Starting a 50 gallon Reef Tank

BrianO · 05/10/2006, 06:46 PM

I am looking to start a reef tank. I have done FO tanks in the past.

I am starting out with a 50 gal tank. What other equipment would you suggest for one starting out. I know everyone has their favorites but I am looking for some pointers on where to start first.

Thanks
Brian

Brenden · 05/10/2006, 06:55 PM

Do you mean equipment needed to upgrade from a FO? What types of corals do you want?

BrianO · 05/10/2006, 07:04 PM

I will be starting new. I sold my tanks when we moved from Florida to Tennessee. They were FO tanks so reef tanks is completely new to me.

I will probably start out basic zoo, mushrooms, xenia, anemones, etc.

Brenden · 05/10/2006, 07:24 PM

75-100 lbs of LR, a skimmer, at least 5 WPG of light for the anemone, 2 heaters (redundancy) A sump is a good idea. Do sand or BB for substrate. I would stay away from CC. 750-1000 GPH of water flow.

BrianO · 05/10/2006, 07:26 PM

thanks for the tips

Amy83820 · 05/10/2006, 08:29 PM

You'll need to wait a year for the anenome. They are very demanding and need a stable tank and some pretty intense lighting. You should be ok with everything else you want...

BrianO · 05/10/2006, 08:47 PM

ok thanks Amy.

dermer · 05/10/2006, 09:18 PM

get lots of lr 100 plus lb a good protien skimmer a couple power heads i run 2 marine land 330 filters cus i dont have a sump and my system is going great and has been up for 5 months or so i also have a bta that is thriving and has all ready split once so to me that means it is oing just fine i do have mh 10,000k lighting though and that is the key to it all it the lighting and the flow

05/10/2006, 06:46 PM	#1
BrianO Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 79	Starting a 50 gallon Reef Tank I am looking to start a reef tank. I have done FO tanks in the past. I am starting out with a 50 gal tank. What other equipment would you suggest for one starting out. I know everyone has their favorites but I am looking for some pointers on where to start first. Thanks Brian

05/10/2006, 07:04 PM	#3
BrianO Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 79	I will be starting new. I sold my tanks when we moved from Florida to Tennessee. They were FO tanks so reef tanks is completely new to me. I will probably start out basic zoo, mushrooms, xenia, anemones, etc. __________________ 120 Gallon - 2 MP40wQD's, 3 AI Hydra 26 HD's, Bubble Magus Curve Elite 7 Skimmer, Mag 12 return pump.

05/10/2006, 07:26 PM	#5
BrianO Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 79	thanks for the tips __________________ 120 Gallon - 2 MP40wQD's, 3 AI Hydra 26 HD's, Bubble Magus Curve Elite 7 Skimmer, Mag 12 return pump.

05/10/2006, 08:29 PM	#6
Amy83820 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wentzville, MO Posts: 626	You'll need to wait a year for the anenome. They are very demanding and need a stable tank and some pretty intense lighting. You should be ok with everything else you want... __________________ I'm consistently torn between wanting to know more about your life and just waiting to see it on "Cops." Current Tank Info: 90 gallons o' salty goodness

05/10/2006, 08:47 PM	#7
BrianO Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 79	ok thanks Amy. __________________ 120 Gallon - 2 MP40wQD's, 3 AI Hydra 26 HD's, Bubble Magus Curve Elite 7 Skimmer, Mag 12 return pump.

05/10/2006, 06:55 PM	#2
Brenden Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Piedmont, NC Posts: 224	Do you mean equipment needed to upgrade from a FO? What types of corals do you want?

05/10/2006, 07:24 PM	#4
Brenden Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Piedmont, NC Posts: 224	75-100 lbs of LR, a skimmer, at least 5 WPG of light for the anemone, 2 heaters (redundancy) A sump is a good idea. Do sand or BB for substrate. I would stay away from CC. 750-1000 GPH of water flow.

05/10/2006, 09:18 PM	#8
dermer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 523	get lots of lr 100 plus lb a good protien skimmer a couple power heads i run 2 marine land 330 filters cus i dont have a sump and my system is going great and has been up for 5 months or so i also have a bta that is thriving and has all ready split once so to me that means it is oing just fine i do have mh 10,000k lighting though and that is the key to it all it the lighting and the flow