What Do I Need To Setup A New Reef Tank

snaza · 04/02/2006, 08:11 AM

hi everyone. just setting up first reef tank and need to know if i'm on the right track from what i've read here on the forum.

4x18x18 tank
DSB about 4 inches
70pound live rock
sump/fuge with protein skimmer adn return pump.
4x54W T5 lights
heater

i want to keep corals so is there anything else i need. mechanical filtration? i've read bio ball etc are nitrate factories but do i need any other type of filtration or will the live rock and GOOD skimmer be fine?

do i need power heads for circulation? how many?

any thoughts please let me know.

adnup · 04/02/2006, 08:20 AM

I'll assume the 4 means 48?

I'm no expert but I think your return pump should turn the water 10x and hour - so 750gph pump should be what you need. I have 2 maxijet 900's, a 280 power sweep and my return pump(1000 gph) in my 90gal. I'm have with the flow in my tank.

I use a filter sock before the water hits the skimmer. Just to catch the big stuff(and hold some copods).

Good luck and remember PATIENCE!

CarmieJo · 04/02/2006, 11:06 AM

TalkingReef's early podcasts were all about starting your tank, equipment, cycling, etc. I really learned a lot listening to them. You can find them on iTunes or www.talkingreef.com

jdm01 · 04/02/2006, 07:50 PM

Probably need to think about the powerheads. I use Rio. I am finding most use Sieo or Tunze. I may switch if I cannot control the flow better. In any event, I keep the flow in my 90g around 30-35x tank capacity.

For water clarity, you might want to consider a UV sterilizer. The jury is out on these, but I am using one successfully.

In the initial startup I have used an AquaClear 50 with the prefilter attachment for additional filtration. That really helped clear the water quickly. You should not need the filter long term, just through the cycle and when/if the water gets a little particulate matter that you would like to remove quickly. It helped clear the inital algae bloom quickly.

bertoni · 04/02/2006, 11:12 PM

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=239848

That thread might be useful.

salty444 · 04/03/2006, 04:38 AM

alot of patience

04/02/2006, 08:11 AM	#1
snaza Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 1,393	What Do I Need To Setup A New Reef Tank hi everyone. just setting up first reef tank and need to know if i'm on the right track from what i've read here on the forum. 4x18x18 tank DSB about 4 inches 70pound live rock sump/fuge with protein skimmer adn return pump. 4x54W T5 lights heater i want to keep corals so is there anything else i need. mechanical filtration? i've read bio ball etc are nitrate factories but do i need any other type of filtration or will the live rock and GOOD skimmer be fine? do i need power heads for circulation? how many? any thoughts please let me know.

04/02/2006, 08:20 AM	#2
adnup Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Spring Hill, Florida Posts: 2,025	I'll assume the 4 means 48? I'm no expert but I think your return pump should turn the water 10x and hour - so 750gph pump should be what you need. I have 2 maxijet 900's, a 280 power sweep and my return pump(1000 gph) in my 90gal. I'm have with the flow in my tank. I use a filter sock before the water hits the skimmer. Just to catch the big stuff(and hold some copods). Good luck and remember PATIENCE! __________________ A HOUSE isn't a HOME without saltwater on the floor! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire, I-Tech 200 Skimmer, Snapper, Tunze

04/02/2006, 11:06 AM	#3
CarmieJo Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NC Posts: 390	TalkingReef's early podcasts were all about starting your tank, equipment, cycling, etc. I really learned a lot listening to them. You can find them on iTunes or www.talkingreef.com __________________ Carmie Only disasters happen fast! Current Tank Info: 54 gal AGA corner tank with a Solaris LED fixture; NanoCube 24 Last edited by bertoni; 04/02/2006 at 11:21 PM.

04/02/2006, 07:50 PM	#4
jdm01 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Greenfield Posts: 904	Probably need to think about the powerheads. I use Rio. I am finding most use Sieo or Tunze. I may switch if I cannot control the flow better. In any event, I keep the flow in my 90g around 30-35x tank capacity. For water clarity, you might want to consider a UV sterilizer. The jury is out on these, but I am using one successfully. In the initial startup I have used an AquaClear 50 with the prefilter attachment for additional filtration. That really helped clear the water quickly. You should not need the filter long term, just through the cycle and when/if the water gets a little particulate matter that you would like to remove quickly. It helped clear the inital algae bloom quickly. __________________ John Martin Current Tank Info: 29 Gallon BioCube

04/02/2006, 11:12 PM	#5
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=239848 That thread might be useful. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

04/03/2006, 04:38 AM	#6
salty444 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NY Posts: 53	alot of patience