I have posted this in the newbie forum also, but wanted to get some more detailed questions and thought it appropriate here, too.
I had some general questions about finally starting a Saltwater/reef tank. I have a custom built 150 gallon tank with artificial rock walls (permanently attached) on the back and two sides which is set up as a freshwater tank right now. I plan on eventually moving my current Cichlid out and breeding him in an indoor pond setup. Anyways, when I empty this tank it will have about 125 actual gallons of water including the sump wet/dry (which is a 26 gallon Rubbermaid). I plan to remove the wet/dry filter capability and probably just install a Protein Skimmer in the sump. I’m also tossing around the idea of using a spare 55 gallon as the sump (if I can fit it under the tank) and installing the PS in that. Either way, I’ll be pushing about 600 gph through this sump. I already have a Filstar XP-3 that will act as additional filtration if needed (any opinions?). I can add up to two powerheads, one on either side of the front glass for additional water movement. Is this going to be enough water movement for a reef tank? Right now I have the sump pump (600gph) + Filstar (350gph) + 1 powerhead (350gph)for a total of 1100gph, to which I can add one more powerhead (say another 350 or maybe more). So around 1100 to 1500 gph for circulation in a water supply of around 125 to 150 (using the 55 gallon as sump). I’ve got only 220 watts of CF lighting over this tank (which is 24” deep). This lighting has been superb for my FW planted tank, but I’m wondering about it’s ability as reef lighting. It may be possible to add additional lighting in obscure areas of the Hood, but it was custom built to hold this lighting.
Alright, now to what I plan to add. I already have artificial rockwork over three sides of the tank, so this will probably work well to support other rockwork and to use as a starting “wall”. I do plan to buy about 200 lbs of live rock to go into this tank. Probably several different types to maximize coralline algae and other critters. Should I go with pre-cured or not? I hear that you maximize your critters and algae with un-cured, but there can also be problematic creatures hiding. Also I have read that I need to do my own curing for a couple of weeks anyways, because of natural die-back. I plan on using some Limestone I already have (pretty large stones) as some of the base-rock, and maybe I can get away with less actually bought live rock. I also plan to buy some live rock and add this to the top of some other normal sand. Can I use regular playsand, or do I need some other type of marine substrates? I’d like to get a sandbed up to 3 or 4 inches ( I have heard many debates about the usefulness of different substrate ideas, but please discuss with me any of my options with at least a minimum of 2 inches of sand or more. I do not want to mess with a plenum or such, just straight substrate. Ok I can probably add some sand to my sump as well, to keep a safe area for additional life and as a refugium. I can add lighting below my tank for the refugium also, but don’t want it to be extremely intense.
As for inhabitants, I would like to try some of the easier soft and maybe some hard corals. I don’t want anything that is very sensitive and difficult to grow. Also, remember that I don’t have the most intense light for a reef tank, so the low to moderate light requirements is probably appropriate. Any ideas on corals would be great. Please list some that are easy to locate. Oh, by the way, something I read recently was about deepwater corals, that don’t have zoozanthella and don’t require any light, but are still extremely bright red. You have to worry more about direct feeding these corals, but that would be worth it to get something as interesting. Ok, now for fish…..here goes! I know this is going to be the tough one, but I’m sure it’s possible if someone knows how to set up and mix fish with it. I’ve been wanting a Porcupine Puffer for a long time as a “showpiece personality pet”. I know they tend to be a bit aggressive and can tear through some inverts, but is there a way to mix them with corals and a few of these other fish? The other fish I’m interested in are: Sailfin Algae Blennie, maybe 2 Ocellaris Clownfish, and perhaps a Blue or Yellow Tang? Alright I looked at a compatibility chart for these fish (generic, I know), and all of these fish seem to be compatible, with a “caution” listed for Puffers with Corals. Now to be honest, I’m not interested in the Clowns without a coral to hide in. I’m not interested in any fish that are obviously going to be huge problems. I had previously wanted to just house a single Puffer in this tank with just live rock, but I really like the look and want to try my hand at corals too. I also am interested in these other fish. This setup is going to be a showpiece (it actually already is a planted showpiece in my living room) so I wanted a change of scenery that would be beautiful and have some fish with personality. Any other info would be great, thanks for listening.
I had some general questions about finally starting a Saltwater/reef tank. I have a custom built 150 gallon tank with artificial rock walls (permanently attached) on the back and two sides which is set up as a freshwater tank right now. I plan on eventually moving my current Cichlid out and breeding him in an indoor pond setup. Anyways, when I empty this tank it will have about 125 actual gallons of water including the sump wet/dry (which is a 26 gallon Rubbermaid). I plan to remove the wet/dry filter capability and probably just install a Protein Skimmer in the sump. I’m also tossing around the idea of using a spare 55 gallon as the sump (if I can fit it under the tank) and installing the PS in that. Either way, I’ll be pushing about 600 gph through this sump. I already have a Filstar XP-3 that will act as additional filtration if needed (any opinions?). I can add up to two powerheads, one on either side of the front glass for additional water movement. Is this going to be enough water movement for a reef tank? Right now I have the sump pump (600gph) + Filstar (350gph) + 1 powerhead (350gph)for a total of 1100gph, to which I can add one more powerhead (say another 350 or maybe more). So around 1100 to 1500 gph for circulation in a water supply of around 125 to 150 (using the 55 gallon as sump). I’ve got only 220 watts of CF lighting over this tank (which is 24” deep). This lighting has been superb for my FW planted tank, but I’m wondering about it’s ability as reef lighting. It may be possible to add additional lighting in obscure areas of the Hood, but it was custom built to hold this lighting.
Alright, now to what I plan to add. I already have artificial rockwork over three sides of the tank, so this will probably work well to support other rockwork and to use as a starting “wall”. I do plan to buy about 200 lbs of live rock to go into this tank. Probably several different types to maximize coralline algae and other critters. Should I go with pre-cured or not? I hear that you maximize your critters and algae with un-cured, but there can also be problematic creatures hiding. Also I have read that I need to do my own curing for a couple of weeks anyways, because of natural die-back. I plan on using some Limestone I already have (pretty large stones) as some of the base-rock, and maybe I can get away with less actually bought live rock. I also plan to buy some live rock and add this to the top of some other normal sand. Can I use regular playsand, or do I need some other type of marine substrates? I’d like to get a sandbed up to 3 or 4 inches ( I have heard many debates about the usefulness of different substrate ideas, but please discuss with me any of my options with at least a minimum of 2 inches of sand or more. I do not want to mess with a plenum or such, just straight substrate. Ok I can probably add some sand to my sump as well, to keep a safe area for additional life and as a refugium. I can add lighting below my tank for the refugium also, but don’t want it to be extremely intense.
As for inhabitants, I would like to try some of the easier soft and maybe some hard corals. I don’t want anything that is very sensitive and difficult to grow. Also, remember that I don’t have the most intense light for a reef tank, so the low to moderate light requirements is probably appropriate. Any ideas on corals would be great. Please list some that are easy to locate. Oh, by the way, something I read recently was about deepwater corals, that don’t have zoozanthella and don’t require any light, but are still extremely bright red. You have to worry more about direct feeding these corals, but that would be worth it to get something as interesting. Ok, now for fish…..here goes! I know this is going to be the tough one, but I’m sure it’s possible if someone knows how to set up and mix fish with it. I’ve been wanting a Porcupine Puffer for a long time as a “showpiece personality pet”. I know they tend to be a bit aggressive and can tear through some inverts, but is there a way to mix them with corals and a few of these other fish? The other fish I’m interested in are: Sailfin Algae Blennie, maybe 2 Ocellaris Clownfish, and perhaps a Blue or Yellow Tang? Alright I looked at a compatibility chart for these fish (generic, I know), and all of these fish seem to be compatible, with a “caution” listed for Puffers with Corals. Now to be honest, I’m not interested in the Clowns without a coral to hide in. I’m not interested in any fish that are obviously going to be huge problems. I had previously wanted to just house a single Puffer in this tank with just live rock, but I really like the look and want to try my hand at corals too. I also am interested in these other fish. This setup is going to be a showpiece (it actually already is a planted showpiece in my living room) so I wanted a change of scenery that would be beautiful and have some fish with personality. Any other info would be great, thanks for listening.
