| General Reef Discussion In this forum we discuss issues related to keeping marine and reef aquariums in a friendly flame-free environment. |
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04-17-2004, 08:00 PM
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#1
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Plankton
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: NJ
Posts: 23
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Starting a Reef Tank
I am interested in starting a reef tank, I have been keeping salt water fish for some time now are really want to create a reef tank.
After making the setup, letting it circulate and everything else, what is a good (hardy) beginner coral that I can start off with? Does anyone have any recommendations?
Thanks
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04-17-2004, 08:52 PM
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#2
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Big Fishy
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: portland or
Posts: 737
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mushrooms, zoanthids, xenia, green/white star polyps, yellow polyps, palythoas, and some leathers...all of those will do well under low to medium light and all are semi-industructible assuming the tank is kept under control, cycled, and maintained. |
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04-17-2004, 08:53 PM
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#3
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Eat more PIE
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Florida Panhandle
Posts: 18,597
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Welcome to TRT  
__________________
Double your drive space. Delete Windows
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04-17-2004, 09:01 PM
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#4
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Reefer in training
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Ridgewood, NJ
Posts: 1,463
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Lets here about the tank your planning.
Welcome!
__________________
First Reef and lovin it
105 gallon, 175W MH w VHO Actinics
Refugium by Ecosystem
Live rock is like a box of chocolates, you never know what ya goin get
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04-18-2004, 12:22 AM
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#5
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Plankton
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: NJ
Posts: 23
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Definately something around 50-60gal. Probably moderate lighting, sump system with skimmer and the works. I still need t othink the details out but I know basically what I need/want.
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04-18-2004, 06:29 AM
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#6
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ROOTS...ROCKS...REGGAE
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: south suburbs of Chicago,Il USA
Posts: 1,214
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I agree with what sanblas recommended but your lighting is a big question mark. You will need at the very least VHO's and not the regular strip lights that usually come with a basic tank.
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04-18-2004, 07:06 AM
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#7
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See-horse
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Azle, Tx
Posts: 1,544
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Hi, Moray! Welcome to TRT! Have you considered what type of corals you want to keep? That will determine what lighting you will need. I run 440w VHO on my 55 with two daylight lamps and two actinic lamps. This is an excellant setup for just about anything except clams and sps coral. You can grow sps under these lights but they will tend to turn brown and it is only borderline for clams. I keep soft corals and lps corals and they do great. The VHO actinics really make the colors glow on these corals. Good luck! |
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04-18-2004, 08:45 AM
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#8
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Metairie, La.
Posts: 122
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have you bought the tank yet, if not I would look into the dimensions of the tank. IMO, if I was plaining on getting a tank for a reef setup. I would look in to a tank with more depth. Oceanic and all glass makes a 58gal its 36.5X18.5X21 which to me is excellent for a small reef. The 75gal is a nice tank for a reef also, its 48.5X18.5X21. These tanks give you more surface area and allows you to have some beach without having to stack your rock straight up.
__________________
what you achieve or fail to achieve is directly related to what you do or fail to do.
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04-18-2004, 08:20 PM
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#9
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Plankton
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: NJ
Posts: 23
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Thank-you all for your input so far, I have not bought anything, yet. I really wanted to lean about what the coral basically needs before I went out and spent a lot of $ on all diffent things only to find out, that some things would not grow under someting else.
I am intreted in growing anything from soft to hard corals. I don't know what lighting I should use yet but I really want lighting that will give me the greatest range for growing different types of corals successfuly.
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04-18-2004, 08:38 PM
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#10
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Big Fishy
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: portland or
Posts: 737
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I second the idea of getting a tank with more depth...those designs are kind of new from what Ive heard, but Ive seen a few great reef tanks setup that have more depth and it does make a difference, basically gives you 2 other angles to get unique views of the tank(sides) other than just the front, and the front view is more interesting since everything isnt crammed towards the front...I just saw a nice 70g today that had a nice depth to it, not sure of dimensions..also you can have plenty of sand space for corals that need sand, plates and brains, or lots of room for clams.
as to lighting, doing 2 lower watt MH (175 or 250) with plenty of VHO or t5 would give you lots of flexibility, depending on what size tank and dimensions, with SPS towards the top and softies towards the bottom or sides
another idea is to just wait for someone in your area to sell a complete setup...save lots of $$ that way, but not as much control over your setup
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04-18-2004, 09:39 PM
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#11
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Little Fishy
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Coatesville, PA
Posts: 87
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Where in NJ are you? I am on the other side of Philly- I may be able to recommend a good lfs.
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04-19-2004, 01:52 PM
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#12
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Plankton
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: NJ
Posts: 23
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Bergen County, about 30min. (on a good day) out of the city.
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04-19-2004, 07:03 PM
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#13
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Reefer in training
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Ridgewood, NJ
Posts: 1,463
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I'm in North Bergen also, what lfs do you go to now?
__________________
First Reef and lovin it
105 gallon, 175W MH w VHO Actinics
Refugium by Ecosystem
Live rock is like a box of chocolates, you never know what ya goin get
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04-19-2004, 08:42 PM
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#14
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Plankton
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: NJ
Posts: 23
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Primarily...
Coral Reef Encounter (Hackensack)
Bitel's Aquarium (Pearl River, NY) (right over the border, he ALWAYS has great stuff)
Route 4 (not so often)
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04-21-2004, 12:43 PM
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#15
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I'd Rather Be Diving ....
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 187
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New Reefer
Hi and Welcome to TRT !
Sound like you know alot already, being in SW for a while.
What do you have now? Tank size? Inhabitants? LR?
Take is slow.
People here are VERY helpful, and do remember ... there are NO dumb questions.
(I think I've asked them all. LOL)
I would second Sanblas' comment. Think about a tank with more depth than height. More surface area, easier to aquascape, and easier to clean if you have to reach down inside.
Good Luck
PJ |
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