New Kid On The Block
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: DIY
Forum Description: Do it Yourself
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=39809
Printed Date: July 15 2026 at 9:59am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: New Kid On The Block
Posted By: MRyno
Subject: New Kid On The Block
Date Posted: March 27 2010 at 5:03pm
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Hey guys! So I am getting into saltwater. Some guys at work have done it and I have been doing some SCUBA recently and I am looking forward to a little hobby. So, to start off, I am a complete noob. I am looking to start a tank in the 30-40 gallon range (I heard larger is easier to maintain). My first question is what are the components that I need to get started? Not the process because I have seen instructions on that, but just a list of things that I will need (ie. tank, filter, heater, testing equip., salt, light type, etc.). Maybe even a recommendation on some equipment specifics would be great. Second, and more specifically, I am looking at the SeaClear 36 Gallon Tank ( http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753102&ab=hp_lv_fish - link ). Is acrylic better, worse or the same as glass when it comes to salt? Is there a better direction to go than that? If you think it's an ok tank, maybe let me know what I will need to go with it. Thanks a TON for the help in advance. Like I said, I am a complete noob and feel a little needy to be asking so much, but any help or advice is greatly appreciated!! |
Replies:
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: March 27 2010 at 5:17pm
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WELCOME!
You've found the most helpful people around... I'm sure we'll have some people near Provo who could help you easily with a little visit. I'd recommend heading over and visiting any of the people who volunteer below....
Adam ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Posted By: MRyno
Date Posted: March 27 2010 at 5:20pm
Thanks Adam! I am really excited to get started with the new aquarium and hopefully someday actually contribute to the site, too.
 Thanks for the welcome and I'm sure there will be plenty of great advice! Thanks again!Ryan |
Posted By: bugzme
Date Posted: March 27 2010 at 5:49pm
Welcome to the site! I like glass. It's true, the bigger the better.  ------------- Jeff 125 tank 50 gallon sump T-5 lighting Rum drinker, Carbon User I KNOW ROCKS THAT ARE YOUNGER THEN ME!! I AM A Realist! I write what I think!! |
Posted By: Dion Richins
Date Posted: March 27 2010 at 5:55pm
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Welcome!!!! I also perfer glass to acrylic. Much easier to clean.
I would go around and see other peoples tanks and see how and why they set them up that way. The more you study the more you will be prepared. Your always welcome to stop by and see my systems. ------------- http://www.customaquariumfurniture.com" rel="nofollow - Bad "censored" Cabinets Best quality in the valley! He is one sexy bald guy, even with out a finger!(MAC) |
Posted By: Ryan Thompson
Date Posted: March 27 2010 at 6:05pm
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My systems are all open to you as well. I am just in Lehi so not too bad of a drive. I also recommend going with glass over acrylic. If I were you I would research as much as you can and then go on the REEF TOUR!!! It is on Saturday, April 24th all day. You will learn so much you will have to take notes. I recommend going with an Aqueon tank as they are on sale for 40% off. You could get a 40 gallon breeder for pretty darn cheap. I LOVE my 40 gallon breeder. Here is a link to my build. It is a little outdated but I will update it soon. http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=38114 - http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=38114 Welcome to the club! Ryan |
Posted By: ksmart
Date Posted: March 27 2010 at 6:46pm
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Welcome! Im pretty new to this hobby too and this place has been great! Like Ryan I also have a 40 gal breeder that I love. Once you decide on the size of tank and what you want to keep like a fish only or fish and coral then people can give you better recommendations for things you will need to go with the tank. Example a fish only tank may not require as good of lighting as a tank that you'd keep coral in. So a few things to think about. Again welcome to the club and hobby! ------------- |
Posted By: bugzme
Date Posted: March 27 2010 at 6:50pm
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Always welcome to come see my tank setup ------------- Jeff 125 tank 50 gallon sump T-5 lighting Rum drinker, Carbon User I KNOW ROCKS THAT ARE YOUNGER THEN ME!! I AM A Realist! I write what I think!! |
Posted By: superman1981
Date Posted: March 27 2010 at 10:43pm
I'm like president of the Crappy Reefers Club, but if you want to check out a crappy tank, I'm just up the street in Orem 
Welcome to the club! Oh, and my tank is like a billion times better than Ryan Thompson's. ------------- Sure you are, you are Crappy Reef Club Member #1 -Chk4tix 6 gal nanocube 65 gal http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78639&title=tims-65-gallon-build" rel="nofollow - build thread |
Posted By: MRyno
Date Posted: March 27 2010 at 11:29pm
| Awesome! Thanks for the offers guys! I work up in Lehi and live in Provo so I may have to stop by sometime. I am thinking coral and fish. It will be in the basement, so a heater for sure. I'm mostly worried about filtration and overflow and all that business. Do I go for an all-in-one solution like an Eclipse hood or do things separately? Should I buy a kit or buy everything separately (if separately, what do I need?)? I'm probably making too big of a deal out of it, bit I would like to do it the right way. I have just seen all these custom built set ups with acrylic bending and all that. I am cool doing that kind of stuff, but what order do I set these things up? :) If you know a post that covers this, definitely throw it my way so I'm not bugging you guys. Thanks again!! |
Posted By: Jeremyw
Date Posted: March 27 2010 at 11:41pm
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You can always stop by my place in PG im like 2 min off the freeway! My first tank was an eclipse. I keep a clown fish and mushrooms. But nothing other than that ever did well. I then went to a 55 gallon tank with a HOB overflow to a sump and that tank I could keep anything! It had PC lights and everything did very well. I like my nanos that they are all in ones. It makes them easy (ps i have a 12 gallon FS)
I would get a tank, if it drilled better. If not use and HOB overflow. From there get lights you can find them on the board or on places like KSL. Stop by some time and it would really help to see what you would need! ------------- Next meeting: |
Posted By: providence
Date Posted: March 28 2010 at 4:45am
WELCOME!!!! I have never had acrilic but "love to hate glass" I love it because it does not scratch as easy but when it does scratch its permenent acrilic you can get removal kits but imo (in my opimion) I think glass is easier to clean you can use a rasorblade  there aer some abreviations that are used alot imo is one lps (Large Polyp Stony Corals) and SPS (small polyp stony corals) are a few if you have any questions just ask we are NOT like other sites that make fun we are here to help with anything we possibly can.
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Posted By: EvanB756
Date Posted: March 28 2010 at 9:46am
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I like glass a lot better as well. not scratched nearly as much and much easier to clean like stated before. if your looking at filtration, I'd go with a sump. (if there is room of coarse) then a skimmer and macro algae to take out any extra nutrients. Also there a ton of experienced reefers down in provo area. I'm sure most people would let you come check out their tank ( after all, everyone likes to show off their small piece of ocean) ------------- 90gal display w/ 30gal sump. |
Posted By: CapnMorgan
Date Posted: March 28 2010 at 12:03pm
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I like glass mostly because it is convenient, but acrylic does show your colors better and is less prone to leaking from damaged seals. You should definitely go on the Reef Tour if you're thinking of getting into it, you'll be able to see many different ways to set up and successfully maintain a reef. It will also help you to avoid added expense and headache as you're setting up to be ablke to see many tanks and decide exactly what you want and need for your reef. ------------- Steve http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40637&PID=356246" rel="nofollow - My Old 180G Mixed Reef Currently: 120G Wavefront Mixed 29G Seahorse & Softies Running ReefAngel Plus x2 435-8 |
Posted By: MRyno
Date Posted: April 20 2010 at 12:13pm
So I am about a week and a couple days into the post-build process. I have a blue-green chromis, an emerald crab and a cleanup crew. Things are looking very good as far as they are now. All my levels are "ideal" and my salinity is at approx 1.2 (just above actually). I had gotten 2 chromis from The Aquarium in SL, but I can't find one of them. Not floating, not on the floor, not on the sand (that I can see). I am not too worried though. He looked gnarly when I got him, but figured he may die anyways because he was my tester fish. The other chromis looks good though. A little shy, but good. Here is a picture of the tank as it sits. For the overflow, I will actually run the plumbing into the closet just behind the tank so I can keep a bigger overflow. I still need to make all that happen though. Maybe this weekend... I'll post more pics of the actual build when I get a chance to get them off my camera... |
Posted By: Ryan Thompson
Date Posted: April 20 2010 at 12:28pm
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Looking good! I see a few small things I would change. Move one of the powerheads closer to the surface and have it push water across the tank more. Also what is your salinity?? It should be right around 1.025 or so, not 1.2
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Posted By: Luckedout
Date Posted: April 20 2010 at 1:05pm
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yeah.. check that salinity again. Otherwise the tank looks great! ------------- -Ben 90g Mixed reef www.body-balancechiropractic.com |
Posted By: xlr8r
Date Posted: April 20 2010 at 1:10pm
| I agree with Ryan on the powerhead location. After trying various places, I found that putting one close to the surface made much happiness in the tank. Both of mine are close to the top pointing level. Get some surface agitation. |
Posted By: MRyno
Date Posted: April 20 2010 at 11:22pm
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Awesome. Sorry. The salinity WAS 1.021 ish not 1.2. I just raised it to
1.023. Not sure if that is "ideal" but I knew it was a little low. I'll
move the powerhead up and hopefully make things a little happier. I have a couple Chromis in there and they seem to be pretty happy. They are eating well and coming out from the corner now. I think I need to increase my cleanup crew though. I am getting some algae buildup on the sand. I will watch it the next couple days and get some this weekend if it doesn't get better. I also just got a 40 gallon sump! I am going to run the tubing through the wall to the closet just behind the tank. (there is already a little conduit because the closet is a rack-mount media closet as well. All the tank stuff will be far away from that stuff though. :-) |
Posted By: Ahanix
Date Posted: April 20 2010 at 11:24pm
| 1.025 is ideal, but its good that you are moving up slowly, I would finish bumping it up tomorrow to that level. By the way, did you find your third Chromis? |
Posted By: MRyno
Date Posted: April 21 2010 at 12:14am
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I haven't found him. I have looked to see if maybe somehow he jumped but, nothing. :-) He is definitely not floating or anywhere on the bottom that I can see. He has got to be toast though because it has been a couple days... The crabs must have gotten him. I will spray a little water behind the rocks and see if I can't find the body.
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