Establishing a fish only tank and then changing to reef

joem1cha3l · 03/23/2008, 07:11 AM

Is there anything special that needs to be done to do so or would it possibly be a good idea for a saltwater beginner like myself to start the tank with a few fish only and then change to reef? Let me know, thanks guys.

wiscsaltwater · 03/23/2008, 07:32 AM

as long as you are conscious about your stocking list and using reef safe animals then i dont see a problem, other than it possibly costing more omney in the long run upgrading lights, etc

wiscsaltwater · 03/23/2008, 07:33 AM

If your planning on it for sure at least start with the basics like a good live sand substrate and live rocks, substrate can be a royal pain in the *** to change out later

sabbath · 03/23/2008, 07:46 AM

Watch what medications use use. Reefs are not tolerant of most meds. IE. copper used just once could make the tank, rocks unusable.

tmz · 03/23/2008, 08:10 AM

Many start with fish only with live rock and move on to corals. I think the expense of the lighting and skimming leads in this direction. Truth is once you have established water quality and adequate lighting and flow, many corals are easier to keep than new fish.

03/23/2008, 07:11 AM	#1
joem1cha3l Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,158	Establishing a fish only tank and then changing to reef Is there anything special that needs to be done to do so or would it possibly be a good idea for a saltwater beginner like myself to start the tank with a few fish only and then change to reef? Let me know, thanks guys.

03/23/2008, 07:32 AM	#2
wiscsaltwater Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 429	as long as you are conscious about your stocking list and using reef safe animals then i dont see a problem, other than it possibly costing more omney in the long run upgrading lights, etc __________________ I have a 10g tank, how many tangs can i keep in it? Current Tank Info: 550g salt, 55g salt, 29g salt

03/23/2008, 07:33 AM	#3
wiscsaltwater Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 429	If your planning on it for sure at least start with the basics like a good live sand substrate and live rocks, substrate can be a royal pain in the *** to change out later __________________ I have a 10g tank, how many tangs can i keep in it? Current Tank Info: 550g salt, 55g salt, 29g salt

03/23/2008, 08:10 AM	#5
tmz ReefKeeping Mag staff Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: West Seneca NY Posts: 27,691	Many start with fish only with live rock and move on to corals. I think the expense of the lighting and skimming leads in this direction. Truth is once you have established water quality and adequate lighting and flow, many corals are easier to keep than new fish. __________________ Tom Current Tank Info: Tank of the Month , November 2011 : 600gal integrated system: 3 display tanks (120 g, 90g, 89g),several frag/grow out tanks, macroalgae refugia, cryptic zones. 40+ fish, seahorses, sps,lps,leathers, zoanthidae and non photosynthetic corals.

03/23/2008, 07:46 AM	#4
sabbath Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Twin City's Mn. Posts: 1,771	Watch what medications use use. Reefs are not tolerant of most meds. IE. copper used just once could make the tank, rocks unusable.