Bluetangclan
New member
I would post this on the newb area but I'm not really a newb, or in the reef section but I am trying for something specific. I have a few months before I start as I am sitting out in the desert for a few months but no reason not to research and plan out what I need to pick up.
That out of the way, I have a 125 with a 40 gal breeder being used as a sump for my current tank of African cichlids. They are going to be turned in for some meager store credit and I will restart it as a reef tank. I will pick up a barrel and put in an auto-topoff system into the sump. Other than the return pump and a heater I am starting back again relatively fresh. I have some old Korellias that might or might not work lol.
After about ten years out of the hobby, the age old DSB or no DSB is apparently still a major debate. I am thinking at least a 3" sand bed as I would like to have a leopard wrasse in the future once the tank has been going awhile.
Trying not to break the bank on this. I tend to go for as low tech as possible on my tanks. Whats a good lighting setup for a 4" tank for LPS? I heard Reefbreeder LEDs were pretty decent and if that was the most expensive thing I bought, I would be happy. But is there anything cheaper and more effective available?
I have had reef tanks before but mostly had easy SPS like monties and bird nests and mostly softies. What kind of skimmer is good for the sump? I might have an old euroreef clone still in the garage but wont know til I get home to check. I might as well budget for it in case I don't have one handy. What's a good skimmer for the money and how hard core should I skim?
I was thinking of a wavemaker? There anything efficient that will do a basic job and not cost an arm and a leg? Powerheads, I read an article recently that said they were far more power, flow, and heat efficient than the old days of having four or five Korellias in a 75. Not really sure how much flow LPSs need compared to high flow SPSs.
Really looking forward to this project as it is my retirement from the military present to me. Wife put her foot down on a saltwater tank while I was in the military as she didn't want to take care of it while I was away.
For fish I was thinking a Convict Tang, the eventual leopard wrasse a bi-color blenny and other smaller active fish, nothing crazy. I want activity and color instead of one or two big fish. I am more interested in inverts anyway.
I have noted in my absence, no one talks about Sally Lightfoot crabs anymore. Used to be a staple crab for peoples tanks.
That out of the way, I have a 125 with a 40 gal breeder being used as a sump for my current tank of African cichlids. They are going to be turned in for some meager store credit and I will restart it as a reef tank. I will pick up a barrel and put in an auto-topoff system into the sump. Other than the return pump and a heater I am starting back again relatively fresh. I have some old Korellias that might or might not work lol.
After about ten years out of the hobby, the age old DSB or no DSB is apparently still a major debate. I am thinking at least a 3" sand bed as I would like to have a leopard wrasse in the future once the tank has been going awhile.
Trying not to break the bank on this. I tend to go for as low tech as possible on my tanks. Whats a good lighting setup for a 4" tank for LPS? I heard Reefbreeder LEDs were pretty decent and if that was the most expensive thing I bought, I would be happy. But is there anything cheaper and more effective available?
I have had reef tanks before but mostly had easy SPS like monties and bird nests and mostly softies. What kind of skimmer is good for the sump? I might have an old euroreef clone still in the garage but wont know til I get home to check. I might as well budget for it in case I don't have one handy. What's a good skimmer for the money and how hard core should I skim?
I was thinking of a wavemaker? There anything efficient that will do a basic job and not cost an arm and a leg? Powerheads, I read an article recently that said they were far more power, flow, and heat efficient than the old days of having four or five Korellias in a 75. Not really sure how much flow LPSs need compared to high flow SPSs.
Really looking forward to this project as it is my retirement from the military present to me. Wife put her foot down on a saltwater tank while I was in the military as she didn't want to take care of it while I was away.
For fish I was thinking a Convict Tang, the eventual leopard wrasse a bi-color blenny and other smaller active fish, nothing crazy. I want activity and color instead of one or two big fish. I am more interested in inverts anyway.
I have noted in my absence, no one talks about Sally Lightfoot crabs anymore. Used to be a staple crab for peoples tanks.