So, I posted another thread about starting up a 29 gallon nano-reef, but couldn't get the okay from my dad. Now, he said yes to switching my 75 gallon freshwater community tank(angels, a discus, asorted other fish) to a reef tank. I have a 4 bulb T5HO fixture(with digital timer, and individual reflectors), and a 2 bulb T5HO fixture over the tank. I, also, have a 5 stage canister filter, an emporer 400 filter, a marineland submersible heater, glass lids, a blue/black background, and two 250? penguin powerheads, with pre-filter sponges on them. Right now, there is eco-complete planted tank substrate on the bottom, plastic plants, and three big pieces of driftwood, as decoration. I've ordered 3, 40lb. bags of crushed coral, and 2, 40lb. bags of 1mm to 2mm aragonite, for the plenum. Also, I've ordered two protein skimmers rated for 75 gallons each(The 160 gallon rated one was out of stock, but I figure these will fit better, anyway.)I ordered a refractometer, and 2, 200 gallon mix boxes of reef crystals, some kalkwasser, and 3 actinic bulbs, and 3, 1200K bulbs, to replace the plant bulbs I have in there, now. Now(Whew!), my question: Is it possible to have a reef tank, with soft corals, (mushrooms, leathers, zoanthids, etc.), without RO/DI, and with the equipment that I have, now? I'll be honest, the protein skimmers, UV sterilizer, and lights are from Aquatraders.com, and the canister filter is Jebo, off of Ebay. I plan to buy 45lbs. of premium, and 45lbs. of standard live rock from Liveaquaria.com. I, sort of, planned to buy a couple of 1050 evolution koralia's, after I buy the live rock, after I save up a little. I've had salt tanks, before, but back when undergravel filters were still popular, no skimmer, and shop lights(I think they were T8's but can't be sure). I've read a ton of material, online, magazines, books, pamphlets, and feel confident that I know enough to get by, but still need tons of advice. Before I spend thousands of dollars on live stock, and countless headaches, is it even possible? I've been in the hobby for over 20 years, but mostly freshwater. Please, please, please tell me it can be done. There's no way for RO/DI, my lfs doesn't sell water, distilled water is out of the question. I use well water, and it's hard, and alkaline, PH is high.
Thanks.
Thanks.