Setting up my FIRST reef tank - do's/don't's

marine_len59 · 08/13/2008, 03:05 PM

I am about to set up my new reef tank and would like the process to go as smoothly (obviously) as possible. I have had salt water tanks for several years, but never a reef tank. It is 148 gallons with a 5' length and 24" of height and width. Sump underneath wirh skimmer and live rock for biological filtering in the tank. I plan on keeping SPS type coral and associated livestock. So, my question, is there a 'bible' or a specific book that outlines the step-by-step procedure for setting it up correctly? Everything from proper water preparation and filtering; to lighting duration times and reef lingo explained. Or are there links here that are designed for newbies to get their feet wet before diving in. Appreciate any help....thanks!

bsagecko · 08/13/2008, 03:52 PM

I like reef volumes 1&2 great books for reef keeping

But more importantly i think having a forum like this or a local reef club will be the best bet

Post in the reef discussion forum and what type of lighting u plan on using

I suggest you having 3x 250W Metal Halide (MH) with 2x Very High Output (VHO) superactinic

how much rock you have?

what kind of skimmer is it?

can you take a picture of how you think you will set it up

I suggest tunze or Korlia powerheads for flow

Eheim........little giant.......mag........dart........are all good pumps

Mag pumps run a lil hot but they last forever (10+ years)

Eheim not as hot as mags

little giant are small external pumps (less hear added to the system)

dart are powerful pumps that are built to last (might be a lil overkill on your system)

check out melevsreef.com

also i would start out with easier coral such as zoas, xenia, gsp, leathers/ kenya tree for the first few months and then move into sps slowly ( like make sure you can keep these alive for like 3-4 months and then go into sps)

for fish stay away from dwarf angels (usually considered reef safe) as they have a habit of nipping sps.............

for your first fish i suggest a pair of clowns like

B&W Ocellaris
True perc
False perc
picasso clowns
or golden stripe maroon clowns ( territorial have a lil attitude but you have enough space in the tank for it)

for plumping make sure to use 1"-1.5" pvc to maximize pump gallons per hour..........and yes pvc cement is reef-safe after it has dried (like 6~24 hours)

also get quality test kits, refratometer, and quality additives ( B-Ionic is a good brand and for test kits Salifert is a good brand. Personally i use Nutrafin test kits and they work well so far)

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY GET AN RO/DI SYSTEM some good brands are

BFS (buckeye field supply) 75gpd $185
Filter guys 75gpd Ocean Reef +1 ( have them change the sediment filter to 1 micron and the carbon blocks to .6 micron) $200
Spectrapure Best system on the market cost around $350

hope this helps

marine_len59 · 08/14/2008, 08:49 AM

The lighting is a T5 HO Sun System. As the tank is 24", there are 6 48" tubes. The pump is a Supreme Classic (1800 gph) and the skimmer is a Corallife, but is only rated for up to 125 gallons, and the tank is 148. Do I need a new larger skimmer, or just an additional smaller one? How much live rock would you recommend as I have around 50 pounds at present.

08/13/2008, 03:05 PM	#1
marine_len59 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Calgary Posts: 8	Setting up my FIRST reef tank - do's/don't's I am about to set up my new reef tank and would like the process to go as smoothly (obviously) as possible. I have had salt water tanks for several years, but never a reef tank. It is 148 gallons with a 5' length and 24" of height and width. Sump underneath wirh skimmer and live rock for biological filtering in the tank. I plan on keeping SPS type coral and associated livestock. So, my question, is there a 'bible' or a specific book that outlines the step-by-step procedure for setting it up correctly? Everything from proper water preparation and filtering; to lighting duration times and reef lingo explained. Or are there links here that are designed for newbies to get their feet wet before diving in. Appreciate any help....thanks!

08/13/2008, 03:52 PM	#2
bsagecko Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 1,752	I like reef volumes 1&2 great books for reef keeping But more importantly i think having a forum like this or a local reef club will be the best bet Post in the reef discussion forum and what type of lighting u plan on using I suggest you having 3x 250W Metal Halide (MH) with 2x Very High Output (VHO) superactinic how much rock you have? what kind of skimmer is it? can you take a picture of how you think you will set it up I suggest tunze or Korlia powerheads for flow Eheim........little giant.......mag........dart........are all good pumps Mag pumps run a lil hot but they last forever (10+ years) Eheim not as hot as mags little giant are small external pumps (less hear added to the system) dart are powerful pumps that are built to last (might be a lil overkill on your system) check out melevsreef.com also i would start out with easier coral such as zoas, xenia, gsp, leathers/ kenya tree for the first few months and then move into sps slowly ( like make sure you can keep these alive for like 3-4 months and then go into sps) for fish stay away from dwarf angels (usually considered reef safe) as they have a habit of nipping sps............. for your first fish i suggest a pair of clowns like B&W Ocellaris True perc False perc picasso clowns or golden stripe maroon clowns ( territorial have a lil attitude but you have enough space in the tank for it) for plumping make sure to use 1"-1.5" pvc to maximize pump gallons per hour..........and yes pvc cement is reef-safe after it has dried (like 6~24 hours) also get quality test kits, refratometer, and quality additives ( B-Ionic is a good brand and for test kits Salifert is a good brand. Personally i use Nutrafin test kits and they work well so far) BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY GET AN RO/DI SYSTEM some good brands are BFS (buckeye field supply) 75gpd $185 Filter guys 75gpd Ocean Reef +1 ( have them change the sediment filter to 1 micron and the carbon blocks to .6 micron) $200 Spectrapure Best system on the market cost around $350 hope this helps __________________ There are three things that will never be believed- the true, the probable, the logical (Steinbeck) Obey little, Resist much Current Tank Info: 24g AIO

08/14/2008, 08:49 AM	#3
marine_len59 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Calgary Posts: 8	The lighting is a T5 HO Sun System. As the tank is 24", there are 6 48" tubes. The pump is a Supreme Classic (1800 gph) and the skimmer is a Corallife, but is only rated for up to 125 gallons, and the tank is 148. Do I need a new larger skimmer, or just an additional smaller one? How much live rock would you recommend as I have around 50 pounds at present.