Thinking of trying a reef not sure where to start?

[Keith]

Hi i bought but have not picked up yet a new tank and wanting to start a reef but i am totally new to the hobby.I have had plenty experience with salt fish tanks only any help would be great.My tank is a 65 gallon with an overflow built in and 110 watts of power compact lighting.I am going to get a wet dry filter and a skimmer what else would be basic equipment needed? more lighting,power heads,uv ect.? Thanks in advance.

Keith.

[Hurley675]

What are the Dimensions on the tank. when you answer I will tell you what kind of lighting.But I would recommend Metal Halide. But if you need more lighting you can turn your Wet-Dry Filter(Bio-Balls Removed) into a refiugium using your PC's that you have. I would recomend for a Water movement at leat 3-4 Maxi-Jets 1200. You do not need a UV sterilizer. I would recomend the Berlin Skimmer. That is what I have and it works great. If you choose to make the sump into a refiugum I would recommend at least 4" of Live sand and Macro Algea. If you have any more Q's jus ask.

[Keith]

Thanks for the info hurley sounds great.I dont have the tank home yet but when i find out the dimensions i will post them.Thanks again.

Keith.

[Hurley675]

Alright

If you have anymore Q's just ask.

[erasmu]

As mentioned earlier, you don't need a wet/dry filter. If you get one, the best use is as a sump. That would be a needlessly expensive sump, but that is up to you. Remember not to use bio-balls or any similar material in it. I also agree with the suggestion that you increase the lighting substantially, whether that is MH or additional PCs. Keep reading the boards and take your time setting it up. If in doubt, post questions before you commit. It can save a lot of time, money, and anguish. Good luck with it.

[Keith]

Thanks for info Ed R i will for sure be taking my time and do a lot of research.Thanks again.
Keith.

Ya know, I also go with the "dont need a wet/dry" setup. But I think that they actually can be an added benefit to new tanks and tanks with a high fishload in a reef setup. Its well known that wet/drys are super efficient at helping turn ammonia and nitrite into nitrate(to the point where people have complained of elevated nitrate levels the one downfall to wet/drys),but this may actually be a benefit, especially when a large deep sand bed is present in either the main display tank and/or a refugium also. ANd for a beginner, it may actually be beneficial to help keep his tank in order until he starts to really understand how the micro ecosystem operates. I personally think it may actually be a benefit. Just something to chew on.

[Brooke]

Hi Keith and welcome to TRT!

Check out the http://www.thereeftank.com/started page for tips on getting started. Then, check out the recommended books section: http://www.thereeftank.com/books . There are 3 books you might want to get, depending on your experience level. Bob Fenner's book The Conscientious Marine Aquarist is great, Aquarium Corals by Eric Borneman is wonderful, and Scott Michaels pocket Marine Fished book is excellent as well. These are must-have books. Read everything you can about reefs, reef chemistry, etc. You can use the search function on the board to find lots of threads of varying topics.

As mentioned above, if you have at least one pound of live rock per gallon and a good deep sand bed, a wet dry really isn't needed. But, you can use it as a sump/refugium if you don't have anything else . Good luck, and ask away, We're happy to help recommend equipment, etc.

Brooke

[Keith]

Thanks for all the great info and help everyone.Looking foward to it all thanks again.

Keith.