Getting back into Reef and looking for advise

[Pokerman11]

For a good number of years in the 1990’s I ran a 90 gal reef using a Jaubert method with a deep sand bed. Under about 4 inches of sand there was also a dead zone. I had some egg crate over screen to create the dead zone. Then filled about as much live rock in the tank with good circulation. Had two MH bulbs and two VHO for lighting. With a good sized ETS skimmer, run out of sump (no bio-balls).

My reef was great, and prospered. Had a heck of time figuring things out in the beginning, (especially with one nasty fish eating shrimp) but towards the end it was it’s own ecosystem and I did nothing to it but water changes and a little additives (and of course feed the fish). My stony and soft corals prospered and my tri-clams were deep purple and fat.

In 1999 I had to move and a friend took all my live things. I hated to see it go but was moving across the country and no way to keep things alive. After I moved I did not set up the reef again. I still have all my equipment, but running it as a fish only right now.

Now I am thinking of getting back in to a reef. I was wondering what the advancement in reef care are since 1999. Is my Jaubert method w/ skim still a good way to go or is there proven better methods?

I’ll start searching this forum, but wondering if my basic equipment is good enough for today.

Thanks

-Poker

 

[Peter Eichler]

The whole plenum approach isn't really used much anymore. However, DSBs are still used by a lot of people and everything from a DSB, bare bottom, and everything in between will work. You wouldn't need much besides some live rock, and some new bulbs assuming your skimmer still works well.

 

[scrmbld33]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9334616#post9334616 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Peter Eichler
The whole plenum approach isn't really used much anymore. However, DSBs are still used by a lot of people and everything from a DSB, bare bottom, and everything in between will work. You wouldn't need much besides some live rock, and some new bulbs assuming your skimmer still works well.

i agree with pete, also heres some good articles on here to browse through
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1031074
and
[welcome]

 

[reefworm]

I'm piggybacking on this thread since I'm in a similar situation. scrmbld33 - thanks for that golden link!!

 

[Pokerman11]

In reality I was running just a DSB w/o the plenum. My dead zone fell in after about 18mths of the rock sitting on it -then the tank did better.

I know I'll need new bulbs. I used to change regurary. Actualy got a pile of old VHO bulbs that I still use for my fish only. Once your not worried about the spectrum you would be surprised how many years a bulb lasts.

Sounds like aragonite based SDB and let the rock to the work.

 

[scrmbld33]

no prob, its a sticky at the top of the beginer forum