Overwhelmed with info!

Funkdog · 06/26/2012, 05:55 PM

So I decided after seeing a friends reef tank, that's what I want! I went out and bought a used 29gal tank and figured I would just get on the internet and sort it all out.... Wrong

A little back history, I've done fresh water tanks since I was a kid, no problems there, I had a nice saltwater fish tank setup back in the 1990's that was not too much of a problem for me to keep maintained. It seems like ALOT of things have changed since then.

I get some of the basic ideas and principles for maintaining a reef tank, but exactly which equipment I need to get is where I am having a problem, there are so many choices and ways to go about things like filtration. So here is my question, being new to the hobby ( reefs that is) and not really wanting to put a huge amount of money into a small setup what are my best options for the basic things I need? I thought a few powerheads and a canister filter would be all I need, though it seems like cannister filters aren't exactly the "thing " to do anymore. Any help in pointing me to the right direction would be greatly appreciated!

phillyfishguy · 06/26/2012, 06:05 PM

I would do more research. The tank size you have is okay but it will be harder to maintain water chemistry. Meaning you can really mess it up if you make a mistake... Oh and you will make mistakes. I would of went with a 55 gallon but since you have the tank just consider using that. You need a couple powerheads, some live rock, sand if you want and either a canister filter or an overflow, sump, skimmer option. I would do some more reading. I think I did like 6-8 months of research and just broke the surface.

Funkdog · 06/27/2012, 04:48 AM

Quote:

either a canister filter or an overflow, sump, skimmer option

This is where some of the confusion comes in. I've been reading pros and cons on canister filters, you have one group saying don't use it, and another saying it's fine if maintained? Any thoughts on a hang on style refugium?

As far as a bigger tank, I 'm actually already looking at that option, a friend of a friend might have a 55 for sale.

ToniYo · 06/27/2012, 06:07 AM

Yup! It is frustrating! This hobby does not come with a 1,2,3 or A,B,C set of instructions which is good and bad. Bad because it requires that we digest a lot of information in order to get started and do it right, and good because there are so many options. Necessity being the mother of invention has led to some wonderfully unique ways to set up a tank and to house your supplies. So here are a couple of things to think about before you set up your tank:

1. What are you space limitations? Do you have room only for a nano or can you go with a 180g? Will you have the luxury of a fish room or will you be straining to maximize real estate under your tank?

2. What do you want to keep in the tank? This will effect everything from size to what you use for lighting and filtration. Knowing this will also help narrow down the information you need to absorb.

3. What's your budget? Thinking through a tank set up is time consuming but WILL save you money in the end no matter what your budget. We all have the the "what was I thinking when I bought that?" stuff.

4. And perhaps the most critical...will my significant other be tolerant, understanding or (be still my heart) possibly even enjoy and participate in this new addiction!

Also, as you reach out to other reefers, these will be questions that are asked.

fishgate · 06/27/2012, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Funkdog

This is where some of the confusion comes in. I've been reading pros and cons on canister filters, you have one group saying don't use it, and another saying it's fine if maintained? Any thoughts on a hang on style refugium?

As far as a bigger tank, I 'm actually already looking at that option, a friend of a friend might have a 55 for sale.

Maintained = fully clean out every week. Ditreous buildup in the filter sponges causes high nitrates which are bad for the tank.

55g is not a great footprint for SW due to lack of depth front to back. For a larger tank, start at 120g.

sponger0 · 06/27/2012, 06:57 AM

Since you have already decided you want a reef, I would dump the 29. Easy to sell back on CL.

I would go with a 40 breeder if you dont wanna go too big. And tons of ideas of you you can do it by looking at other people's setups on here.

For filtration, your primary should be any live rock or sand you put in the tank. You should be able to depend on that. Alot of people like to use things to add chemical filtration, when their biological filtration isnt up to par. But all that is needed is to cycle the tank properly.

You have several ways of going at this. But also depends on what you wanna stock it with.

You can have a sump, which I highly recommend for 2 reasons. You can have a better skimmer, which means cleaner water and easier maintenance. Also all your equipment will be out of your display tank, keeper it more clean.

If drilling or setting up a sump isnt what you would like to do then you can go another route. Using a HOB skimmer and just the tank. No need to use any HOB filters.

06/26/2012, 05:55 PM	#1
Funkdog Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 4	Overwhelmed with info! So I decided after seeing a friends reef tank, that's what I want! I went out and bought a used 29gal tank and figured I would just get on the internet and sort it all out.... Wrong A little back history, I've done fresh water tanks since I was a kid, no problems there, I had a nice saltwater fish tank setup back in the 1990's that was not too much of a problem for me to keep maintained. It seems like ALOT of things have changed since then. I get some of the basic ideas and principles for maintaining a reef tank, but exactly which equipment I need to get is where I am having a problem, there are so many choices and ways to go about things like filtration. So here is my question, being new to the hobby ( reefs that is) and not really wanting to put a huge amount of money into a small setup what are my best options for the basic things I need? I thought a few powerheads and a canister filter would be all I need, though it seems like cannister filters aren't exactly the "thing " to do anymore. Any help in pointing me to the right direction would be greatly appreciated!

06/26/2012, 06:05 PM	#2
phillyfishguy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: philadelphia pa Posts: 233	I would do more research. The tank size you have is okay but it will be harder to maintain water chemistry. Meaning you can really mess it up if you make a mistake... Oh and you will make mistakes. I would of went with a 55 gallon but since you have the tank just consider using that. You need a couple powerheads, some live rock, sand if you want and either a canister filter or an overflow, sump, skimmer option. I would do some more reading. I think I did like 6-8 months of research and just broke the surface. __________________ 120 gallon Basement set-up 40 gallon frag/80 gallon sump/30 gallon fuge/ ATB 1050 Current Tank Info: 120 gallon sump in basement

06/27/2012, 06:07 AM	#4
ToniYo Premium Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Tarpon Springs, FL Posts: 214	Yup! It is frustrating! This hobby does not come with a 1,2,3 or A,B,C set of instructions which is good and bad. Bad because it requires that we digest a lot of information in order to get started and do it right, and good because there are so many options. Necessity being the mother of invention has led to some wonderfully unique ways to set up a tank and to house your supplies. So here are a couple of things to think about before you set up your tank: 1. What are you space limitations? Do you have room only for a nano or can you go with a 180g? Will you have the luxury of a fish room or will you be straining to maximize real estate under your tank? 2. What do you want to keep in the tank? This will effect everything from size to what you use for lighting and filtration. Knowing this will also help narrow down the information you need to absorb. 3. What's your budget? Thinking through a tank set up is time consuming but WILL save you money in the end no matter what your budget. We all have the the "what was I thinking when I bought that?" stuff. 4. And perhaps the most critical...will my significant other be tolerant, understanding or (be still my heart) possibly even enjoy and participate in this new addiction! Also, as you reach out to other reefers, these will be questions that are asked.

06/27/2012, 06:57 AM	#6
sponger0 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 6,659	Since you have already decided you want a reef, I would dump the 29. Easy to sell back on CL. I would go with a 40 breeder if you dont wanna go too big. And tons of ideas of you you can do it by looking at other people's setups on here. For filtration, your primary should be any live rock or sand you put in the tank. You should be able to depend on that. Alot of people like to use things to add chemical filtration, when their biological filtration isnt up to par. But all that is needed is to cycle the tank properly. You have several ways of going at this. But also depends on what you wanna stock it with. You can have a sump, which I highly recommend for 2 reasons. You can have a better skimmer, which means cleaner water and easier maintenance. Also all your equipment will be out of your display tank, keeper it more clean. If drilling or setting up a sump isnt what you would like to do then you can go another route. Using a HOB skimmer and just the tank. No need to use any HOB filters.