as things start to come together. Let me know what you think and please toss some more ideas around for me since it's my first salty experience. If I'm going to jump in, I want to jump in with both feet.
This will be a slow setup over the next few months and by April I should be running my salted tests and cycling. Today I've ordered my light unit, AquaticLife T5 HO with lunar lights. It's got 1 plug and a timer which allows individual control of each light. I was a bit weary about it at first but after reading some reviews I think it's the best deal that I could find on a nice light fixture that has had great reviews.
I will be ordering a protein skimmer within the month but I am unsure which type I want to go for, whether it be out of sump, in sump, or hang on the sump. I was leaning more towards a hang on skimmer, in specific the deltec mce600 to allow more room under the cabinet for auto top off and in the sump for a larger refugium. If I can't find a second hand deltec within the next few months I may just go with an AquaC Remora. I've read great reviews about them and they seem pretty quiet.
I'm planning on a DIY stand built a little larger than the tank so I can house the sump underneath. I'm a little thrown off about the tank though. I'm not sure if I want to purchase a tank pre-drilled with a built in overflow or if I want to just use a hang on overflow box. With the built in box i will have less room in the tank but I won't need to allow much room behind the tank for plumbing etc. With the hang on I open up space but need to allow more behind the tank. If I go for the pre-drilled I'm not sure where I will need to drill holes in the stand or if it can be done due to the frame.
I'm also planning on a DIY sump using a standard 20g long aquarium and acrylic baffles. Design will need to be reviewed since I've got only a small clue as to how it should go. I do want a pretty decent sized refugium with a DSP, LR rubble and some macro algae.
I know there are some other items such as the refractometer, heater, powerheads, and pumps which will all come with time as my plans come along.
Stocking:
2 Tank bred juvie clowns (cliche right?
)Pistol shrimp / goby pair - so awesome
Possibly a Royal Gramma (Not too sure)
Other than that I'm not sure how much more or what else would fit in there with the CUC and the corals. For corals I am hoping with the lighting I'll be able to do most types.
Coral ideas:
Frogspawn
Torch
Hammer
Brain
Variety of Zoas
Mushies
Toadstool Leather
I know it's all a bit much but I'm sure plannings and things will change over the next few months as things start to come together. Let me know what you think and please toss some more ideas around for me since it's my first salty experience. If I'm going to jump in, I want to jump in with both feet.
hahaha
