potentail 55gal reef build

[fresh_water110gallon]

hi everyone i'm thinking about turning a 55gal glass aquarium (can't drill it) Into a reefwith posibly a few fish. What all would I need minimum before I could even think about putting coral inside the tank and what kind of filtration should I use? I've only have had experience to canisters and only with tropical fresh water tanks ( I have a 110gal wide, cichlid tank). thx for any help you can offer this salt water nubie

[rageybug]

Before you begin, the first step is to forget the word "minimum". If you half ass a reef tank, you might as well just burn your money. It will be faster and less painfull.

Start reading some articles about reef tanks and check back here later...

[Cliff]

+1 to the above

I would suggest a setup with live rock, a HOB protien skimmer, and reef lighting. The below can help you with that

http://saltwater.aquaticcommunity.co...ne-aquarium-2/

[glarior]

+1 to above.

Plan it right and you will have a great tank... plan it wrong and it will be a money pit.
Sump, LR, skimmer and reef lighting. Plus, test kits for ca, mg, nh3, no3 and ph. Then if the reef is using the elements you will need to dose the elements.

The key to it all is lots of research and understanding what each piece of the puzzle does.

[Strider199]

[QUOTE=glarior;1132164

The key to it all is lots of research and understanding what each piece of the puzzle does.[/QUOTE]
^^^^That is the key ^^^^

I started my reef in a 55 gallon. I wish I had gone to a wider tank. The stand for a normal 55 gallon will limit the size of sump one can have underneath the tank. I found a 16 gallon tall which I made into a sump for my skimmer but a 75 gallon would have been so much better. Using an overflow box(which I do) isn't as nice as having a canister or HOB or drilled tank. The stuff just doesn't get sucked away with an over flow box.
Live rock rules. Taking your time is a must. My head is still spinning with all the info I'm taking in on my current set-up.

[glarior]

My head is still spinning with all the info I'm taking in on my current set-up.

I have the same thing happen every time I get an "idea"