help needed?

chema14

New member
hi im interested if there is some one willing to help me get my tank running? i just purchased a 75 gallon tank but just the tank i was wondering what you need to sart a salt water reef i know mostly every thing i would need. i just dont want to make a mistake in buying stuff that doesnt work that well. there are some very wise people about reefing. there isnt anybody i know personally that are into what im into so i would greatly appreciate the help! i need help on what types of lights,skimmers,filters,pumps,heater,chiller,sump, get my drift? oh and why do you need a overflow? waht does a uv serilizer do?? is it needed? will you help me make a perfect reef??! thank you. i will be on....
 
A posted reply to accurately address your open or shotgun topic would take 4 hours to write and has more twists and turns than a digestive tract.

My recommendation.
Get a how to book by someone like Sprung.
Get a complete understanding of the bacteria cycles.
Nutrient cycles and how to keep them under control/export methods.
Start off with a softy coral/polyp tank and just a few small fish.
Use T5's lights since in most cases it's cheap to get things going and they will grow almost anything.
Buy a skimmer that is rated for 2x's your total tank possible volume.
Overflow or a drilled tank is how water gets from your tank to your sump (if you choose to use one).
Main return pump(s) for a 75 you would want one with an actual output of 3 to 5x's your actual total system possible volume. So if your sump holds 10 gallons of water and the tank dry would be 75 then a total volume x's 3 to 5 WITH the pump headloss factored in you would want a final count of 255 to 425 GPH output at the return nozzle in the tank.
Alternating and or colliding internal current from switchable or carefully setup powerheads or pumps setup internally in the 75 gallon tank should pulse and or gently to moderately (depending upon the coral) move polyps and prevent dead water areas.
Heater...well the 77 to 82 degrees range is dependant on livestock and your preference.
Chiller just keeps it below 82. Sometimes a fan hitting the surface or pulling light heat away or out of a light hood is all that's needed.
UV sterilizer is a failsafe or a treatment prevent maintenance against parasites for fish and can also be used to kill algae spores/cells suspended in the tank as it circulates from tank to sump and back again. I do not think that they are used by a majority of reefkeepers.

Join a local club. Get a couple text to assist with system design, maintenance, and troubleshooting. Sprung and some others have some great stuff for newer folks. Do your homework and learn the basics and then you will be able to tailor your system towards your own direction for the best success.

5 pieces of advice that should be part of your reefkeeping montra.
1 Everything should be done or adjusted slowly. Quick fixes usually result in quick kills or bigger problems.
2 Test the water and often IE monitor levels to keep things dialed in. Getting lazy or not paying attention will lead to a meltdown or at minimum less than optimum results.
3 Water changes are the best additive in the world.
4 Understand that if you wing it your results will eventually reflect that so being calculated and exact is the best failsafe.
5 When you do feed, use additives, exact measurements and starting out at 1/2 or 3/4 of what they call for is the best starting point since you can always add but once it's in there it can be a bear to subtract if you have added too much.

Good Luck.

PS coralife products are junk stay away from their stuff at all costs.
PS2...last thing. Look for a couple threads in RC by the Tank of the Month winners and that is the perfect blueprint for success. And even better if any of them have any tank build threads. Almost like reeftank setup by numbers and someone else has already done all the crunching for you.
 
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get on the newbs forums and read all the FAQ....... ALL OF IT. I set up my first tank from a few older books I had with limited success. After joining RC and reading through all that info, Ive got a very nice tank now and there arent many problems i'm afraid to tackle.
 
Good advice to both above posts. Are you really in Indy? If so, try posting in one of the Indiana club forums. Check the list {url=http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=536]HERE[/url] to find one near you.

We are always willing to help with advice but I don't think you will find many reefers willing to drive 6 hours each way to help out with the gas prices the way they are :)

Good Luck!
-- Kevin
 
Go to reef central's main site & explore the 'New to the Hobby" area. The best of the best are offering the best advice/suggestions.
 
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