New Guy - First Reef Tank :)

So I'm looking for some help. I've read quit a bit but there seems to be many different options/methods for filtering. Enough to leave me a little confused. So here is what I think will best help me understand. I've read about all sorts of things, sumps, protein skimmers, refugiums, power heads, pumps, etc... I guess what would help me understand best is what exactly I need to be monitoring (like salinity, nitrates, etc) and what I use to keep them in check. For example to help keep nitrate levels in check use a protein skimmer (I hope I'm right in saying that).

I know its a lot to answer so I am happy if someone can point me to a good article or other online source :) So far I think I've decided that I want to use a sump to help increase my water volume. Probably a 10 gallon sump because I think i have an extra 10 gallon tank and it will fit under my 30 gallon tank out of sight. I don't know exactly how to set up the sump yet, or what exactly to put in it because I've read so many things :) Anyway, I really appreciate the help! i'm excited to get things started :)

 

Only advice I can give at this time is take it SLOW.  Do not rush things.  Let your tank cycle and add slowly .. very slowly.  Slow is worth the effort in the long run for a newbie in my opinion.

A skimmer is always helpful as it removes organic waste and helps keep the water clean.  A refugium can help with this, and so can water changes.  If you don't have too much livestock (fish, coral, inverts, etc.) and you don't feed too much, it is less of an issue.  

There are a lot of ways to do things in this hobby and there is no single right solution.  I'd recommend that you continue reading this forum, meet people and see their tanks (anyone on here will welcome you into their home), and talk to Mark Peterson.  He knows how to build a reef on a budget as well as anyone.

 

As far as your question about if you should set up a reef tank thats up to your personal preference. There is absolutely no reason you couldnt dive into a reef once everything is cycled (most of us start out with softies as they tend to be easier to care for).

 

Also keep your eyes on the classified section on here there is always really good deals on used equipment (i would actually recommend not buying anything new if you want to keep an affordable tank)... a lot of nice people on here will often give away some macro and/or frags to new reef keepers.

The key to using the plethora of information from the internet is knowing which information is correct and determining which methods will work for your situation. This club was formed so we could help each other in that regard.

After many years in this hobby, I have come to the understanding that the major part of salt water aquarium filtration, 90% or more, is the living part. It is the algae, bacteria, bugs, worms and coral that live in and on the rock, sand, and water. It's kind of gross but in the marine environment, the waste of one organism is food for another.

Good water movement is critical to the environment where that life, most of it sessile, can breathe, eat and excrete.  That is why many hobbyists find that after pumps and lighting, the next best supplemental equipment is either a particulate filter or a skimmer. I would add that Activated Carbon(AC) is a must for all reef aquariums.

The link in my signature line below, WMAS Reefkeeping Tips, goes over some basics of setting up the tank, what to monitor and how to avoid and deal with common problems.

I hope you enjoy the hobby.

Mahalo,
Mark