what do i need to start a reef tank
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This depends on few things. What types of corals are you wanting to be able to keep? What type of lighting is the 760 watt fixture? When you say "ok" protein skimmer, what do you mean by "ok?" How much live rock do you have?
If you're wanting to go reef, you'll want to get rid of the wet/dry filter. They quickly become a nitrate factory. In a reef system, your live rock, live sand and protein skimmer take care of all of your filtration needs.
A little more information about what you're wanting to turn this tank into will be helpful in answering your questions.
If you're wanting to go reef, you'll want to get rid of the wet/dry filter. They quickly become a nitrate factory. In a reef system, your live rock, live sand and protein skimmer take care of all of your filtration needs.
A little more information about what you're wanting to turn this tank into will be helpful in answering your questions.
i dont know yet i just want to be able to find some thing i like and not have to worrie about it being in my tank
the lights are 2 250 mh 15000k and 4 65watt compact floresents
i have a cpr 2 reef ready protein skimmer it gets alot of skimmate when it wants to
i have about 30-40 pounds of live rock i have a 4'' sand bed
the lights are 2 250 mh 15000k and 4 65watt compact floresents
i have a cpr 2 reef ready protein skimmer it gets alot of skimmate when it wants to
i have about 30-40 pounds of live rock i have a 4'' sand bed
Reefergeorge
Well-known member
What fish are in the tank? Some aren't reef safe.
Do you have a cleanup crew?
Do you have a cleanup crew?
Well, your lighting is adequate to handle just about any coral, anemone or clam. It would be good to add more live rock. 1-1 1/2 pounds per gallon is good...more is always better. A 4" deep sand bed could cause some problems. Most agree that a shallow sand bed is much easier to maintain.
I'm not familiar with that skimmer but a skimmer rated at 1 1/2 times your water capacity is a minimum IMO.
Again, you'll want to do away with that wet/dry. Other than that, you're off to a great start.
I'm not familiar with that skimmer but a skimmer rated at 1 1/2 times your water capacity is a minimum IMO.
Again, you'll want to do away with that wet/dry. Other than that, you're off to a great start.
twilliard
What next?
Not to knock your DSB but I would give that sand quite a bit more time before you start dumping a lot of money into corals.
Sounds like you have most of what you need.
Don't worry about reactors right now. If you get to a point where you feel you need them I would look into your sand.
Save your money now for a better skimmer. You may need it. I just upgraded to a ATI BM160 and it was the best purchase I have made yet for my reef.
You will learn what you need, and what you don't need.
Seriously though, give that sand more time.
It's a PITA to get that sand out later when it becomes a problem and your tanks full of SPS corals
Hope that helped
Sounds like you have most of what you need.
Don't worry about reactors right now. If you get to a point where you feel you need them I would look into your sand.
Save your money now for a better skimmer. You may need it. I just upgraded to a ATI BM160 and it was the best purchase I have made yet for my reef.
You will learn what you need, and what you don't need.
Seriously though, give that sand more time.
It's a PITA to get that sand out later when it becomes a problem and your tanks full of SPS corals
Hope that helped
Krish
RF STAFF
I agree on ditching the wet/dry if going for corals as they are nitrate factories and corals don't do so well where nitrates are present. Quite possibly, you can convert your wet/dry into a sump or even fuge if you like. As for what type of skimmer to get, there are many options out there however, some can get quite pricey so if you are on a strict budget, I'd check the for sale forum and see if there are any good deals out there. LAstly, about any reactors, not necessarily needed at this point as you can supplement calcium and alk with something like a 2 part additive like B-Ionic etc. As for a phosphate reactor, I ran a phosban reactor and loved it. Worked well and doesn't cost much at all. You are looking under $100 for the reactor, pump and media.
twilliard
What next?
No problem with the sand. But it could potentially be an issue later if a person doesn't care for it right.
I was just saying
Let it age now and see how it reacts to your tank setup and maintenance schedule.
I was just saying
Let it age now and see how it reacts to your tank setup and maintenance schedule.
Krish
RF STAFF
Do you mean running a deep sand bed (dsb)? If so, they take a while to setup/mature and function properly and also require special care so as to not disturb the lower anaerobic regions where denitrification takes place (where nitrates are converted to nitrogen gas) so a lot of people would suggest a shallow sand bed (ssb) or bare bottom (bb) setup which is a lot easier to maintain if your not up to the "challenge" or want to wait it out for the sand bed to mature. The main disadvantage of the ssb and bb setup is neither can perform denitrification, but there are other ways denitrification takes place in your system like in your live rock so a dsb is not necessary. Alot of people run bb tanks or ssb without any nitrate issues. Just a few thoughts...Hope that answered your question. If not, let us know specifically what you needed to know
twilliard
What next?
Krish defined it well
catw2020@yahoo.
New member
i'm just starting a reef tank. its a 25gl. i know small and scary, but i have a bacpak filtration system and about 1in thick sand and am building up the live rock. i've had the tank about 2 weeks. is there anything i might have overlooked for keeping up such a small tank? also i am trying to find a good place to buy live rock thats realitively cheap.
