Tank & Sump planning questions

[Casimir]

I am new to Saltwater. I want to build my first reef system and desire to have easy corals and inverts, with minimal fish, and easy, natural maintenance. I am a frugal person and prefer DIY projects, but cost is not a concern. I expect to spend another 3-6 months planning and assemblying components. Tank location will be inside an attached 2 car garage in Reno, NV vacation home. I already have:

50g tank, 48x15x16x3/16 glass, former freshwater
5.5g tank, 16x8x10x1/8 glass, former terrarium
enclosed wood stand 44L x 10W x 19H clear interior

Any general comments or suggestions welcome.
Does the small tank work as sump or quarantine?
Should I get a new sump w/ skimmer or back of tank skimmer?
What's the minimum I should have to get the tank started?
What components should I plan to add later?
What type of reef system would work best for me?

 

[metalac]

So the 5.5 gallon tank might be too small for a sump, since you need space for intake + return pump + other equipment. So I would use that tank for a quarantine. If you can get an in-sump skimmer, they're much better and much easier to find and there is a lot more choice. When you start the tank you should have a skimmer, heater, and powerheads to move the water around, and of course all the plumbing and return pump for the sump. You don't need lights at the beginning and calcium reactors, carbon, etc. If you're putting in corals then PLENTY of light is a requirement for later as well as good amount of calcium, so you'd need a calcium reactor.

 

[Entacmaea]

Hi there, and welcome once again to the board. First step would probably be to research exactly what you would like to keep, or the group of animals you want to keep- "easy corals" can mean a range of organisms with different requirements. Then build your system from there. If I'm reading your specs right, I would not try to put a 48" tank on a 44" stand, and if you are already at a 48" inch tank length, I would upgrade to the largest 48" tank you can afford, (120 gallon ideally) with only a slight larger foot print. Also, you say this is going to go at a vacation home? How often are you going to be there? If not year-round, you are looking at some pretty heavy automation, and/or hiring an aquarium maintenance service.

I like that you are going to spend 3-6 months planning, means that you already have the most desirable reefing trait: patience!

Best, Peter