New to all this. Help!

[Vic74]

Hi,

We have just recently decided to set our 4' x 2' x 2' (I think!) tank up as a reef tank and are trying to get as much info as we possibly can. We have been to a few places who keep telling us different info. For eg. we were told by a "reliable" place that the bare minimum we needed was a canister filter, a protein skimmer and a twin reflector light and of course the sand, water and live rock. Today we were told by someone else that if you can set up a biological filter that's the way to go. We are probably going to do that but how does it work with a canister filter etc. set up wise? It's all so confusing. Also, we were told today that the twin reflector fluros are good but a metal halide light is needed for some corals. We may look at getting one down the track but they are very pricey. Anyway, any help on lessening the confusion would be great. Also, what are the best fish to get for first timers?? We are looking at this as a long term project maybe over 4-6 months or so but is that necessary if we have the biological filter?? Sorry to ask so many questions but you all seem to know what you are doing and as I said it's all new to us and very confusing. Thanks for your help!

Vickie.

 

[stelow]

Vickie with the live rock the biological filter is not needed.
[welcome]

 

[Fred_J]

The first thing you will learn is that for a very few exceptions do not listen to anything the LFS tells you. You'r asking for a lot in one post. To get started I would read the "stickies" (threads at the top of a forum with an asterisk by them)for this forum and the "all things salty forum. Instead of someone telling you what you need it is a whole lot better for them to explain why you need it.

The gravel and live rocks will be your biological filter, do not let them talk you into using a filter with a biological substitute (bioballs) you will need a skimmer, heater, lights, plenty of flow in the tank. most people use a sump to hide the equipment and as a refugium.
I have left out a lot on here but you will need to research each of these items. The most controversial thing is weather to have a deep sand bed or not. You need to decide. Also do not add any fish until your tank has completely cycled.

I'll let someone else take over now.
Fred

 

[TekCat]

Wow! where to start.... WELCOME!!!

In a nutshell, LFS wants your money and rarely offers good advice. Treat their advice as a info for you to verify here or with other reefers in your area. There is no single "right" way of doing things, every tank is different.

Having said that, as Fred_J said read stickies. There are tons of good information! Now, as far as bio-filtration I can tell you this: there is one major process in saltwater (or freshwater for that matter) called nitrogen cycle. Study it, and learn it well. All bio-filters are primarily target nitrogen cycle. That is converting highly toxic ammonia (from fish waste) to less toxic nitrite and then to nitrate. Wet-Dry, bio-balls, bio-wheels are artificial methods of diong just that. But it you have at least 1 lbs per gallon live rock and good water circulation, then this process will be performed by the bacteria living inside LR. So, there is no need to invest money in bio-filters when LR does exactly the same thing, besides bio-media after a while becomes nitrate factories (not a good thing)
One other important thing in filtration is to have good protein-skimmer. This is the device that removes proteins and other junk from water BEFORE it starts decompose to ammonia and other unpleasant things.
Canister filters are nice, but not required at all.

As far as lighting goes, I let someone else continue

--edit--
IMO, do not use crushed coral as substrate choice. It will trap detrius and will give you heaches... Fine sand is way better

 

[dlish89]

I just have 2 things to say 1 - Reefs are not cheap if you don't have alot of $ to spend then just do fish. If you don't have good equip. ( lights, pumps, skimmer), than all you have is a dying reef and thats just a waste. 2 - REEFS ARE NOT CHEAP !! Not to try and discourage you, but if you don't have the proper equip its not going to work. The bare minimum will work with fish, but not reefs.

 

[MBuck]

You can start with a FOWLR, (Fish only with Live rock). You can still get alot of corralline growth, and some pretty colors using standard flourescent strip light for your tank. If you would like to take your time om this and devloe it into a "reef" tank with corals, etc, just buy reef safe fish, and when you are ready to upgrade your lights, start adding corals.

You can buy what is called "base" rock, or dead live rock that has dried out alot of times it is on Ebay reasonable. Or look here on the selling forum for someone tearing down a tank, and get there LR. if you use base rock, put it on the bottom, and cover it with some good LR on top, it will then all become alive. Don't know about Lavav rock, wouldn't use it personally....


It is very confusing, I know, I have been trying to get a tank set-up for over a year. I have a 20g L on my kitchen counter, but I want the whole "enchilada", and am still learning everyday. I spend hours reading RC, all of the posts to see if there's something else I can learn, BEFORE it happens to me!!

I would reccommend some small simple fish to start:

Clowns
Cardinals
Gobies
Chromis
Blennies
Anthias
There are many more that would be suitable for a tank your size.... Please read about the fish you are getting before buying, that includes Invertabrates too.... I have learned the hard way!!

Make a list of potential fish you would like to keep, and then post it here for feedback....


Good Luck, and Happy reefing!



Good Luck! hope this Helps!

 

[WaterKeeper]

Hi Vickie,


You might find this a help The New Tank Thread.

 

[jimbo045]

You should go with gravel,a bunch of live rock, Protein Skinner, and some VHOs and it should run fine. Make your temp. 75-79 degrees.

 

[Fred_J]

One more caveat, I was listening to my LFS when I started. I paid $125 for a skimmer that was junk, which I replaced after finding RC. There are many more examples but RC has saved me an awful lot of money.

Fred

 

[FlyingFish65]

A great Fish Only book that will get you started, The New Marine Aquarium, by Mike Paletta.

 

[cabot]

I would add that since you are starting from scratch, you should wait about 6 mo. anyway before you start adding corals. There are corals you can keep without mh lighting. I started 3 yrs ago with a canister filter and am moving to a sump with refugium. Just start with a decent protein skimmer and do the sump, make sure you have plenty of flow and use ro/di water. That's all I got! Just do it.......

 

[mikenpam]

I second FlyingFish65's book recommendation. I used it myself and it is very basic, gives you great set-up ideas and stocking recommendations. Not all fish stores are bad but they are in business to make a profit. Take some time to research what you want and get a second opinion on what your fishstore tells you. If you find that they are giving good advice then you will have a great local resource. My LFS actually recommended shopping on-line for some equipment as he could not beat the prices. He had great livestock also.