hey new here

[Lyotim88]

Hey guys, i'm Tim and i'm new to reefkeeping and these forums. I have 2 FW tanks and an empty 55gallon. The 55 is going to be a reef. I do have access to some pretty solid advice from a marine biologist who works at my lfs but i still have a few questions. I have most of the equipment i need, here's what i have so far: Marineland 100 in-sump skimmer, GLO 48" 2x54w T5 HO, 2 maxijet 900's which i'm going to return for Koralia 1's, refractometer and an empty 29G which im going to use for a sump and i think that's about it so far. On DR's F&S i have in my cart: API master liquid saltwater test kit, Mag Drive 700, calc test, KH test, phosphate test, eshopps overflow box PF-800, 200 gallon box of reef crystals. My next thing to get is "The Reef Aquarium vol 3" by Julian Sprung.

Now for a couple of questions..
1) my marine biologist friend advised me to go bare-bottom substrate-wise. What do you think? I know as far as maintenance goes it'll be superior but i'd much rather have the natural look of sand and have some sand-sifting gobies and possibly a pistol shrimp/goby pair.

2) My sump tank is on the bottom shelf of my stand and i literally have inches from the top of the tank to the bottom of the stand, not even enough room to top off through the sump. What should i do, just go for a 20 Long and make that my sump? Has anybody had this problem before?

3) I figure 65-75 lbs of LR, right? How big should my CUC be? Example maybe?

4) Can i get a sample of what corals i can keep?

I think that's good for now, don't want to bombard you guys with questions on my first visit. I'm sure coming here for advice was the right thing to do, i just feel so overwhelmed when it comes to the whole science/art of keeping corals! Any advice is greatly appreciated, thanks in advance.

[drparker]

To Reef Central

The debate rages on between BB and Sand. I've never run BB some say harder some say easier. I like the look of sand, the life it supports so I put up with its problems.

You'll need more room than a couple of inches to work with in your sump. If you cannot add, remove or maintain any equipment in the sump then IMHO it would be useless.

Good target on the rock but it depends on it's density. the more porous the less it needs to weigh.

corals will depend on the light, I'm not sure 2 T5s are enough over a 55. you'll need the T5 experts for that, or ask in the T5 Q&A thread in the lighting forum.

Good luck!

[Lyotim88]

Thanks for the reply. I was told by a few people that my light could support most corals. I have a powerglo 18,000k and a marineglo actinic blue

[PRDubois]

I have Koralia 2 and it does not put out the flow you would want.
Go with the Koralia 3 for keep the Maxijets.

Drill the tank for the overflow. You can get your LFS to do this.
HOB overflow box's will flood your house. I do not use a sump because my tank is not drilled and I can not find anyone who will say a HOB overflow box will not flood. (Also eshopps is the worst)
If you must go with one I believe they say CPR is the best.

I have the GLO 48" 2x54w T5 HO. on a 72 gal bow. You will find lots of people who will say it is not enough light. It depends on what you want to keep. I have a 18,000k and a Blue+ Bulbs.

I have a large range of corals that are doing good.

Personaly I like the look of sand vs BB. It looks natural.

I would say 50 to 75lb of rock is good. Depends on density of rock which is what type of rock.

As far as what corals you can keep, this is what I have and I have the same light as you. Your tank is not as deep as mine so you would be OK with any of this or maybe more.

FISH - Yellow Tang - Percula Clownfish 3 - Flame Angelfish – Half Blue Damsel - Longnose Hawkfish - Blue Hippo Tang - Blue Throat Trigger
INVERTS – ANEMONES - Rose Bubble Tip - Curly Q - Long Tentacle
Derasa Clam - Arrow Crab- Sally Lightfoot - Blueleg Hermit Crabs 30 - Scarlet Hermit Crabs 10
Cleaner Shrimp- Peppermint Shrimp 2 - Mexican Turbo Snail - Nassarius Snail 5 – Bumblebee Snail - Sand Sifting Starfish
CORALS - Brain Coral/ Maze - Frogspawn Coral - Goniopora Red - Green Star Polyp – Blue Mushroom -
Green Striped Mushroom - Green Eye Zoos – Tub Blue Zoos – Hammerhead Coral – Pink Monti Cap -Acans

Here are some pics of my tank and corals:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1592927

[Lyotim88]

thanks for the info. I can't get my tank drilled as it is tempered glass, the shop won't even try it. My next option is to go without a sump, huh? Is that safe to do? It's a pretty small tank as far as reefs go and i see you're running yours without a sump. I mean i will be doing weekly water changes for sure as well as staying on top of my testing. What do you think of doing that? i would just need to get a HOB skimmer? Any reccomendations on that?

[PRDubois]

Ask them if you can drill the back glass. Normally only the botton is Tempered.

No sump works, Just need a good Protien Skimmer. They are all under reted so get one that is good for twice the capasity of your tank.

Sump is to:
Maintain your water level in the display tank.
Hide things such as heaters & Skimmer.
Grow Chito

I have no sump so:
I top off Daily (about 1 gal per day of Fresh RODI)
I hide the heater behing the rocks.
HOB Skimmer I do not mind the look of.
I grow Chito in a little container attached to the back of my glass. You can see it in the pics.

As far as skimmers I started with a Coralife. It has been OK, but I think I need more. I also have to empty it every 2 days.

I have this one on the way. It is highly rated. I would reccomend it for you if you do not want a sump.
http://www.reefspecialty.com/Protein...duct_info.html

[Lyotim88]

i've heard the aquac remora was the best. Would that suffice? I was advised to run the tank skimmerless for about 2 months to let the protein build up for the corals anyway.

[PRDubois]

Go here and ask Charlie. He is the skimmer man.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1595040