First Reef Tank Supplies

[Dr.Teeth]

Hello all,

I have been in the freshwater aquarium hobby for quite some and I recently decided that I would like to start up a reef tank. I am looking to purchase a Mr. Aqua 22 gallon long aquarium. Any recommendations on what equipment I should purchase to be able to keep a beginner reef set up? I currently have a 67 gallon planted aquarium which has been very easy to maintain.

Thanks!

 

[Bobbitworm13]

Do you want a sump or a hob filter? A 75w heater definitely. A protein skimmer (I use the aquatic life 115). A powerhead like a Jabao rw4. For lighting do you want t5 or led and what are you willing to pay? An RODI unit or buy distilled water to fill your tank and to do water changes. Sand and rock are your choice.

 

[Bobbitworm13]

And welcome to the money trap... I mean hobby

 

[Dr.Teeth]

Do you want a sump or a hob filter? A 75w heater definitely. A protein skimmer (I use the aquatic life 115). A powerhead like a Jabao rw4. For lighting do you want t5 or led and what are you willing to pay? An RODI unit or buy distilled water to fill your tank and to do water changes. Sand and rock are your choice.

I'll probably go with a hob filter but would a sump involve less overall maintenance? Also would it be worth adding a small refugium to the tank? I'd like to keep a pair of clowns and a helfrichi firefish in the tank so the bioload shouldn't be too high to handle.

 

[A sea K]

A sump won't really reduce maintenance so much as it will make it easier, it does add extra volume which will aid in system stability not to mention give you places to put your filtration and other system equipment out of the main display.
As for the refugium I see no real benefit given the fish you intend to keep.

 

[Sk8r]

a sump is far less maintenance than a filter, and less than a hob arrangement. You never change it, and it houses your skimmer, heater, and return pump. It's all in a nice glass box that won't drip on your floor or lose suction. The only thing you have to do with the sump is empty the skimmer cup: get a model that will allow easy service in the space you have.

 

[AK707]

Do you want a sump or a hob filter? A 75w heater definitely. A protein skimmer (I use the aquatic life 115). A powerhead like a Jabao rw4. For lighting do you want t5 or led and what are you willing to pay? An RODI unit or buy distilled water to fill your tank and to do water changes. Sand and rock are your choice.

I'm totally new to this hobby and just got my first tank yesterday but from what I've read so far you shouldn't need a skimmer if your doing frequent water changes, save you $$ or use the extra $ for a better light or maybe even an ATO

 

[ssick92]

I'm totally new to this hobby and just got my first tank yesterday but from what I've read so far you shouldn't need a skimmer if your doing frequent water changes, save you $$ or use the extra $ for a better light or maybe even an ATO

While it's not NECESSARY, it is highly recommended for any tank larger than like 20g. Reason being is high percentage water changes are easy in small tanks, but in larger tanks you won't want to be doing 25-50% water changes weekly, and a skimmer will drastically help reduce your nitrate buildup and prolong your need for water changes by removing organics from the water before they can breakdown into nitrate.

If you have an oversized skimmer so your tank doesn't build up nitrate very rapidly, then your water changes are more directed to replenishing trace elements rather than removing excess nitrate.

 

[Dr.Teeth]

a sump is far less maintenance than a filter, and less than a hob arrangement. You never change it, and it houses your skimmer, heater, and return pump. It's all in a nice glass box that won't drip on your floor or lose suction. The only thing you have to do with the sump is empty the skimmer cup: get a model that will allow easy service in the space you have.

Sump it is then. Any recommendations for a sump for this size tank?

 

[Bobbitworm13]

You could make your own from a standard 10 gallon from petco and a 10 gallon sump kit that you could buy online.

 

[bmitchell138]

Sump it is then. Any recommendations for a sump for this size tank?

Is the tank you are getting reef ready? If not you will need to either drill the tank and add an overflow or buy a HOB overflow for the sump.

Just something else to consider.

 

[Dr.Teeth]

Is the tank you are getting reef ready? If not you will need to either drill the tank and add an overflow or buy a HOB overflow for the sump.

Just something else to consider.

The one I mentioned here is not, however I am also looking at a 30 gallon tank innovative marine tank which has a built in overflow. It is used and the guy wants $450 for the tank, lights, heater and live rock. Would that be a better set up to start off with? I'm just worrying about how the tank will fare in shipping since it's coming from an individual seller.

 

[ssick92]

The one I mentioned here is not, however I am also looking at a 30 gallon tank innovative marine tank which has a built in overflow. It is used and the guy wants $450 for the tank, lights, heater and live rock. Would that be a better set up to start off with? I'm just worrying about how the tank will fare in shipping since it's coming from an individual seller.

Is it a built in overflow drilled into the tank? Or is it an All-In-One tank with filtration compartments in the back of the tank? Most of the Innovative Marine tanks are All-In-Ones which are sumpless, but have areas for filtration, skimmers, etc. in the back of the tank.

For a 1st tank, I would recommend a drilled tank w/ a built in overflow and a sump. I wouldn't really recommend an All-In-One tank for a beginner because it limits your filtration options and makes you do things 1 way (with minor variations), which may or may not be what you want.

 

[Dr.Teeth]

Is it a built in overflow drilled into the tank? Or is it an All-In-One tank with filtration compartments in the back of the tank? Most of the Innovative Marine tanks are All-In-Ones which are sumpless, but have areas for filtration, skimmers, etc. in the back of the tank.

For a 1st tank, I would recommend a drilled tank w/ a built in overflow and a sump. I wouldn't really recommend an All-In-One tank for a beginner because it limits your filtration options and makes you do things 1 way (with minor variations), which may or may not be what you want.

It's an All-in-one tank. What brand of aquarium would you recommend which has a built in overflow?

 

[Dr.Teeth]

By the way, I appreciate all the helpful comments. I know a bit about freshwater but saltwater is very new to me and my LFS does not seem too knowledgeable about it.

 

[Walla2GSP]

I would recommend getting a bigger tank to start with. A reef tank needs really steady chemistry compared to a freshwater tank, and a Nano tank you are going to be constantly playing the balance game and never getting to enjoy the tank. If I had the money to do it again I would buy a 60 or 90 gallon cube straight out the gate and set it up. Something like this http://glasscages.com/?sAction=OrderForm&sProdID=AQ_100Square. IF you think you have the experience to keep a 20L nano up and running without an issue than I would look at a small sump with an appropriately rated skimmer. Remember the skimmer will most likely have to fit inside the sump without impeding any of the sump's other functions so a may need a sump slightly bigger than your DT. You will need a return pump, 2-3 inch sandbed, rock for aquascaping and filtration, saltwater test kits, and lighting. With the 22 gallon you will have to be careful with lighting because you want bright lighting but it is so shallow you will have to be careful not to burn your corals. I'm guessing T-5s would be the best choice but I would really have to look at all the options and determine what would be the best option for that type of set up.

 

[ssick92]

It's an All-in-one tank. What brand of aquarium would you recommend which has a built in overflow?

If money isn't an issue then I would recommend one of the Red Sea tanks. The cost seems like a lot initially, but you are getting basically a complete system. Just buy salt, sand, rock, power head, lights, and skimmer and you're set with a great setup. Other than that, not many have an actual built in overflow when purchased -- most people drill the tanks themselves and either purchase or make an overflow box and silicone them in place.

There is nothing wrong with AIO tanks, I have a 10g Innovative Marine AIO but they don't allow the flexibility that beginners tend to need to keep them up and running.

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