Advice for new reefer

G

gradoj

New member
I am just researching to setup my first reef tank.

At first I was going to setup a larger tank because this is always recommended for a new reefer. Due to budget constraints I have decided to setup a nano. Around 20 gallons. I have purchased an Outer Orbit 24" HQI light fixture and plan on mostly soft and LPS corals with a couple fish.

I am looking for some recommendations:

1. Should I get the tank drilled for an overflow for a sump before I setup the tank? I don't have intentions of setting up a sump right now but I'm sure I will in the future. Can I just put a blank bulkhead or some kind of plug in there until the time I want to setup a sump? I don't want to go with a syphon system cause it sounds scary to me. Water on the floor = end of reefing for me.

2. I really don't want to go with bare bottom but from what I have read may risk the crash of my tank after a year or so with a thick sand bed. I do NOT want to replace the sand once a year.

3. With lots of Live Rock and frequency water changes can I get by without a skimmer?

4. I am going to get a custom tank made. 24" x 18" x XX" tall because I already have a stand these dimensions and it will work well with the Outer Orbit lights. How tall should I make the tank? I calculate 14" tall to be 26 US gallons or 21 UK gallons. When people calculate the volume of a tank is it usually in US gallons or UK? Or should I just make the tank 18" high which is roughly 34 US gallons? The only downside I see with going larger is the cost involved in purchasing more Live Rock. Anything else I'm not considering?

TIA. All suggestions, comments and answers appreciated.
 
1) have it drilled and yes, a plug will work.
2)Lots (lots!) of disagreement, but my choice is bare bottom.
3) Yes, many people prefer it that way.
4) I'd go for 18" tall. The calculators here, I believe, are in gallons US.
 
As far as the questions.
1. I would drill the tank with a bulkhead and put a gate valve and a union. At least you are setup for a sump/reactor/fuge if you want to. Its going to be a pain to empty everything out if you change your mind. Shoot might as well drill for a closed loop while you at it.

2. The sand, to me it is preferential. In a small tank like that (I have 12 gallon and 32 gallon) there are no real big benefits to a DSB. I'm personally going to switch to BB soon.

3. In the 12 gallon Nano cube we have has no skimmer, yes I bought the Fission skimmer and took it out. If you are dilegent and have no dreams of SPS or clams, the softies/LPS will be fine. I however, would recommend a skimmer just since once you see the crud it pulls out you'll want one. Without an overflow to a sump/refuge or HOB skimmer, how do you plan on getting the nasty protein slick out?

4. I'll say this get the largest you can afford. You'll probably run out of space and want to upgrade down the road. Keep in mind the husbandary is definetly easier on a bigger tank.
 
Thanks for the comments.

I have done very little research on sumps. Anyone have any good links to info on closed loop systems/ sumps/ fuges, etc for beginners?
 
Re: Advice for new reefer

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1. Should I get the tank drilled for an overflow for a sump before I setup the tank? I don't have intentions of setting up a sump right now but I'm sure I will in the future. Can I just put a blank bulkhead or some kind of plug in there until the time I want to setup a sump? I don't want to go with a syphon system cause it sounds scary to me. Water on the floor = end of reefing for me.

You can always get your tank drilled beforehand and put in a closed bulkhead fixture on it (about $5 at the LFS). By "siphon" system, do you mean just your classic HOB overflow? Because these can be not too troublesome, and not many people go to the trouble of drilling for a tank the size of a 20.

2. I really don't want to go with bare bottom but from what I have read may risk the crash of my tank after a year or so with a thick sand bed. I do NOT want to replace the sand once a year.

The BB vs. DSB issue is more a matter of preference and some controversy, as you may have read. I and many people have run DSBs for years that were totally problem free. I have not had a crash (except d/t power outage) caused by the DSB the entire time, and have never considered replacing sand yearly (I have never heard of anyone doing this before?!) Keep in mind that crashes happen for many reasons, and the domino effect could be harder to control if you have factors like a DSB, lots of LR, or high bioload.

3. With lots of Live Rock and frequency water changes can I get by without a skimmer?

There are many people out there that don't have skimmers and get by ok. There are also people who keep very low bioload, and don't use skimmers intentionally, because they don't want extra things skimmed out that their corals can use. For the average tank with the average load, however, I think they are very useful; once you see the skimmate that is coming out of the tank, it is hard to go back to not having one. They also take out the raw organic waste products before they enter the cycle, which allows for greater efficiency. But I wouldn't say they are an absolute necessity if you aren't going to be keeping many fish, and you have the other elements, or if money is a big issue.

4. I am going to get a custom tank made. 24" x 18" x XX" tall because I already have a stand these dimensions and it will work well with the Outer Orbit lights. How tall should I make the tank? I calculate 14" tall to be 26 US gallons or 21 UK gallons. When people calculate the volume of a tank is it usually in US gallons or UK? Or should I just make the tank 18" high which is roughly 34 US gallons? The only downside I see with going larger is the cost involved in purchasing more Live Rock. Anything else I'm not considering?

Usually it is in US gallons on this site, since most of us are from the US. Go with the larger if you have the choice. Because, yes, there is always a recommendation for LR lb/gal, but this is just a guideline for the optimal. If you had no choice but 20lbs/20gal or 20lbs/40gal, the latter would still provide the best conditions due to greater water volume.
 
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