starting a reef tank

marccracco · 03-31-2003, 03:17 PM

Well I've been researching for a while but seem to find a lot of different information where I look. I'm looking to start a reef tank, I'm on a limited budget of roughly $1500. I've read about the different filtration systems and so on and so forth but they all say different things so I was hopping to get some ideas from people who've actually done this for a while. Also if anyone can recommend equipment and/or places to get it as for the tank itself has anyone bought used before or is it a big no-no. If anyone is from around San Diego is there a local store you really recommend.
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Marc

Prismaco · 03-31-2003, 04:22 PM

I would recommed live rock, live sand. I am new also but I know a couple of things...If you are ever in Sacramento, CA shoot me a PM and I can get you deals on any fish stuff. And I know some people that have shops.

-Paul

marccracco · 03-31-2003, 04:49 PM

Also to add to my question: to chill or no to chill, it get's pretty hot out here, is a chiller really needed some people say use fans and just top off for the evaporation they cause.

ylmaya · 03-31-2003, 04:59 PM

What size tank are you interested in? If you stay in the below 50 gallon range I think your $1500 should be able to buy you a decent sump, pump, protein skimmer, good lighting (compact flourescent - I don't recommend MH if you are limited in budget and have heat issues - but not having MH will limit the types of corals you can keep a bit) and live rock/sand to get you started. Then you have about 2 months (of cycling time) to save up for your first batch of 'corals etc.'......

The most imporatant advice I can give is DON"T SKIMP ON YOUR STARTUP EQUIMPENT....you'll only have to buy stuff twice and waste a lot of livestock along the way......(take it from someone who loves to rush and has learned from the experience...)

I live in South Florida and also have heat issues. I can't afford a chiller but do have to open my hood sometimes to help with heat from lights during the day. I am hoping this will be solved when I upgrade to a bigger tank next month. (right now I am downsized to just a 12G nano).

This is a great website for beginning your tank. You'll learn a ton if you just read the threads.......

Good Luck - and Welcome to our world!

tinnock79 · 03-31-2003, 06:16 PM

buy the biggest tank u can. the bigger the easier to mantain. i have a 55 gal and didnt come close to a grand. maybe like a 75 -90 gal perhaps even bigger if you do some diy. you came to the right place though....online. the lfs well get you to buy stuff you dont need. with enough live sand and rock you shouldn't need a protein skimmer....but thats my opion. and like it was said before dont skimp on stuff.good example lights. i suffer from that now. hope i was some help.........good luck....later

thaiman · 03-31-2003, 06:36 PM

As tinnock and the others said: DON'T SKIMP ON THE SET-UP! I love my 90 gallon with 4~6" DSB and pounds and pounds of LR. I use a wet/dry that I just converted to a refugium and like the refugium much better. I live in Portland, OR and have 4 150 watt halides/4 55watt pc actinics on it and I purchased a chiller. I like the tank to remain a constant 79.2 degrees

Without the chiller it got very hot with a canopy. It's a tru-vu acryllic tank with a single overflow. Glass tends to distort the color so I chose acryllic. This is a continued investment...I buy things as I go and do research; i.e. the chiller, u.v. sterilizer, protein skimmer, ocean clear canister filter, etc. Good luck and welcome to the salty world of fish, clams, corals and other invertabrates.

thefatman · 03-31-2003, 07:12 PM

i think you'll find a lot of varying answers as to what filtration method to use. eg. wet/dry vs ls/lr etc... but one thing you will here from most everyone here, that is successful with their tanks. is DO get a skimmer. that seems to be pretty much the consensus here no matter how you filtrate.

a decent middle line skimemr is no more than 100 bucks.

and of course, there are cheaper and more expensive to choose from.

i jsut bought my wet/dry, overflow box, skimmer, skimmer pump, return pump, and all hoses etc.. for 325. as for tank, if you go with glass, the tank is probably one of the lowest expenses there is. you can get a 75 gal for around 150 bucks.

also keep in mind that yes, bigger is easier. it's much easier to maintain a good water quality, and when you do the math, per gallon, larger ends up being cheaper. yes it costs more but per gallon is way lower.

just my opinions. hth
jay

marccracco · 03-31-2003, 07:59 PM

I have read that MH are great but heat the tank excessively, I am looking at a 65gal 48x18x18 with 8 40Watt fluorensent, any advice? Comments? Pros & Coms?

marccracco · 03-31-2003, 08:04 PM

I am thinking right now on using a simple prefilter using a sponge in the overflow followed by activated carbon w/ a bypass so that I can skip it most of the time and a protein skimmer, I'm not sure about a trickle filter yet. I'm going to rely mostly on my Live Rock.

Marc

btang · 03-31-2003, 08:39 PM

Most folks are not recommending trickle filter these days. It tends to drive up the Nitrates. Live Rock (make sure you have plenty) and a DSB seems to be the norm) There are other options, the Ecosystem uses Miracle Mud in a sump, there are also others. Plenty on the net to read about. Read,Read and Read.

Good Luck.

125G's · 03-31-2003, 09:25 PM

marccracco, one other thing. Don't buy the bagged live sand. Buy "dead" sand and get a cup of LS from a LFS or a reefer in your area. The bagged stuff is too expensive for what it is. I'm not sure if you can get southdown (brand/type from Home Depot) in your area or not, but if you can do so. Many here have used it and like it. If it's not available you can get the stuff labeled playsand. Those are both very inexpensive alternatives.

HTH

Phil

marccracco · 03-31-2003, 09:27 PM

Trust me I'm reading, I'm in between jobs so the last two weeks all I've been doing is research. Another question for all you reef experts, I've read all kind of different things on the amount of L/R for a tank, how much is needed? Also I'm thinking on no substrate, is that wise? I've read that you can have star polyps grow on the bottom and no substrates prevent a lot of waste from accumulating on the bottom.

Thanks for all your great advice and your abundant knowledge.

Marc

Geoff · 03-31-2003, 09:39 PM

no substrates are great in tanks that have very high current flows. i would recommend a DSB somewhere in the system. they are great producers of plankton and a great way to keep the nitrates down. i have a DSB in my 125g and i really like it. i run, as of now 1500 gph in the tank without any dust storms. it did take about two months before the sand matured enough to stay put.

the amount of LR depends on where the LR is from. for fiji and the other pacific LR you can get away with 1 lb per gallon. this LR is generally less dense and more branching in shape than caribean. if you go caribean then you will end up needing closer to 1.5 lb per gallon. caribean is generally more rock shaped and denser.

HTH,

G~

marccracco · 03-31-2003, 10:08 PM

After searching I have found Premium Fiji Cured Live Rock (55lbs) with overnight shipping UPS Air for $417.03, that includes shipping and all, am I getting ripped off is it a good price?
Thanks.

125G's · 03-31-2003, 11:04 PM

Ouch, that's too much. I'm not sure where this price came from, but I'm certain you can do better. Here's one way, get the uncured rock. For one thing, it's at least a $1.00/lbs cheaper. Two, you'll get a lot of neat hitchhikers on it. There is a risk of getting some unwanter creatures, but that's relatively low.

Try here: www.premiumaquatics.com. Their uncured premium fiji is $3.50/lbs + shipping.

Take a look at this one. I purchased my rock from Flying Fish Express who was just bought out by Dr Fosters/Smith. This link shows a good price. Plus, if you order $150 or more free shipping! You'll need to read the details to be sure LR is part of this.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...=24&pCatId=397

HTH

starting a reef tank

to chill or not to chill

lighting

reply to jay's post

filter cont.

L/R