New to saltwater, 72g soon to be reef

try2catchmike · 10/02/2013, 04:39 PM

Hello I have extra tank that I plan on turning into a reef tank. I have a few questions but let me list where I am at,http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...o_threadsearch

72g Tank

Sump W/Bioballs (May replace these)

Mag 7 return pump

Corallife skimmer, it has a leak from the gasket so im probably going to modify it somewhat because the gasket is junk.

Lighting is metal halide with 150w white light and two 14w blue bulbs. Is this going to be enough for some of the lower life corals?

I ordered about 50lbs of dry rock and am going to buy about 50 more lbs locally but how much do I need for a nice rock wall?

After I cycle the tank what is the best creature to start with? I want to put some crabs, shrimp, snails, whatever wont end up eventually eating my corals.

I will post a picture later. I have no idea what I will eventually stock it with, but my wife already wants "nemo".

try2catchmike · 10/02/2013, 05:52 PM

I forgot to ask this aswell, I have these on my 225g freshwater to keep the substrate clean. Would this be to much flow for the 72g?

http://www.amazon.com/1300-Coral-Aqu...rds=powerheads

oscarinw · 10/02/2013, 08:04 PM

How much rock is enough for a wall? It will depend on the kind of rock you end up buying. Very porous rock (preferable from a bio-filtering standpoint) would need a lot of volume to make up 50 pounds. Some base rock can make 50lbs with 3 large pieces... Your eye is your best ally here.
Creature to start with? A pair of hermits followed by your 'nemo' 2 weeks later.
You might already know this but make sure your tank 'cycles' before adding any creature.
Good luck with things and I'm looking forward to the pictures

try2catchmike · 10/11/2013, 11:17 AM

Here is a picture from the other day, I have added a black background since.

Got the rock off CL for pretty cheap as well as another bucket or two in my garage. Not sure how much it weighs but should be enough. I will be adding about 10-20lbs of live rock tomorrow. In 2 weeks ill probably add 2 clowns if everything is still going well. For future fish I am looking at the Kole Tang, Six line Wrasse, gobie/blenny and maybe a few other small fish still got awhile to figure it out.

10/02/2013, 04:39 PM	#1
try2catchmike Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 6	New to saltwater, 72g soon to be reef Hello I have extra tank that I plan on turning into a reef tank. I have a few questions but let me list where I am at,http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...o_threadsearch 72g Tank Sump W/Bioballs (May replace these) Mag 7 return pump Corallife skimmer, it has a leak from the gasket so im probably going to modify it somewhat because the gasket is junk. Lighting is metal halide with 150w white light and two 14w blue bulbs. Is this going to be enough for some of the lower life corals? I ordered about 50lbs of dry rock and am going to buy about 50 more lbs locally but how much do I need for a nice rock wall? After I cycle the tank what is the best creature to start with? I want to put some crabs, shrimp, snails, whatever wont end up eventually eating my corals. I will post a picture later. I have no idea what I will eventually stock it with, but my wife already wants "nemo".

10/02/2013, 05:52 PM	#2
try2catchmike Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 6	I forgot to ask this aswell, I have these on my 225g freshwater to keep the substrate clean. Would this be to much flow for the 72g? http://www.amazon.com/1300-Coral-Aqu...rds=powerheads

10/02/2013, 08:04 PM	#3
oscarinw Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Western Massachusetts Posts: 1,091	How much rock is enough for a wall? It will depend on the kind of rock you end up buying. Very porous rock (preferable from a bio-filtering standpoint) would need a lot of volume to make up 50 pounds. Some base rock can make 50lbs with 3 large pieces... Your eye is your best ally here. Creature to start with? A pair of hermits followed by your 'nemo' 2 weeks later. You might already know this but make sure your tank 'cycles' before adding any creature. Good luck with things and I'm looking forward to the pictures

10/11/2013, 11:17 AM	#4
try2catchmike Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 6	Here is a picture from the other day, I have added a black background since. Got the rock off CL for pretty cheap as well as another bucket or two in my garage. Not sure how much it weighs but should be enough. I will be adding about 10-20lbs of live rock tomorrow. In 2 weeks ill probably add 2 clowns if everything is still going well. For future fish I am looking at the Kole Tang, Six line Wrasse, gobie/blenny and maybe a few other small fish still got awhile to figure it out.