New Tank on a budget

[pamelahaley]

I know budget and Reef keeping don't come on the same page but, I'm trying.

I have a hang on the back filter/sump for a 55 gallon tank.

Am looking at getting a 55 gallon bowfront for a "steal"

I need to know what kind of lighting I will need and find a bargain there.

I also want to know what I NEED when it comes to the set up.

I have been running a 24 gallon nano so, everything I need is inside.

When do I move onto NEEDING a protein skimmer, kalk reactor and all those other doohickeys people add into their systems.

I'm planning on continuing Fish, coral and LR. If I keep the fish rule at 1 per 6-10 gallons?

Can I have Tangs? Considering a teeny tiny baby clown or picasso trigger. I hear if you start them off in a community system they don't cause problems.

 

[gnashty]

I put my comments in bold italic in your post

Pamelahaley;604801 wrote: I know budget and Reef keeping don't come on the same page but, I'm trying.

I have a hang on the back filter/sump for a 55 gallon tank.

Am looking at getting a 55 gallon bowfront for a "steal"

Should be some out there for ya!</em>

I need to know what kind of lighting I will need and find a bargain there.

I wouldnt run anything below T5 personally</em>

I also want to know what I NEED when it comes to the set up.

I have been running a 24 gallon nano so, everything I need is inside.

When do I move onto NEEDING a protein skimmer, kalk reactor and all those other doohickeys people add into their systems.

Some people never skim, I am a skimmer man myself so I would personally get one. shouldnt need a reactor if you keep your husbandry up and WC with a good salt mix oryou can supplement with hand dosing</em>

I'm planning on continuing Fish, coral and LR. If I keep the fish rule at 1 per 6-10 gallons?

forget that rule, its about the fish and dimensions of your tank in most cases...Ive never understood the rule</em>

Can I have Tangs? Considering a teeny tiny baby clown or picasso trigger. I hear if you start them off in a community system they don't cause problems.

Its not always about aggression when it comes to tank size and fish persay, its about quality of life for the fish. A picasso however can be very mean, they will eat your inverts (thats what they eat in the wild) and may much corals...skip the trigger. a 55 may limit you on what fish you want. Im not saying you cant put tangs in a 55 but I wouldnt (badge carrying tang police here!! lol). Even when small they are piggies they foul water fast (same with triggers/puffers) and they would grow so fast you would have to rehome them anyway. I personally try to never put anything in my tank that I may have to remove. It can be very difficult in an established reef tank. </em>

</em>

 

[thanh386]

Lots of tanks have been on sale recently so I dont think it'll be a problem for you to find one. As for lighting, I'd think u'll do well getting a 4 bulb T5-HO fixture ( assuming you go with the 55G). It produces enough par so you should be able to grow most things. And bulbs are relatively cheap. Skimmer is a MUST... i repeat a MUST. Dosers and ractors you can go without if you just dose manually, kinda annoying but much cheaper. You might get away with maybe 1-2 tangs ( assuming you get them early and small, I have 3 in my 90 for a while and they just get fatter not bigger) . Dont kill me tang police, mine are HAPPY!! i wouldn't get a clown trigger if u plan on having small fish, coral, shrimp, etc... they are evil and nom nom nom all their tank mates. There are alot of reef safe trggers you can look into, nigers get fairly big quickly tho. Good luck and happy hunting

 

[thanh386]

Wow.. gnashty posted much faster and better than me!!

 

[redpacus]

biggest thing is doing it slow and searching out those sales also catalina aquarium has great prices on there light and cheaper when you call. I have a link to them on my site

 

[pamelahaley]

Thank you for all the input.

I've made the final decision, it's better to stick with what I got until I get more financially sound. (Nixed the whole idea in lieu of a cat needing dental work) I'm thinking I'll just start with building up DIY LED lighting for my current tanks when I can afford the materials.

For now, I picked up some old Nano cube hoods from another member and believe I can use all these parts to upgrade lighting on the 10 gallon.