Marine only to Reef Conversion

[AdamPLawrence]

Hello Everyone,

My roommate and I have had salt water fish for about two years now but just started a new tank about 10 months ago. We would like to get into reefing but dont have a tank that is designed for it and I'm looking for a way to convert this tank into a reef tank with a sump.

It is 125g and currently has a hanging protien skimmer on the right side and 3 canister filters. Amonia, nitrates, and nitrites are all zero. pH is 8.3ish. SG is 1.026. I haven't measured for Ca, KH or MG yet.

Attached is a picture of the current setup.

Thanks in advance to the help !

-Adam

[rocsec1]

You can either drill the tank (the better way to go) or use a hang on overflow box.

[AdamPLawrence]

Is it actually a requirement to have a sump/overflow to run a reef or can I just roll with what I have now?

[acabgd]

There is no requirement for a sump. If you plan on keeping SPS coral though, it's better to have a sump as it will enable you to have a much better skimmer, reactors, dosers and what not.

[Sk8r]

Second that.
If you can POSSIBLY have a sump, it'll prevent your dt bristling with 'stuff' and hoses. Get an old garage sale drum table or armoire and set it next to the fish tank, with the sump in there: mine's in my basement, hoses through the floor. But if you can't, the filters are going to be your problem. You'd be better just doing an external pump and pulling water down and up, no filters. If you strike a good balance with softies and small fish, the softies will be your filters. Stony can do that, too, but their calcium-feeding makes a no-sump proposition a little more difficult: still, with an ATO and kalk, it could be done.

[AdamPLawrence]

Thanks a lot acabgd!

[AdamPLawrence]

So Sk8r what you're saying is that the filters are more of a hindrance in a reef system than a help? Why is that exactly?

Additionally beyond the workings of the tank what is the best way to introduce the corals to the tank?

[acabgd]

Originally Posted by AdamPLawrence

So Sk8r what you're saying is that the filters are more of a hindrance in a reef system than a help? Why is that exactly?

Additionally beyond the workings of the tank what is the best way to introduce the corals to the tank?

The main filtration in a reef tank is your live rock. Some people use mechanical as well (filter socks), but freshwater filters are not really needed. In addition to that, you need to clean them very thoroughly every few days in order to prevent detritus buildup, which might produce nitrate. Some people use filters as simple reactors for GFO or carbon. But otherwise, they're more of a hindrance as you said.

As for introducing coral, your main goal should be stability. Stable salinity, alkalinity, calcium and magnesium. Get a refractometer to check your salinity and good quality (Salifert or Red Sea) testkits to check for Alk, Ca and Mg. Obviously you need some lights to support your corals. Depending on what coral you want or plan to keep you need to get adequate lighting.

[AdamPLawrence]

Thanks for the help folks!

So I've decided to move my live stock into a 30 gallon tank for a month or so while I alter my current system and then cycle the live rock/sand. I am going to go with a BeAn Animal setup. I'll keep y'all updated.

[Vilas]

Something to consider - have you ever medicated your tank? Especially with copper?

[AdamPLawrence]

No I've luckily never had any sick fish. Why do you ask? Should I do it as a preventative measure?

-Adam

[Vilas]

Nope! Copper kills inverts - so if it has been ised in your tank, you'd have to make sure it didn't leach out.