Good reefing!??

silentstorm · 11/12/2013, 03:11 PM

After almost 2 months, I've got water in the 180 tank - my 1st big upgrade (hopefully the one that will last for a long time!!!

)

Started out with a 55 fish only about a year back... it was just a basic setup - no sump no skimmer etc etc.. just live rock & live sand & bi-weekly water changes. Live stock is 2 clowns, 1 blue tang, 1 cardinal & 1 chromis (started with 5 though!!)

Anyways planned to upgrade to the 180 & started my stand build (thanks to rocket engineer's thread with everyone's contribution) & bought a tank finally..
built my 1st sump with drain/skimmer(aqua ev 180), refugium & return sections.

Everything is now plumbed

& the tank is entering its cycle... MY QUESTION... all I have for now is the skimmer ... & I plan to start the refugium after a month or so... How soon should I look into all the other reactor stuff (phosphate, carbon, calcium etc)???

Also need to understand the need to each in particular & the time frame to start them up... (I was thinking with regular water changes, all the trace elements will be replenished so why the need of the reactors..??)

What else should I look into for the long run??

thanks

Allmost · 11/12/2013, 03:14 PM

can you describe the current system ? what is in it right now ? rocks and sand ?

what are you planning on keeping ?

lighting ?

Look up GAC, GFO and 2 part dosing on advanced aquarist, and read the articles as well.

Cozwey · 11/12/2013, 06:28 PM

+1 to what is the plan. If you are still fish only then it is a lot simpler. If you do coral it becomes more involved.

silentstorm · 11/12/2013, 09:11 PM

Well here is my current system... 55 gallon.. 90 -100 lbs live rock on 40ish lbs of live sand. 2 power heads & basic lighting. Ro di unit for water changes. Have only fish & no corals..

The 180 plan is to transfer the fishes I already have ( 2clowns, 1blue tank, 1 cardinal, 1chromis) ... & add more fishes.. And start with corals... A mix of everything is the plan for now...

Have about 250 lbs live rock in the tank... Shallow sand bed.. Just seeded with my old live rock. Have an aqua ev 180 skimmer in the sump (plan to upgrade skimmer after I increase the bio load to certain level). Mp 40 & another 1500gph power head with a mag18 return...

Will upload some pics later..

I did some reading about calcium reactors & phosphate reactors.. How soon should I start these?? In general, what more should I add before starting or sooner the better..?

silentstorm · 11/12/2013, 09:12 PM

And plan on adding reef breeder photon led lighting..

rfgonzo · 11/12/2013, 09:38 PM

You will not need to add reactors till your system requiers it when you know what your going to keep.

11/12/2013, 03:11 PM	#1
silentstorm Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 96	Good reefing!?? After almost 2 months, I've got water in the 180 tank - my 1st big upgrade (hopefully the one that will last for a long time!!! ) Started out with a 55 fish only about a year back... it was just a basic setup - no sump no skimmer etc etc.. just live rock & live sand & bi-weekly water changes. Live stock is 2 clowns, 1 blue tang, 1 cardinal & 1 chromis (started with 5 though!!) Anyways planned to upgrade to the 180 & started my stand build (thanks to rocket engineer's thread with everyone's contribution) & bought a tank finally.. built my 1st sump with drain/skimmer(aqua ev 180), refugium & return sections. Everything is now plumbed & the tank is entering its cycle... MY QUESTION... all I have for now is the skimmer ... & I plan to start the refugium after a month or so... How soon should I look into all the other reactor stuff (phosphate, carbon, calcium etc)??? Also need to understand the need to each in particular & the time frame to start them up... (I was thinking with regular water changes, all the trace elements will be replenished so why the need of the reactors..??) What else should I look into for the long run?? thanks

11/12/2013, 06:28 PM	#3
Cozwey Go Canada!!!! Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 363 Blog Entries: 1	+1 to what is the plan. If you are still fish only then it is a lot simpler. If you do coral it becomes more involved. __________________ QT, Go Slow, Read the Stickies People!!!! Current Tank Info: 120g FOWLR, 55 Perm QT, Full Apex, Kessil, Reef Octo, MP40's, MP10's, Plumbed ATO, BRS 2 part dosing.

11/12/2013, 03:14 PM	#2
Allmost Moved On Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: canada, toronto Posts: 8,161	can you describe the current system ? what is in it right now ? rocks and sand ? what are you planning on keeping ? lighting ? Look up GAC, GFO and 2 part dosing on advanced aquarist, and read the articles as well.

11/12/2013, 09:11 PM	#4
silentstorm Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 96	Well here is my current system... 55 gallon.. 90 -100 lbs live rock on 40ish lbs of live sand. 2 power heads & basic lighting. Ro di unit for water changes. Have only fish & no corals.. The 180 plan is to transfer the fishes I already have ( 2clowns, 1blue tank, 1 cardinal, 1chromis) ... & add more fishes.. And start with corals... A mix of everything is the plan for now... Have about 250 lbs live rock in the tank... Shallow sand bed.. Just seeded with my old live rock. Have an aqua ev 180 skimmer in the sump (plan to upgrade skimmer after I increase the bio load to certain level). Mp 40 & another 1500gph power head with a mag18 return... Will upload some pics later.. I did some reading about calcium reactors & phosphate reactors.. How soon should I start these?? In general, what more should I add before starting or sooner the better..?

11/12/2013, 09:12 PM	#5
silentstorm Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 96	And plan on adding reef breeder photon led lighting..

11/12/2013, 09:38 PM	#6
rfgonzo Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,280	You will not need to add reactors till your system requiers it when you know what your going to keep.