Blob-79 link said:
Either way I would be getting a drilled tank if I were you. You may not want corals or anything crazy right now...but we all know you will in the future. Getting the proper setup now will make you life that much easier in the future
Hey JBrimz - I find Blob's comment so true. I joined this site back in September/October and I had kinda taken the jump from Fresh to Saltwater with the idea of maintaining a FOWLR system. After a couple weeks of seeing these guys post pics of their amazing tanks and corals I have been regretting the route I had taken. I thought I would only want fish but I have since changed my mind!! (Thanks BLOB!!) If you want to stay on the FOWLR path that is fine too - just stay out of the members tanks thread!! LOL They'll hook you in!!
I don't have the proper set up to accommodate the transition and now I have the unfortunate task of upgrading while not trying to to disturb what I've got going on already. Probably just easier for me to set up another tank
There are a ton of great people on here who know their stuff!! Any issues or questions I've had these guys have not lead me astray. There are all kinds of stuff in books that you can research (which is fine), but if you want practical information and what works....ask these guys. Read Rick's section for Beginners. Lots of great information all over this site.....Library is a good spot too!!
It can't hurt to build a tank with everything you need to transition to a reef or mixed reef system. If you change your mind you really have nothing to lose...
Just an FYI - I started my FOWLR without a sump. I had heater, protein skimmer, cannister filter and a couple of power heads. Pretty much the basics without spending a ton of cash (aside from the fish). Sticking to a regular maintenance schedule and doing about 30% water change every week had me running a pretty smooth FOWLR. I would recommend getting an RO/DI system though as other people have already mentioned. It just saves a big hassle of lugging water around, long term cost of buying the water etc. So much easier to have your own system.
Just my two cents...