Starting a reef tank...

[idgy]

I just got an Elos tank; I want to do a reef tank. I currently have a FWLR tank; it’s now failing for some reason. The new tank is going to be a reef tank with reef friendly fish. I want to start of doing everything correctly.

It’s a 36 gallon tank with sump, I would like to know how much LR is correct, how deep should the sand bed be? What type of sand is good for a reef tank?
I currently have a Red Sea Max, I will be taking that down and selling once the new tank is up and running. My only problem is I have a pistol shrimp that I rarely see and he has made a home beneath that sand under a huge rock, how do I get him out safely? Can anyone recommend a great informative site on reef keeping?

Thanks

 

[Krish]

The best informative site on reefkeeping would be www.reeffrontiers.com. Check them out!!

As for the rock, it all depends on the look you are after. Some people go by the general rule of 1-2lbs of rock per gal just as a guideline, but it is by no means "gospel" as 50lbs of one rock could provide more biological filtration than 100lbs of another. It all depends on how porous the rock is so go with what appeals to you most somewhere within those guidelines.

As for sand, this depends on if you want to run a shallow sand bed or a deep sand bed. Both have to be cared for differently and both offer their pro's and cons. Whatever you do, I would suggest against something like crushed corals. Go with something a little finer.

Just a few thoughts for starters. Good luck with the tank and post plenty of pictures!


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