New Kid On The Block

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 (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!!

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

Welcome!!!! I also perfer glass to acrylic. Much easier to clean.

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!

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.

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!

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)

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...

yeah.. check that salinity again.

Otherwise the tank looks great!

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. :-)