Noobie here!

[90addict]

What's up reef fam!? My name's Dan and I'm a new member looking to learn as much as possible. For a little background, I am a father of twin little girls that are almost 2. I live in Delaware and am a union pipefitter/welder. As of late, my little girls are starting to be really really interested in fish. This is my main reasoning for wanting to start a saltwater tank. I bought a used 55gl and a stand. Gonna be cleaning it up in the next few days to start setting it up. My goal is to hopefully house some cool fish. Maybe dwarf lionfish, puffers, ect. I'll attach pics of tank and Amazon list of things I was gonna buy. Any advice is appreciated

 

[revhtree]

Welcome to your new home for saltwater reef aquarium resources and fun! Welcome to the family!

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

Welcome to Reef2reef, Dan!

1) you probably want to get a higher quality heater. If not, get an Inkbird controller to monitor and control the heater so if it fails you are alerted before it is too late.

2) are you going to want to add corals? If so, you need better lighting. If not then don't worry about it.

Best of luck!

 

[Dread Pirate Dave]

Hi Dan. Welcome aboard!

 

[NonstopSoda]

Welcome to R2R! I recommend getting a refractometers instead of the Hydrometer much more accurate and more reliable!

 

[timmyrules]

Hey Dan! Welcome to R2R!!!!

 

[Pistondog]

Hey Dan welcome. Get a bucket of salt. Youll need it for warer changes. Start with fish, like you are planning, thats easiest.
Great hobby for kids, and adults.

 

[vetteguy53081]

 

[00W]

Hey Dan welcome Welcome to R2R!
My advice always to beginners as far as equipment goes is do your research and buy the right thing the first time.

 

[Dread Pirate Dave]

Just to add to @WalkerLovesTheOcean 's list.

• I would get the inkbird controller regardless of heater being used. Just being able to be alerted to a heating issue is worth it.
• If you are keeping a fish only tank the reef crystals can be replaced with regular instant ocean.
• Rather than the hygger salinity tester I would go with hanna's digital one. It's more money but much easier to read and it takes into account the tank's temperature.
• A wavemaker for additional flow in the tank oxygenated.
• As far as hang on protein skimmers go you'll want to do some research and get one that doesn't put a lot of micro bubbles into your tank.

 

[vetteguy53081]

What's up reef fam!? My name's Dan and I'm a new member looking to learn as much as possible. For a little background, I am a father of twin little girls that are almost 2. I live in Delaware and am a union pipefitter/welder. As of late, my little girls are starting to be really really interested in fish. This is my main reasoning for wanting to start a saltwater tank. I bought a used 55gl and a stand. Gonna be cleaning it up in the next few days to start setting it up. My goal is to hopefully house some cool fish. Maybe dwarf lionfish, puffers, ect. I'll attach pics of tank and Amazon list of things I was gonna buy. Any advice is appreciated

In lieu of the hang on power filter, I highly recommend a hang on refugium which will offer filtration needs. The hang on filter is a mechanical unit and you want to have mechanical , biological and chemical to manage proper water quality. The aquaclear will polish water and trap particles via the cartridge.
Chemical is what traps and breaks down chemical compounds such as feces and uneaten food often accomplished with use of carbon and GFO as examples
Biological is what utilizes the natural process of biological filtration such as use of ceramic nuggets, bio blocks, and microscopic bacteria surfaces as examples. Best it to add or use a hang on refugium such as Reef octopus or AquaMaxx unit and even add a hang on skimmer such as ice cap K1- or K2 100

 

[Pistondog]

Dan,
I like your equipment choices. You can spend a lot more on better quality, but that will be wasted if the fam loses interest in the hobby.
You can always upgrade later, if desired.

 

[kevgib67]

Welcome Dan, glad you are here! I wish you and your girls the best of luck.

 

[phillyb614]

 

[Buckster]

Hello Dan and Welcome to R2R! Already you have been advised by many so I won't say anything besides "Wishing you the best"

 

[90addict]

I thank you all for the advice and welcoming words! I am doing some research now on some of the advice I've gotten. I'm pretty "in the dark" with some of these marine words and abbreviations but I'm getting there lol

 

[Dread Pirate Dave]

This is something I have considered using on an observation tank. It has a built in skimmer and biological media. The micro bubble catching sponge is a nice touch too. (this used to be branded aquamaxx - not sure if it is the same company)

HF-M Complete Filtration System

Filtration that Promotes a Clean and Healthy Aquarium Convenient Hang-On-Back Design Efficient Protein Skimmer Built-In Easy-To-Access, Drop-In Media Cartridge Spacious Customizable Filtration Chamber Probe Holders (3x) Dosing Tube Holders (3x) Cord/Tubing Management Cut-Outs The ideal...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[Ocean_Queenie]

Hello & Welcome Dan!

 

[MDAquatics]

Welcome to the family! I have the skimmer, its a boss

 

[vetteguy53081]

This is something I have considered using on an observation tank. It has a built in skimmer and biological media. The micro bubble catching sponge is a nice touch too. (this used to be branded aquamaxx - not sure if it is the same company)

HF-M Complete Filtration System

Filtration that Promotes a Clean and Healthy Aquarium Convenient Hang-On-Back Design Efficient Protein Skimmer Built-In Easy-To-Access, Drop-In Media Cartridge Spacious Customizable Filtration Chamber Probe Holders (3x) Dosing Tube Holders (3x) Cord/Tubing Management Cut-Outs The ideal...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

This is a hang on fuge which I mentioned