11 mounths into my Reef

bignate31 · 10/20/2006, 12:53 PM

I have been working on my reef tank 11 mounths. Its been going really well. I have finally got all my algea blooms to calm down and the tank is really taking its form now. Its a 65 gallon with 4 54w t-5s over it. I have had a blast build this tank as its my first. I just stested my water last night and am getting good levels with everything. I have three questions:

1. I want to get a calcium reactor, but I wanted to know which one is the best?

2. What are some good corals to start out with?

3. I wanted to move some of my 90 pound of live rock around to make my tank really look good as I did not plan well when I first put it in there. Is this ok or should I just leave the rock were it is?

I just love looking at all the great pictures that everyone puts on here they look great and they give me great ideas. MY tank has really started to run itself and I find myself have to tweak it less and less. I have to percs in there right now that just love to swin all day back a forth. They dont adventure into the rock much but they seem happy. I have one algea blemmy which is really cool and has a great personallity. Thats about it I have had alot of fun so far and its hard because everytime i go to there fish shop I want to by stuff but I also want to take my time and do thing right.

Any suggestions that anyone has would be great. I am going to try and get some pics on here in a little bit.

Thanks Eveyone.

MCary · 10/20/2006, 01:11 PM

You won't need a calcium reactor unless your having trouble keeping you calcium stable or you have alot of SPS corals.

auto_loader · 10/20/2006, 01:13 PM

It sounds like you dont have any corals yet and if thats the case I would question the need for a calcium reactor at this time. Unless you are planning a bunch of SPS colonies right away your tanks consumption rate for CA and Alk should be pretty low. If your not planning for SPS then I definately would not go with the reactor yet. Let the consumption rate of the tank dictate to you when a calcium reactor is needed. You should be able to keep things in check pretty easy with normal water changes and some 2 part.

As far as reactors go, I have an MRC from myreefcreations.com and they are built good and reasonably priced.

If you want SPS id recommend starting with some montipora. They grow fast and are hardy and your current lighting would probably be sufficient to keep them alive.

Now is the time to move your rock around before you get corals.

bignate31 · 10/20/2006, 01:24 PM

I do have two differant corals in my tank at the moment but I was so excited to get them that I for got there names. They are both a type soft coral, one looks like a little tree growing up with differant branchs it like a brownish grey. The secound is like a ball with all the little tubes coming off it with little polyps at the end. I will try to get pictures so you guys can help me. I will try and move the rocks with out making to much off a camotion in the tank. I kinda want a reactor so that I dont have to dose the tank I mean it cant hurt to have a reactor right?

MCary · 10/20/2006, 01:31 PM

If you got $500 laying around, go for it.

bignate31 · 10/20/2006, 01:36 PM

Well I mean its not like I have it laying around but is it the right investment for the future? Is it worth it to just wait?

auto_loader · 10/20/2006, 01:37 PM

IMO a reactor is not needed. You would be better off getting a kalk reactor use it to just top off with limewater. A setup like your describing doesnt need a calcium reactor. Move the rocks all you want your corals will be fine.

bignate31 · 10/20/2006, 02:00 PM

I know is sounds dumb but what is a Kalk Reactor? Or more inportant what is the differance? Thanks I will move the rocks and post some picture could you post some picture of you tank and you set up in general? I just love seeing how peoples set ups look?

MCary · 10/20/2006, 03:15 PM

A kalk reactor is actually not a reactor at all but a stirrer. Kalk powder is put in the chamber and a stirrer on a timer mixes the kalk at certain intervals. Kalk must be mixed in fresh water. So the kalk reactor is normally put inline with the topoff system although it could be dripped separately.

Mike

dstall · 10/20/2006, 04:33 PM

Based on your size tank i would just go with the 2-part additive. i.e. B-Ionis to maintain CA ans ALK. I use it on my 90 and it does a great job.

10/20/2006, 12:53 PM	#1
bignate31 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 46	11 mounths into my Reef I have been working on my reef tank 11 mounths. Its been going really well. I have finally got all my algea blooms to calm down and the tank is really taking its form now. Its a 65 gallon with 4 54w t-5s over it. I have had a blast build this tank as its my first. I just stested my water last night and am getting good levels with everything. I have three questions: 1. I want to get a calcium reactor, but I wanted to know which one is the best? 2. What are some good corals to start out with? 3. I wanted to move some of my 90 pound of live rock around to make my tank really look good as I did not plan well when I first put it in there. Is this ok or should I just leave the rock were it is? I just love looking at all the great pictures that everyone puts on here they look great and they give me great ideas. MY tank has really started to run itself and I find myself have to tweak it less and less. I have to percs in there right now that just love to swin all day back a forth. They dont adventure into the rock much but they seem happy. I have one algea blemmy which is really cool and has a great personallity. Thats about it I have had alot of fun so far and its hard because everytime i go to there fish shop I want to by stuff but I also want to take my time and do thing right. Any suggestions that anyone has would be great. I am going to try and get some pics on here in a little bit. Thanks Eveyone.

10/20/2006, 01:11 PM	#2
MCary Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Hardin, Montana Posts: 3,142	You won't need a calcium reactor unless your having trouble keeping you calcium stable or you have alot of SPS corals.

10/20/2006, 01:13 PM	#3
auto_loader Premium Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Rochelle, IL Posts: 585	It sounds like you dont have any corals yet and if thats the case I would question the need for a calcium reactor at this time. Unless you are planning a bunch of SPS colonies right away your tanks consumption rate for CA and Alk should be pretty low. If your not planning for SPS then I definately would not go with the reactor yet. Let the consumption rate of the tank dictate to you when a calcium reactor is needed. You should be able to keep things in check pretty easy with normal water changes and some 2 part. As far as reactors go, I have an MRC from myreefcreations.com and they are built good and reasonably priced. If you want SPS id recommend starting with some montipora. They grow fast and are hardy and your current lighting would probably be sufficient to keep them alive. Now is the time to move your rock around before you get corals.

10/20/2006, 01:24 PM	#4
bignate31 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 46	I do have two differant corals in my tank at the moment but I was so excited to get them that I for got there names. They are both a type soft coral, one looks like a little tree growing up with differant branchs it like a brownish grey. The secound is like a ball with all the little tubes coming off it with little polyps at the end. I will try to get pictures so you guys can help me. I will try and move the rocks with out making to much off a camotion in the tank. I kinda want a reactor so that I dont have to dose the tank I mean it cant hurt to have a reactor right?

10/20/2006, 01:31 PM	#5
MCary Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Hardin, Montana Posts: 3,142	If you got $500 laying around, go for it.

10/20/2006, 01:36 PM	#6
bignate31 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 46	Well I mean its not like I have it laying around but is it the right investment for the future? Is it worth it to just wait?

10/20/2006, 01:37 PM	#7
auto_loader Premium Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Rochelle, IL Posts: 585	IMO a reactor is not needed. You would be better off getting a kalk reactor use it to just top off with limewater. A setup like your describing doesnt need a calcium reactor. Move the rocks all you want your corals will be fine.

10/20/2006, 02:00 PM	#8
bignate31 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 46	I know is sounds dumb but what is a Kalk Reactor? Or more inportant what is the differance? Thanks I will move the rocks and post some picture could you post some picture of you tank and you set up in general? I just love seeing how peoples set ups look?

10/20/2006, 03:15 PM	#9
MCary Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Hardin, Montana Posts: 3,142	A kalk reactor is actually not a reactor at all but a stirrer. Kalk powder is put in the chamber and a stirrer on a timer mixes the kalk at certain intervals. Kalk must be mixed in fresh water. So the kalk reactor is normally put inline with the topoff system although it could be dripped separately. Mike

10/20/2006, 04:33 PM	#10
dstall Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 320	Based on your size tank i would just go with the 2-part additive. i.e. B-Ionis to maintain CA ans ALK. I use it on my 90 and it does a great job.