Got my tank, now what?

D

DeanneL

Membership Expired
I ordered my first tank yesterday. I got a 58 gallon. The guy called it a "tub" because it's 36x18. I paid extra so it will be reef ready. Although there were several nice tanks on the for sale board, something has got to be said for paying a little extra for a new one and getting exactly what you want.

Anyway, now on to the next purchases... What size sump and pump do a need for my 58 gallon? Also, I wanted to ask about protein skimmers. I want to be able to put that inside the sump. Is there a certain kind I should look for so it will fit under the stand?

BTW, I joined your club. Thanks for having me!

Deanne
Frisco, TX
 
I found the sump volume calculator at reefcentral as well as some answers to my sump question. I should get as big as I can afford and fit comforably in the stand. I'm still searching for info on the protein skimmers.
 
Yep.
The bigger the better.

Just make it fit under the stand comfortably. Increasing the total volume of water in your system makes it so it takes longer for toxins to build up.

People have been pleased with AquaCs. If you check out marinedepot.com they have aquaC urchins. They have very slim designs to fit in small sumps.

We got a 20g long aquarium and turned it in to our sump. As for pump size, you want to look for 3-5x your total water volume. So since you currently have about 60g that'd be a 180-300gph pump in your sump. Now, it won't be 60g since there'll be more water in your sump. Just adjust accordingly. I prefer not to be on the high end of that ratio because too much flow can prevent happy little critters from growing in your refugium (if you have one in your sump).

Any other sump questions can be directed toward Marc. He's the sump-man. You can have all your questions about sumps and refugiums answered at www.melevsreef.com . Spend a few hours there :D

-Catherine
 
Welcome to the club.


Our 1st tank was a 58 I love that size tank. Only reason I don't still have it is that it was not reef ready.
 
Oh, trust me....I've spent A LOT of time over at melevsreef.com. I think I've started getting a little delirious because the thought actually crossed my mind that I could actually put my own sump together using a glass or acrylic tank. *gasp*

All I need is a glass tank, some glass cut to size and some of that silicone stuff, right? Or, if I find an acrylic tank, I get acrylic pieces (for the baffles) and some Weld-on? Oh, but then I have to figure out the plumbing. :?

Question: I've noticed that some of the protein skimmers say that they come with a pump. Is this a return pump or a differnt kind of pump that the skimmer needs to run on?

Deanne
 
Deanne, just drink more Red Bull when you read my site. :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top