Im as new to reefing as i was 6months ago when i made my reefcentral account.A few months back I read up on alot of stuff on newbie reefing. Time flew by since then and i would like to regain some knowledge and learn some tips since i have my tank in hand now. I just bought an undrilled 180g tank a couple days ago to start reefing. Im not sure exactly what my selection of saltwater fish is going to be yet i just know i want to include some tangs(hence the 180g). Im looking to start a FOWLR to begin with and progress onto a full reef with beginner corals. I know this is an expensive hobby but since im new to this hobby i would like to favor items that have a great value and good reviews. Im a big believer in the "you get what you pay for" quote. That being said i believe there is a difference with cheap/budget items and lower cost/good value items. I would mainly like to hear input about specific brands, models, or retailers to help me decide in which items to buy. More so from people running similar setups.
I have layed out my -questions (if i had any) by topic.
Tank:
180g 6x2x2 Glass.
-need i say more?
Stand:
Homebuilt but is thoroughly supported and in great condition.
-No questions here.
Lighting:
2 sets of 6xT5 approximatley 34" . Theyre in great condition as well. I will most likely be using the preset color spectrum the PO had on them until i get more knowledge.
-I believe this to be sufficient for soft corals, am i wrong? Anywho this isnt to much of an issue since thats a long time from today.
Location:
The only place large enough where i can place my tank is the living room. The blinds are closed 99% of the time so light wont be to much of an issue. I do have tile flooring so ill make sure everything is as level as i can make it before adding water. There is an hvac vent about 4 feet up and 5 feet across from where my tank will sit. Ill make sure the vents arent directly blowing in the direction of my tank to prevent temperature fluctuations. I have 2 outlets behind it in which i will run my surge protectors.(ill make sure theyre switched to gfci's before my setup will run)
- Is there any additional information under this topic that im not aware of?
Water:
To begin with i have no RODI system, I would like to purchase one.
I was looking at people having success stories with the ebay rodi kits. I hear others say theyre crap just go with an expensive one.
I figure spending anywhere between 100 and 150 dollars for a value setup is going to yield me good quality water. Alot of manufacturers have their value kits priced around those figures.
-Is there a preferred brand on value rodi systems?
Water(Salt):
Have no idea what im going to get. Im sure most local fish stores carry the major brands.
-Whatever brand i choose im going to keep using til i get out of the hobby. Anything i should stay away from?
Testing:
Something i overlooked when writing this thread. The only thing i have as of now is just a basic floating arm salinity tester. I know im going to need the ammonia, nitrite, nitrate test kit for cycling my tank.
-What other test kits will i be using for a beginner setup?
Filtration(biological):
I will be using live rock(eventually)to fill in my tank Im looking at buying the dry rock that BulkReefSupply sells. I like how its really porous and low priced. For the substrate i will be using aragonite.
-Live or Dead rock? oh boy... I do want to eliminate anything that has the potential to ruin my tank (ex: pests). If i buy all dry rock how long will it take to become live? Or should i go with 100%live rock? Is the risk for pests something that can be eliminated or is it just part of reefing?
Filtration(mechanical):
Seeing as my tank is not drilled, I am unsure as to go with mechanical filtration or running a refugium/sump. I hear people talk about mechanical hob filters being equally as good as a sump. I really dont want to risk drilling at this point so id have to run an external overflow setup or just go with HOB filters. Im aware that the sump will provide more water volume and extra space for equipment
-Maybe you can help me decide?
Cycling:
Will most likely make a new thread on this.
-skip i guess
Equipment:
Most of this stuff i will likely buy used unless i can get them cheap new. As mentioned above i do have a hob reef octopus skimmer(lx-1000s-hob). I will still be needing powerheads,heaters,thermometers and maybe mechanical filters. (depending on what i decide for filtration)
-what else am i missing?
Livestock:
Preferably beginner reef friendly fish and soft corals. What else? i dont know. This will most likely keep changing throughout the years of reefing(if im succesful).
-This is a topic for another thread for another day.
Stuff i missed:
-Is there anything important i missed that anyone would like to mention? (Mainly things that i cant drive down to a lfs and pickup for under $50)
-Any tips in setting up my stuff?
-more info and tips more tips tips! Tips! TIPS!
I have layed out my -questions (if i had any) by topic.
Tank:
180g 6x2x2 Glass.
-need i say more?
Stand:
Homebuilt but is thoroughly supported and in great condition.
-No questions here.
Lighting:
2 sets of 6xT5 approximatley 34" . Theyre in great condition as well. I will most likely be using the preset color spectrum the PO had on them until i get more knowledge.
-I believe this to be sufficient for soft corals, am i wrong? Anywho this isnt to much of an issue since thats a long time from today.
Location:
The only place large enough where i can place my tank is the living room. The blinds are closed 99% of the time so light wont be to much of an issue. I do have tile flooring so ill make sure everything is as level as i can make it before adding water. There is an hvac vent about 4 feet up and 5 feet across from where my tank will sit. Ill make sure the vents arent directly blowing in the direction of my tank to prevent temperature fluctuations. I have 2 outlets behind it in which i will run my surge protectors.(ill make sure theyre switched to gfci's before my setup will run)
- Is there any additional information under this topic that im not aware of?
Water:
To begin with i have no RODI system, I would like to purchase one.
I was looking at people having success stories with the ebay rodi kits. I hear others say theyre crap just go with an expensive one.
I figure spending anywhere between 100 and 150 dollars for a value setup is going to yield me good quality water. Alot of manufacturers have their value kits priced around those figures.
-Is there a preferred brand on value rodi systems?
Water(Salt):
Have no idea what im going to get. Im sure most local fish stores carry the major brands.
-Whatever brand i choose im going to keep using til i get out of the hobby. Anything i should stay away from?
Testing:
Something i overlooked when writing this thread. The only thing i have as of now is just a basic floating arm salinity tester. I know im going to need the ammonia, nitrite, nitrate test kit for cycling my tank.
-What other test kits will i be using for a beginner setup?
Filtration(biological):
I will be using live rock(eventually)to fill in my tank Im looking at buying the dry rock that BulkReefSupply sells. I like how its really porous and low priced. For the substrate i will be using aragonite.
-Live or Dead rock? oh boy... I do want to eliminate anything that has the potential to ruin my tank (ex: pests). If i buy all dry rock how long will it take to become live? Or should i go with 100%live rock? Is the risk for pests something that can be eliminated or is it just part of reefing?
Filtration(mechanical):
Seeing as my tank is not drilled, I am unsure as to go with mechanical filtration or running a refugium/sump. I hear people talk about mechanical hob filters being equally as good as a sump. I really dont want to risk drilling at this point so id have to run an external overflow setup or just go with HOB filters. Im aware that the sump will provide more water volume and extra space for equipment
-Maybe you can help me decide?
Cycling:
Will most likely make a new thread on this.
-skip i guess
Equipment:
Most of this stuff i will likely buy used unless i can get them cheap new. As mentioned above i do have a hob reef octopus skimmer(lx-1000s-hob). I will still be needing powerheads,heaters,thermometers and maybe mechanical filters. (depending on what i decide for filtration)
-what else am i missing?
Livestock:
Preferably beginner reef friendly fish and soft corals. What else? i dont know. This will most likely keep changing throughout the years of reefing(if im succesful).
-This is a topic for another thread for another day.
Stuff i missed:
-Is there anything important i missed that anyone would like to mention? (Mainly things that i cant drive down to a lfs and pickup for under $50)
-Any tips in setting up my stuff?
-more info and tips more tips tips! Tips! TIPS!
ecided i cant go wrong with instant ocean.
) would be to get the Lifereef for adjustability and that if I change something I don't have permanent holes in the tank.
