I have a fresh 46 gal, but I want to start a reef with fish. Way too confusing! From my research, here's what looks reasonable: hang on protein skimmer, coral/shell substrate, mh lighting with cooling fans, refractometer or glass hydrometer, live rock(Fiji the best) for a more critter diverse reef, NO UNDER GRAVEL FILTER, live coral, refugium, dual power heads. What size refugium for this tank? Will I also need a dry/bio filter? What size power heads? I prefer quality over price, but obviously please don't recommend a Mercedes when a Chrysler will do. Any help.... :strooper: :strooper:
Starting a reef tank
- Thread starter crabalot
- Start date
shag26272
New member
I would use sand instead of crushed coral, You will have the best setup if you got your tank drilled, put in an overflow and used a sump for your refugium, skimmer and heater. Also there are much better rocks than fiji. Marshall Island is supposed to be the nicest, tonga is pretty nice also. Really think about going with the sump, you will wish you had done it in 30 days from now, it will not cost you that much more.
I would do all of shags suggestions. I would also not use a wet dry. Bio balls just cause problems. as for a fuge the bigger the better. for a 48 a twenty gallon would rock. Also look into test kits for sure. salifert comes to mind. as for circulation/ power heads ,20 times tank volume is not a bad amount to shoot for. Might want to look into a closed loop system. real easy to do and pretty cheap.Also do lots of reading. Calcium/alk balance, nitrogen cycle.
Brandon's Reef
New member
[welcome]
Thanx everyone. I saw a Berlin BS-1 sump that looked ok. Any thoughts there? Nepuck, That looks like a cool beans idea. I have learned to use the knowledge of others to keep costly mistakes at bay and to keep THE BOSS from yelling too loud at what I'm spending! Any other suggetions will be greatly appreciated.
gibbswagon
New member
happy reefing!
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