New to saltwater

iap · 01/31/2010, 06:41 PM

Hi. I have decided to go to the reef side, well at least with one of my tanks for now. I have several freshwater tanks and finally settled on converting my 28x282x32 100g tank to a reef setup. All that I have as of now is a 40 gallon sump and heater. What all will be needed to have a great looking reed tank. What size, brand skimmer would be sufficient for me. What type of lighting would I need? What else will I be needing to get on my way? How many pounds of live rock would I need? I plan to get base rock as well as I am not in a super rush to get it cycled and running. How many pounds of sand would I need? And is live sand better/necessary or is regular old play sand ok?
Thanks in advance as I'm sure I will get a lot of answers here.

Octoshark · 01/31/2010, 06:50 PM

You should get a protein skimmer.

You will most likely need to upgrade your lighting depending upon your setup.

In general:

2-3 watts per gallon for FOWLR (fish only with live rock)
3-5 watts per gallon for a reef tank with corals

1-2 pounds of live rock per gallon, but this will ultimately depend upon the density and surface area of the rock you choose.

I would definitely go with live sand instead of play sand.

sharky's machin · 01/31/2010, 06:56 PM

What type of livestock are you planning?

What corals are you planning?

Argonite sand works fine, probably just enough for a 2" sandbed.

Liverock depends too. I've found that about 1 lb to 1-1/4 lbs works fine. Any more and its just too crowded. I would just buy and aquascape until you like the way it looks. If you aren't in a hurry, you can get some good deals on rock.

I run an Octo Extreme 200 for my 110 gallon and its probably too much for my tank but works well.

Lights will depend on what you want to keep.

iap · 01/31/2010, 06:58 PM

Yea I know, I have no lighting as of right now, well besides the standard flourescent tubes for a freshwater tank. When you say I should get a protein skimmer, is that a brand or what?

iap · 01/31/2010, 07:04 PM

I was wanting to keep an eel but was told that won't work with a reef tank. My son and wife want a clown fish for sure but besides that I don't know what other fish.

Corals I am the same way, not sure. I like star polyps, bubble corals, euphyllia ancora, favia.. Those are just some that I just looked at in one of my books that caught my eye. But I have seen so many at the lfs that look beautiful.

Where could I get some good deals online for rock?

Octoshark · 01/31/2010, 07:11 PM

A protein skimmer is not a brand, it is a device used to remove organic material from the tank.

I will get a link to an article for you.

Octoshark · 01/31/2010, 07:13 PM

I didn't read the article to see how in depth it goes, but here is some basic background of what a protein skimmer is:

http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/pro...inskimmer1.htm

iap · 01/31/2010, 07:13 PM

Ok yea I knew what it was but you said I would need a protein skimmer after i stated in my first post that I would need one and wondered what would be a good one for me. Sorry you just confused me a bit with the response.

Yaqngie · 01/31/2010, 07:14 PM

Id start googling around and seeing what you like and go from there. Depending on what you want will depend on how we can help you.

Just remember to take it slow

Octoshark · 01/31/2010, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iap

Ok yea I knew what it was but you said I would need a protein skimmer after i stated in my first post that I would need one and wondered what would be a good one for me. Sorry you just confused me a bit with the response.

lol, sorry that was my fault!

And about live rock online: TampaBaySaltwater.com has some great rock, however, the reason it is great rock is because it comes with a bunch of life (hitchhikers). Depending upon your preference, that could be good or bad. It can be good for those who want a bunch of life, but can be bad for those who are worried about unwanted hitchhikers.

01/31/2010, 06:41 PM	#1
iap BOSS Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 691	New to saltwater Hi. I have decided to go to the reef side, well at least with one of my tanks for now. I have several freshwater tanks and finally settled on converting my 28x282x32 100g tank to a reef setup. All that I have as of now is a 40 gallon sump and heater. What all will be needed to have a great looking reed tank. What size, brand skimmer would be sufficient for me. What type of lighting would I need? What else will I be needing to get on my way? How many pounds of live rock would I need? I plan to get base rock as well as I am not in a super rush to get it cycled and running. How many pounds of sand would I need? And is live sand better/necessary or is regular old play sand ok? Thanks in advance as I'm sure I will get a lot of answers here.

01/31/2010, 06:50 PM	#2
Octoshark Marine Biology Student Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: California Posts: 1,366	You should get a protein skimmer. You will most likely need to upgrade your lighting depending upon your setup. In general: 2-3 watts per gallon for FOWLR (fish only with live rock) 3-5 watts per gallon for a reef tank with corals 1-2 pounds of live rock per gallon, but this will ultimately depend upon the density and surface area of the rock you choose. I would definitely go with live sand instead of play sand. __________________ "Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal."

01/31/2010, 07:11 PM	#6
Octoshark Marine Biology Student Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: California Posts: 1,366	A protein skimmer is not a brand, it is a device used to remove organic material from the tank. I will get a link to an article for you. __________________ "Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal."

01/31/2010, 07:13 PM	#7
Octoshark Marine Biology Student Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: California Posts: 1,366	I didn't read the article to see how in depth it goes, but here is some basic background of what a protein skimmer is: http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/pro...inskimmer1.htm __________________ "Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal."

01/31/2010, 06:56 PM	#3
sharky's machin Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 585	What type of livestock are you planning? What corals are you planning? Argonite sand works fine, probably just enough for a 2" sandbed. Liverock depends too. I've found that about 1 lb to 1-1/4 lbs works fine. Any more and its just too crowded. I would just buy and aquascape until you like the way it looks. If you aren't in a hurry, you can get some good deals on rock. I run an Octo Extreme 200 for my 110 gallon and its probably too much for my tank but works well. Lights will depend on what you want to keep.

01/31/2010, 06:58 PM	#4
iap BOSS Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 691	Yea I know, I have no lighting as of right now, well besides the standard flourescent tubes for a freshwater tank. When you say I should get a protein skimmer, is that a brand or what?

01/31/2010, 07:04 PM	#5
iap BOSS Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 691	I was wanting to keep an eel but was told that won't work with a reef tank. My son and wife want a clown fish for sure but besides that I don't know what other fish. Corals I am the same way, not sure. I like star polyps, bubble corals, euphyllia ancora, favia.. Those are just some that I just looked at in one of my books that caught my eye. But I have seen so many at the lfs that look beautiful. Where could I get some good deals online for rock?

01/31/2010, 07:14 PM	#9
Yaqngie Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: ILM, NC Posts: 85	Id start googling around and seeing what you like and go from there. Depending on what you want will depend on how we can help you. Just remember to take it slow