want to start a reef tank

[brent hall]

Hi a need some help I have had fish only tanks for awhile but I want to start a reef tank iam just done with fish only tanks I ve seen people using rubbermaid containers as sumps would like to do that and how could I make a refuge out of one the tank is a 120 its currently running with not reef safe fish and has a bioball sump but iam going to get rid of the fish and sump and practilly every thing init but some live rock.I would also like to know what kind of lighting would I need with out getting into mh lighting but I want to be able to have enough light to have any corals out there and what are good pumps to use for tanks it is a 120 allglass 4/2/2 with 2 built in over flow boxes and where can I buy really good live rock from onlive that is close to florida.I have a real good fish store but the rock just not don't it for me.In the sump how would I put one of the sock looking things in there. If some one could give some addvise on these things because the last thing I want to do is do it wrong and risk this annimals diedng

 

[brent hall]

I have a 210 too that a want to do as a reef too but iam waiting to see how the 120 goes before I do the 210 because the 210 is going to be a built in the wall reef tank and will take me a long time to do that progett.

 

[smcdonn]

I personally like halides just because you get the shimmer effect. If you go halides, you could probably do dual 250W with some PC or VHO actinics. Its just a start but im sure you will get plenty of suggestions

 

[magdelan]

brent hall-

First, limit the ands and becauses in your posts. Second, re-reading your post before you submit it will help you to understand what other people will have to go through in order to comprehend what you are writing about. Third, while re-reading, think about spell checking. Last, if you are careless enough to post the largest run-on sentence that I have ever seen containing multiple spelling errors, I would recomend double-thinking a reef aquarium. There is a lot more to taking care of one than writing a small post. Honestly though...that was hard for me to read

 

[auto_loader]

Brent
Rubbermaid containers work great for sumps. I think thats a good plan for a sump. Get the largest one possible for the space you have.
I would think if you want to keep any SPS in the size and depth of a 120 gallon you should consider metal halide. I would also recommend getting involved with a local reef club and looking at some other peoples setups and talking to them. You can learn a whole lot by talking to others about their tanks which can save a lot of time and money in the long run.
I personally dont like filter socks except when I blow out the rocks to remove detrius because they need to be changed out and maintained a lot so they dont build up crap in them.

good luck.

 

[N8ster]

<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>

Welcome to Reef Central.

The first thing you should do is read everything in the "new users look here first" section:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1031074

As far a live rock in Florida, you should check out TBS:
http://www.tbsaltwater.com/thepackage/ongoing.html

There are lots of places you can get live rock, and unless you are planning on picking it up, it shouldn't really matter where you order it from. I got mine from Premium Aquatics, and have been very happy.

 

[brent hall]

Hey thanks guys for the info and iam sorry that I didn't check my spelling. The store I go to has live rock from tampa bay and I don't like it but hey can you tell me any info on how to make a sump from a rubbermaid and maybe some pics.

 

[auto_loader]

this thread would be a good one for rubbermaid sumps
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1041395

 

[brent hall]

THANKS AGAIN I LIKE THOSE PICS THAT'S WHAT I GO BYE WHEN I DO MINE, MAN I DIDN'T REALIZE HOW MUCH STUFF U NEED TO DO A REEF TANK RAISING SHARKS AND FISH ONLY TANKS WERE HARD AT FIRST BUT NOTHING LIKE THIS IT LOOKS LIKE.