Getting Back into a Reef Tank

Mr Ipsum · 09/20/2015, 04:26 PM

So I had a couple of reef tanks in the past, 2 iterations of a 29gal. But after a few years of being out of the hobby I'm ready to get back in. In fact, I just finished ordering my RO/DI unit and lighting (Maxspect Razor 320W). Tomorrow I'm going to order the tank itself from a LFS(Red Sea Reefer 350). Hope to begin setting it up in the next 2 weeks.

The only thing I'm unsure about at this point is filling the tank with water. This is the first time having a sump and having to worry about plumbing and pumps; my previous tank(29 gal) was all HOB filtration.

What I am planning to do is set aside a large new trash can of SW and then once I get the LR and live sand, fill the tank with LR and sand and then add in the water. I'll probably have to wait until the next day to get the trash can filled up again to actually finish filling the tank.

According to the documentation from Red Sea, I should fill the sump through the overflow until at the indicated water levels. Then to turn the pumps and skimmer etc, on. Is this typically how it's done? Recommendations?

Also, any recommendation on a return pump and skimmer that would work well with the Red Sea Reefer 350?

Here is my planned stocking list for the tank in order of planned additions first...

2 True Percula Clowns
1 Shrimp Goby & Pistol Shrimp Pair (not sure what goby I want yet)
1 Fairy Wrasse (leaning towards an Orangeback Fairy Wrasse)
3 Carberryi Anthias
1 Yellow Eye Kole Tang
1 Flame Angel

Thoughts?

Cdodge1 · 09/20/2015, 07:48 PM

I'm not too familiar with the red sea tanks but if I recall the electrical components are housed in the stand so Im assuming that's why they want you to fill through the overflow. I think you'd be fine either way, just take care not to splash water anywhere.

Everything looks good with your plan on filling up the tank. As for your livestock, if you plan on having coral, the flame angel might nip at them.

Best of luck!

stingeragent · 09/20/2015, 08:18 PM

This is somewhat off topic but do you mind me asking what the msrp on that tank is? I know my LFS has a red sea tank, and I started looking up one and it was like 5 grand for a 75 gallon ( wasn't the reefer series). I know they look fancy and everything but even with basic DIY skills could build something much larger/cheaper/ w/ more customization. As to your original question, I can't see it working any different than a normal tank with sump so it shouldn't theoretically matter how you fill it. Depending on how its setup , they prolly have set marks in the sump when you get that far, but shouldn't really matter till close to the end of filling. As to the skimmer, I've had good luck with eshopps which is more on the cheap side. My 75g one was about 169 if I remember right. Just make sure it will fit in the skimmer section of that sump, as well as making sure the water height is within the recommended water depth for whatever skimmer you choose. Can always put something to move skimmer higher if it's too deep but can't go the other direction. I personally think skimmers are way too debate-able to get an accurate picture. I've done extensive research and I've seen people with the cheapest coralife skimmer that say it's the best thing they got for there tank. Also seen people that says it's the biggest POS ever. Same goes for eshopps, aquamaxx, seaclone, reef octopus, etc. I'd figure out your sump size, and water height first, and then narrow down your choices from there. Usually what I do when a lot of the reviews are subjective, I'll get on amazon, and look up 3 or 4 i'm interested in, and then compare their overall review rating. If you have skimmer A with 200 reviews and its overall at 2 stars, and skimmer B has 2000 reviews and its a 4, helps you out a bit.

Mr Ipsum · 09/21/2015, 10:02 AM

I've had Flame Angels before in a mixed reef and never had an issue. Hopefully I can get one with a similar disposition this time again.

Cdodge1 · 09/21/2015, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Ipsum

I've had Flame Angels before in a mixed reef and never had an issue. Hopefully I can get one with a similar disposition this time again.

Awesome to hear! I suppose keeping them well fed helps... I never had such luck with mine.

Mr Ipsum · 09/21/2015, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stingeragent

This is somewhat off topic but do you mind me asking what the msrp on that tank is? I know my LFS has a red sea tank, and I started looking up one and it was like 5 grand for a 75 gallon ( wasn't the reefer series).

Best price I've seen for the 350 is just under $1700, same price that I'm getting it for from the LFS.

09/20/2015, 04:26 PM	#1
Mr Ipsum Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Yonkers, NY Posts: 13	Getting Back into a Reef Tank So I had a couple of reef tanks in the past, 2 iterations of a 29gal. But after a few years of being out of the hobby I'm ready to get back in. In fact, I just finished ordering my RO/DI unit and lighting (Maxspect Razor 320W). Tomorrow I'm going to order the tank itself from a LFS(Red Sea Reefer 350). Hope to begin setting it up in the next 2 weeks. The only thing I'm unsure about at this point is filling the tank with water. This is the first time having a sump and having to worry about plumbing and pumps; my previous tank(29 gal) was all HOB filtration. What I am planning to do is set aside a large new trash can of SW and then once I get the LR and live sand, fill the tank with LR and sand and then add in the water. I'll probably have to wait until the next day to get the trash can filled up again to actually finish filling the tank. According to the documentation from Red Sea, I should fill the sump through the overflow until at the indicated water levels. Then to turn the pumps and skimmer etc, on. Is this typically how it's done? Recommendations? Also, any recommendation on a return pump and skimmer that would work well with the Red Sea Reefer 350? Here is my planned stocking list for the tank in order of planned additions first... 2 True Percula Clowns 1 Shrimp Goby & Pistol Shrimp Pair (not sure what goby I want yet) 1 Fairy Wrasse (leaning towards an Orangeback Fairy Wrasse) 3 Carberryi Anthias 1 Yellow Eye Kole Tang 1 Flame Angel Thoughts? __________________ Insert something interesting, witty and funny here...

09/20/2015, 08:18 PM	#3
stingeragent Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 1,032	This is somewhat off topic but do you mind me asking what the msrp on that tank is? I know my LFS has a red sea tank, and I started looking up one and it was like 5 grand for a 75 gallon ( wasn't the reefer series). I know they look fancy and everything but even with basic DIY skills could build something much larger/cheaper/ w/ more customization. As to your original question, I can't see it working any different than a normal tank with sump so it shouldn't theoretically matter how you fill it. Depending on how its setup , they prolly have set marks in the sump when you get that far, but shouldn't really matter till close to the end of filling. As to the skimmer, I've had good luck with eshopps which is more on the cheap side. My 75g one was about 169 if I remember right. Just make sure it will fit in the skimmer section of that sump, as well as making sure the water height is within the recommended water depth for whatever skimmer you choose. Can always put something to move skimmer higher if it's too deep but can't go the other direction. I personally think skimmers are way too debate-able to get an accurate picture. I've done extensive research and I've seen people with the cheapest coralife skimmer that say it's the best thing they got for there tank. Also seen people that says it's the biggest POS ever. Same goes for eshopps, aquamaxx, seaclone, reef octopus, etc. I'd figure out your sump size, and water height first, and then narrow down your choices from there. Usually what I do when a lot of the reviews are subjective, I'll get on amazon, and look up 3 or 4 i'm interested in, and then compare their overall review rating. If you have skimmer A with 200 reviews and its overall at 2 stars, and skimmer B has 2000 reviews and its a 4, helps you out a bit. Last edited by stingeragent; 09/20/2015 at 08:28 PM.

09/21/2015, 10:02 AM	#4
Mr Ipsum Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Yonkers, NY Posts: 13	I've had Flame Angels before in a mixed reef and never had an issue. Hopefully I can get one with a similar disposition this time again. __________________ Insert something interesting, witty and funny here...

09/20/2015, 07:48 PM	#2
Cdodge1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Tampa Palms Posts: 649	I'm not too familiar with the red sea tanks but if I recall the electrical components are housed in the stand so Im assuming that's why they want you to fill through the overflow. I think you'd be fine either way, just take care not to splash water anywhere. Everything looks good with your plan on filling up the tank. As for your livestock, if you plan on having coral, the flame angel might nip at them. Best of luck!