Converting from Planted tanks

[bcarl77]

Hi reef central!

I am an expert planted tank hobbyist (High light, Co2, the whole bit) that is looking to get into Reef tanks. I am starting to learn about these tanks and doing my research as I do before every move I make in my planted tanks. I would like to have a 150+ gallon reef tank when I buy my first home in a few years. In the meantime I have a 26 gallon bowfront aquarium I was contemplating setting up as a Reef tank in order to start learning before a 150g. That being said how much would it cost to get a good reef tank going and would it be worth buying the equipment only to upgrade it all in a few years after? Also is the tank just too small to learn on? I would like to get some general feedback and thoughts in general.

Thanks

[OrQidz]

Welcome to Reef central! This is a great hobby. I think with you being a high tech planted tank person you are already familiar with fancy lighting and keeping parameters in the appropriate zone so you are in a great position to start with a reef. I would go ahead and set up the 26 gallon. It's not too small! Check out the nano forum here on RC. I wouldn't go nuts on a lot of equipment that won't transfer to the 150 later on, but you can set up a nice soft coral tank with a few smaller fish and get a lot of good experience with what you like and don't like about reefs, what type of reef you want, how to deal with plagues of algae, all that good stuff.

If I were going to set up a tank in the 26 gallon range, I would probably look at an all in one set up. Easier to set up, comes with pretty much everything so you don't have to figure everything out separately. But that's totally up to you. If you are using a standard type of fish tank (not drilled, no sump) you tend to end up with heaters and skimmers and a lot of stuff cluttering up the tank and some people hate that, but others don't mind it.

Cost wise, you could go pretty basic and spend a couple hundred bucks on rocks and a HOB filter (and there is nothing wrong with that!) or you could easily spend over $1000 on equipment. It adds up fast.

So jump on in. The 26 gallon will train you well I think. Have fun!

[bcarl77]

Thanks for your response! I would rather use the empty tank I already have and not splurge on a complete set that has items I don't exactly want. For filtration what would be appropriate for that size tank?

[nereefpat]

Originally Posted by bcarl77

For filtration what would be appropriate for that size tank?

Feel like setting up a sump?

In general, filtration in reef tanks is done by live rock and protein skimmers. Although some folks with small tanks get by with water changes only.

[mcgyvr]

All you need for a tank like that is a sufficient light to grow corals, a heater, salt/refractometer and nitrate/phosphate/calcium/alkalinity test kits..

Water changes alone are sufficient to avoid any filters/skimmers,etc...

Not sure what water source you already have but a RO/DI filter system is FAR better than tap water (and the chlorine,etc.. thats in it)

[bcarl77]

I already got a RO/DI system I use with my freshwater tanks. I knew I would get into saltwater one day so I made that investment years ago.

I would really like to avoid a sump. Would like to keep it simple but still set myself up for success.

[roostertech]

Bow front tank is a pain to clean coraline imo. In reefing, tank will be your cheapest component, by far.

If this is just a temp setup, I would just buy a petco 40g breeder with a 20g as sump. More water volume = more stability = less hassle. And a sump make life so much easier.

[davocean]

Originally Posted by roostertech

Bow front tank is a pain to clean coraline imo. In reefing, tank will be your cheapest component, by far.

If this is just a temp setup, I would just buy a petco 40g breeder with a 20g as sump. More water volume = more stability = less hassle. And a sump make life so much easier.

This is true, and then your 40 can become the sump for your next bigger tank.
Planted tanks can easily be as challenging as reefs, but you will have to retrain some of your thinking, I think size is not so much a factor on planted as it is w/ reefs.

[bcarl77]

Thanks guys, that is not a bad option either. I was actually considering moving up to a 40gal for my final freshwater tank. Looks like I have a ton of reading and learning to do.

[DM and the Boys]

Having had many both I'd say the learning curve from fully automated high growth/low nutrient planted tank to a decent mixed LPS/ZOA tank is a wash.

Cost wise I'd say imagine a very nice automated plant tank then add a few hundred for a skimmer, salt, etc.

Reef tanks require weekly maintenance IME, pruning plants can become a pain!

[bcarl77]

Yeah, I am very much used to maintenance, I actually enjoy it. I do 25% water changes every 3-4 days on my planted.

Any thoughts on just going with a Nuvo set-up? I don't think I will be able to transfer any equipment over to the large tank. May be a good way to start up a tank with a better filtration option.

[DM and the Boys]

I've a large Reefer (Red Sea brand tank). WHy not get one of their smaller ones?

[davocean]

Originally Posted by bcarl77

Yeah, I am very much used to maintenance, I actually enjoy it. I do 25% water changes every 3-4 days on my planted.

Any thoughts on just going with a Nuvo set-up? I don't think I will be able to transfer any equipment over to the large tank. May be a good way to start up a tank with a better filtration option.

The Nuvo is good for an all in one and not a bad starter tank, but most of us usually end up wanting more customized sumps and gear down the road, but it's not a bad choice.

[crawlerman]

If you are just trying to get your feet wet ahead of your main reef and not spend too much, just use the 26. You could use the cheap black box LED, heater, powerheads for flow, sand, rock and hang on back skimmer and test kits. Once you have enough posts on reef central you can access the classifieds. There are some good deals. That said, those Nuvo drop off setups are cool. And really aren't that expensive.

Once you decide to set up your main display, go with quality equipment. If you go cheap you wont be happy and end up spending money on better equipment anyway. But if you start early you can watch the classified for good deals.

[bcarl77]

Originally Posted by crawlerman

If you are just trying to get your feet wet ahead of your main reef and not spend too much, just use the 26. You could use the cheap black box LED, heater, powerheads for flow, sand, rock and hang on back skimmer and test kits. Once you have enough posts on reef central you can access the classifieds. There are some good deals. That said, those Nuvo drop off setups are cool. And really aren't that expensive.

Once you decide to set up your main display, go with quality equipment. If you go cheap you wont be happy and end up spending money on better equipment anyway. But if you start early you can watch the classified for good deals.

This was my initial thoughts to set up this tank. Really just trying to get my feet wet. I can research till forever but this is the best way to learn. Any recommendations on a HOB skimmer?

[Joe0813]

just remember the smaller the tank the harder it is to learn on. If something goes wrong it goes wrong fast in a smaller tank. I learned on a 75 reef ready tank. it was big enough to keep some fish and coral and if something went wrong I could catch it

[tkeracer619]

Just setup what you have with a minimalist approach, you don't need anything fancy. Get a couple fish first and forget the coral. If you are successful with the fish, throw a light on the tank that can grow coral and once you manage nutrients to keep algae at bay then consider coral.

One thing is for sure, if you can handle this small of a tank a big one is cake.

Only buy healthy fish that eat and QT them. Read as much as you can, especially the stickies. Enjoy the hobby!!

[Sk8r]

Corals are not that hard. They don't jump, and they stay where you put them if you use superglue (literally). Soft coral is easiest, invasive in some species; lps is moderate; sps is still bleeding edge. What you can keep depends on the lighting: high end LED can be adjusted to the whole range. You have to keep the chemistry in a specific range (it's in my sig line) by testing; and you need an ATO (autotopoff) to keep it there.
Avoid ANY plant except cheato in a fuge (in sump). Corals do the job. A 30 is about the smallest practical size (marine creatures get large). If you plan to expand, get a decent lighting that can be used in a larger (but longer) tank along with similar units in multiple.
A skimmer is important to keep nitrates in check. Live rock provides the filtration by natural breakdown of waste via bacteria.

[bcarl77]

Been doing some reading on light. I am very surprised by how much PAR corals need. Any lighting suggesting for a mixed-reef/softie tank? I would be interested in an option that I could use when I eventually upgrade.

[Patrick.S]

If you don't want to break the bank too bad, I've heard good things about the ocean revive t24/7

[bcarl77]

I know this thread is a little dated but I have done some rethinking on this. I am currently leaning towards the 40B option and setting up to run for a few years. I have been gathering a list of all the equipment I need and I am about $2K in costs.

I would like to stay away from a sump if possible, so I would like a HOB skimmer. But I am open to thoughts....

The other issue I am running into is sense the tank is 48in long most of the LEDs such as Aqua Illuminations and Kessil only cover a 24X24 square meaning I would need two which would significantly impact the budget. Any ideas on the lighting due to the length of the tank?

[newbie2014]

Originally Posted by bcarl77

I know this thread is a little dated but I have done some rethinking on this. I am currently leaning towards the 40B option and setting up to run for a few years. I have been gathering a list of all the equipment I need and I am about $2K in costs.

I would like to stay away from a sump if possible, so I would like a HOB skimmer. But I am open to thoughts....

The other issue I am running into is sense the tank is 48in long most of the LEDs such as Aqua Illuminations and Kessil only cover a 24X24 square meaning I would need two which would significantly impact the budget. Any ideas on the lighting due to the length of the tank?

I have a 40B, and it's only 36in long.

I don't use a sump either, so I use aquamaxx HOB1. Some would say it's one of the best, if not the best, HOB skimmer.

For a 36in long softies/LPS tank, one kessil (360WE) would be enough. Just arrange your coral according to their lighting needs, high demand in the middle and lesser ones on the side. Or just use a 300w MarsAqua (32in long and $200) and never have to worry about not having enough light for any corals.

I concur with Sk8r, soft corals are pretty easy to maintain. IMO, it's even easier than maintaining a high-light planted tank. Just mix your salt water, adjust the temparature and specific gravity to 1.026 (with a reliable refractometer) and you're good to go.

[bcarl77]

Originally Posted by newbie2014

I have a 40B, and it's only 36in long.

I don't use a sump either, so I use aquamaxx HOB1. Some would say it's one of the best, if not the best, HOB skimmer.

For a 36in long softies/LPS tank, one kessil (360WE) would be enough. Just arrange your coral according to their lighting needs, high demand in the middle and lesser ones on the side. Or just use a 300w MarsAqua (32in long and $200) and never have to worry about not having enough light for any corals.

I concur with Sk8r, soft corals are pretty easy to maintain. IMO, it's even easier than maintaining a high-light planted tank. Just mix your salt water, adjust the temparature and specific gravity to 1.026 (with a reliable refractometer) and you're good to go.

Oh whoops! I must have been looking at a 40L. I think I'd rather stay Softies/LPS since I will be doing the maintenance on both tanks. I agree if I set up the corals more towards the center I should be able to get away with it.

What other dimension tanks around 40gal would be good?

[newbie2014]

Originally Posted by bcarl77

Oh whoops! I must have been looking at a 40L. I think I'd rather stay Softies/LPS since I will be doing the maintenance on both tanks. I agree if I set up the corals more towards the center I should be able to get away with it.

What other dimension tanks around 40gal would be good?

Yeah, trimming those plants can be a pain and time consuming. I had problem early on (after switching from planted tank) with my corals kept dying. I looked very hard at my water chemistry and tried to troubleshoot that. Well, it was the most obvious one: water salinity. Once I corrected it, my softies and LPS have been growing great. I only change 25-30% once a month. I don't supplement any things. There are many beautiful and colorful soft and LPS corals.

Well, if you can find it, a 50B. It's just a bit longer, wider and taller. A 40B is actual about 44 gallon. There are also custom made tanks which are about 40 gallon or less.

If I were to do it again, I would go with a light that has a built-in timer and a tank mount option. Personally I would go with a kessil a360we (and a controller) for the form factor. And I would buy a used one to save money.

Oh, don't forget carbon and GFO reactors. You can go with just one reactor for both media, or one each. IMO, it's a must have for conveniency and maintenance free.

[bcarl77]

Originally Posted by newbie2014

Yeah, trimming those plants can be a pain and time consuming. I had problem early on (after switching from planted tank) with my corals kept dying. I looked very hard at my water chemistry and tried to troubleshoot that. Well, it was the most obvious one: water salinity. Once I corrected it, my softies and LPS have been growing great. I only change 25-30% once a month. I don't supplement any things. There are many beautiful and colorful soft and LPS corals.

Well, if you can find it, a 50B. It's just a bit longer, wider and taller. A 40B is actual about 44 gallon. There are also custom made tanks which are about 40 gallon or less.

If I were to do it again, I would go with a light that has a built-in timer and a tank mount option. Personally I would go with a kessil a360we (and a controller) for the form factor. And I would buy a used one to save money.

Oh, don't forget carbon and GFO reactors. You can go with just one reactor for both media, or one each. IMO, it's a must have for conveniency and maintenance free.

I do about 50% weekly changes on my planted and trimming every week. Got the total weekly maint down to about an hour each weekend.

Newb question, why do I need a reactor? Wouldn't I be fine with a skimmer, HOB, and a wavemaker?