Getting started on reef tank..

saltyfish · 02-28-2005, 05:18 PM

Hey
I have had a 20 gallon saltwater fish for about a year now. Even know it isnt the biggest tank out there

. But i wanted to try it out. Recently I have wanted to start a reef tank. I was wondering if you guys can help me with what i will need to get started..
Thanks
Here is a list of what i have.

Penguin bio-wheel 710
TopFin heater (model unknown view pics sorry for the messy salt mess on it..)
20 gallon fish tank
20 gallon hood with Regular fluorescent light bulb

Here is a list of the fish i havwe at the time.

1 blue damsel
1 multi-color damsel(sorry didnt get a picture)
1 clown fish
1 coral blended shrimp

Here is a list of the rock/decor

2 white coral
1 oyster coral
1 live rock

Thanks and help is much appreciated.

Loverotties · 02-28-2005, 05:52 PM

Take the bio wheel out of the filter after you get the live rock and get more lighting like cp will do(two bulbs)

Loverotties · 02-28-2005, 05:54 PM

Sorry I forgot

a very important thing a good skimmer!

tims · 02-28-2005, 06:10 PM

Welcome to TRT!
well you have made one of the best decisions so far.. you asked...

i think ( not sure) that loverotties meant PC lighting not cp lighting...
what type of live corals were you thinking of?..depending on the type would mean certain types of lighting..
OH please replace your heater...that looks like an accident waiting to happen...
if you want to add more live rock to your tank then i would talk to the local fish store (LFS) about taking for you until you can stabilize the tank again. by adding more LR ( live rock) you can have a cycling of the tank. you really do not want any fish at all in there.might want to pick up a power head while your at it too..

saltyfish · 02-28-2005, 06:31 PM

So no fish at all? can i get some snails/scooters?

tims · 02-28-2005, 06:35 PM

i think you misunderstood me..
if you are goingot put more live rock in the tank. it can and usally does cause the tank parameters to spike, this will kill your fish or harm them big time. you would most likly kill the shrimp. once the tank has calmed down and everything is back to normal you woudl be able to add a few fish back. but keep in mind a 20 gallon with a reef will not support alot of fish at all..
HTH

saltyfish · 02-28-2005, 06:37 PM

Im also confused on

Quote:

Originally Posted by tims

i think ( not sure) that loverotties meant PC lighting not cp lighting...

saltyfish · 02-28-2005, 06:46 PM

also it is going to be more of live rock with inverts then coral..

tims · 02-28-2005, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saltyfish

Im also confused on

PC= power compacs..
here is a good link i-onvariuos types of reef tank lighting..
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-08/dw/index.htm

saltyfish · 02-28-2005, 08:59 PM

These look pretty pricie is there any cheaper way? Or is this the best?

tims · 02-28-2005, 09:18 PM

that all depends on whatyou want in your tank.
the lights you got with the tank are NO ( noraml output). if you want to run a tank with only live rock and a few fish and mainly inverts. ( shrimp and such) then what you have is fine. if you want to add corals then you will have to invest in a better lighting system. If you click on the sponors page at the top of hte screen you will find several lighing systems either DYI or full hood includeing pc , VHO , MH. a PC lighting system for your tank is not really that much money.
the other thing you should get is a few good books on reef tanks and the system for keeping them.
over all reef tanks are a wallet hurting hobby. but really cool to watch. as time goes by things will start to come out of your LR. some could take months before they come out. befroe you know it you will want a bigger tank..
as you look around the TRT website you will see tons of differant tanks and setups . everyone has a way to do it that works,but what works for me may or may not work for you.
you will have a blast with your tank! also invest in a good set of test kits.
live in a reef tank that is a 20Gallon is about 20 LBS. you are looking for a pound per gallon. there is a big differance between cured live rock and uncured. cured , you woudl get it from your LFS after it has beenin his system for a long while, uncured meansit can right out of the sea and in a box to your tank. there will be die off on that type. if you cure it in your tank you cpould lose everything in your tank. unless you place it in a tank by it self and change the saltwater ..

HTH

Ace's Reef · 03-01-2005, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saltyfish

These look pretty pricie is there any cheaper way? Or is this the best?

Hate to tell you but everything is pricey in a reef tank.

The lighting in my tank was over a grand!!

just remember the quality is remembered long after the pirce is forgoten.

In other words buy the best you can afford now so you dont have to buy it again later. (ie Skimmer) The most important part IMO.

But the most important thing you can do right now is research. And it looks like you made the first step at the right place.

ACE

saltyfish · 03-04-2005, 08:06 PM

Hey Guy'z Check it out today I "Remodeled" my tank!

(Check out the new pic's!)

btang · 03-04-2005, 08:15 PM

Cool tank, reminds me of my old 90 gallon that I had about a million years ago.
Small tanks are a bit more maintenance. Have you ever treated the tank with Copper? Copper is very bad in Reef systems. You should check out some of the nano threads. Your pretty close to a nano (not really sure what the cutoff size is). As Tim stated, read a lot of books and check out the different threads. Reef keeping is very expensive, but well worth it.

Good luck!

saltyfish · 03-04-2005, 08:21 PM

Tanks
HEHE