New to hobby just got my first tank

Hey mark welcome to the addiction, I would deff make your own sump. a 20 long would be the way to go. first thing I would do is get a skimmer so you can build your sump according to the size of skimmer you get. Lights will really depend on what type of coral your looking at. or if you plan on coral at all. if it is a fish only tank you can get by with any light.

if you have any questions feel free to ask or pm me. but the bulk of the general population are always here to help.

One thing I wold definitely suggest is to buy things with the future in mind, you dont want to have to buy things twice.

 

I second welcoming you to this addiction. Definitely plan for the future mind, no sooner than you think you have it right the bug will bite and it'll be time to upsize or upgrade. Lighting does depend alot on what your choices for the tank will be. Definitely the one thing to do is ask ALOT of questions no matter how stupid you may think it is, it's not. Also patience, patience, patience nothing in the hobby happens in the short term, except disasters.

 

Welcome to the site Mark.
hope to see you at some local meeting in the future.

 

welcome, im also currently in the process of building my first SW tank right now. the people on this site are a great help and the local meetings are very educational

 

You have come to the right place! I am also new to SW and the people here have been great teachers! Welcome aboard.

 

welcome to the site and your legal addiction lol best advise is to go slow and read and ask questions remember there is no such thing as a dumb question. i am from davenport as well and have been reefkeeping for about eight or nine years and I have kept freshwater for 35 years If ii can help you in any way feel free to ask.  kevin aka (pondman)

 

Im gonna have to use that LEGAL ADDICTION next time on the wife is she says anything!!!! lol