Help please

Myfirstreeftank · 02/26/2015, 12:06 PM

Hi everyone I am planning on getting my first ever reef tank and I would like a plug and play set up as I really do not know where to start with equipment etc. I would love some advice on which brand/tank to go for in the 400/500 litre arena. I appreciate that there is a big difference in costs between brands and would like the information based on everything not just price if possible. Thank you so much in advance for your help and guidance. Regards, Jason.

Sk8r · 02/26/2015, 12:26 PM

The best turnkey beginner tanks are the all-in-ones, which at 30 gallons (ca 100 liters?) contain a miniaturized skimmer plus lighting, and are sumpless.

To get to a 120 gallon (4oo liter) tank, you will need to buy your own equipment, and I would recommend a 120 long with 30 gallon sump, 200-gallon-rated skimmer, etc, with light appropriate to what you want to keep: corals require strong to moderate lighting depending on type, and fish don't need much except to show off their colors, but they tolerate bright lighting.
Things to buy top or upper end: lighting, heater, pump, tank with pretty thick glass.
Things you can save money on: use small amount of live rock, and for the rest, get limestone and aragonite sand that you can condition.
Autopoff ---whatever works for you.
Quarantine tank and pump: cheap as possible, rarely filled, used 4 weeks at a go.
Ongoing expenses: salt, testing materials, supplemental stuff. Electricity. Replacement bulbs once every 6-8 mos for MH lighting.
WHen buying lighting, remember that MH (metal halide) takes a very pricey big ballast and uses bulbs that wear out without burning out.

02/26/2015, 12:06 PM	#1
Myfirstreeftank Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Gloucestershire, UK Posts: 2	Help please Hi everyone I am planning on getting my first ever reef tank and I would like a plug and play set up as I really do not know where to start with equipment etc. I would love some advice on which brand/tank to go for in the 400/500 litre arena. I appreciate that there is a big difference in costs between brands and would like the information based on everything not just price if possible. Thank you so much in advance for your help and guidance. Regards, Jason.

02/26/2015, 12:26 PM	#2
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	The best turnkey beginner tanks are the all-in-ones, which at 30 gallons (ca 100 liters?) contain a miniaturized skimmer plus lighting, and are sumpless. To get to a 120 gallon (4oo liter) tank, you will need to buy your own equipment, and I would recommend a 120 long with 30 gallon sump, 200-gallon-rated skimmer, etc, with light appropriate to what you want to keep: corals require strong to moderate lighting depending on type, and fish don't need much except to show off their colors, but they tolerate bright lighting. Things to buy top or upper end: lighting, heater, pump, tank with pretty thick glass. Things you can save money on: use small amount of live rock, and for the rest, get limestone and aragonite sand that you can condition. Autopoff ---whatever works for you. Quarantine tank and pump: cheap as possible, rarely filled, used 4 weeks at a go. Ongoing expenses: salt, testing materials, supplemental stuff. Electricity. Replacement bulbs once every 6-8 mos for MH lighting. WHen buying lighting, remember that MH (metal halide) takes a very pricey big ballast and uses bulbs that wear out without burning out. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.