Hi guys, so i've decided, after years of desire, that now is the time to go for a saltwater set up! Ive read 'the conscientious marine aquarist' and spent what feels like an eternity gleening as much info as possible from forums/web resources. I've got a grasp of what the essential items do, and how they do it(or at least i think i do, time will tell!) Im just having trouble deciding which bits of kit are going to be essential for my setup, and more importantly what spec i need to get and some recommendations of tried and tested pieces of kit if possible!
The plan is to start off slow, with FOWLR and then move onto a full reef setup once the tank is established, and i want to buy equipment which will allow me to have a reef setup when i decide with out having to upgrade pumps/protein skimmers etc. may as well get it all first as last, and save money in the long term! .
I have a floorspace of 48" x 24" by my dining table which i wish to utilise for my tank. I saw a Seashell aquarium in a store last week which i like so i think ill go with that. i can use the full floorspace, so i was thinking a tank of 48" x 24" x 24" would be the way to go? What size sump would be the norm for a tank of this size (450 litres by my reckoning)?
Will i need any filters apart from a protein skimmer and the live rock and substrate? If so any recommendations? and also what protein skimmer would you all recommend? I dont have endless amounts of money(unfortunately) but i am willing to be patient and save for things if needs be. I have around £2000 atm but dont need to get everything at once, although i do want to buy the tank and as much as possible now so theres no going back! (knowing my luck the car will breakdown/ roof on my house collapse and ill use the money for that if i dont). The rest will come out of my next pay at the end of the month and anything else will be stolen j/k lol.
What pump and powerheads/streams should i use for a tank this size? im guessing ill need two?
Also there is a cupboard under the stairs near to where the tank will be situated, and im currently re-routing some water pipes upstairs so i can get a water supply to the cupboard easily enough(gonna crack on with that this afternoon now) where i plan on having a RO unit to supply me with water for my water changes. Any advice on which 1 to get? there are so many with hardly any difference i can see apart from the number of stages/amount of water made.
Also,is there anything else i need to know before i take the plunge and order the tank(dont want to sound like a div on the phone lol)
Thanks peeps
The plan is to start off slow, with FOWLR and then move onto a full reef setup once the tank is established, and i want to buy equipment which will allow me to have a reef setup when i decide with out having to upgrade pumps/protein skimmers etc. may as well get it all first as last, and save money in the long term! .
I have a floorspace of 48" x 24" by my dining table which i wish to utilise for my tank. I saw a Seashell aquarium in a store last week which i like so i think ill go with that. i can use the full floorspace, so i was thinking a tank of 48" x 24" x 24" would be the way to go? What size sump would be the norm for a tank of this size (450 litres by my reckoning)?
Will i need any filters apart from a protein skimmer and the live rock and substrate? If so any recommendations? and also what protein skimmer would you all recommend? I dont have endless amounts of money(unfortunately) but i am willing to be patient and save for things if needs be. I have around £2000 atm but dont need to get everything at once, although i do want to buy the tank and as much as possible now so theres no going back! (knowing my luck the car will breakdown/ roof on my house collapse and ill use the money for that if i dont). The rest will come out of my next pay at the end of the month and anything else will be stolen j/k lol.
What pump and powerheads/streams should i use for a tank this size? im guessing ill need two?
Also there is a cupboard under the stairs near to where the tank will be situated, and im currently re-routing some water pipes upstairs so i can get a water supply to the cupboard easily enough(gonna crack on with that this afternoon now) where i plan on having a RO unit to supply me with water for my water changes. Any advice on which 1 to get? there are so many with hardly any difference i can see apart from the number of stages/amount of water made.
Also,is there anything else i need to know before i take the plunge and order the tank(dont want to sound like a div on the phone lol)
Thanks peeps
