Starting a reef?

PhilOlsen · 10-26-2006, 08:25 AM

I have had several fowler tanks and have picked up a 38 gal, drilled tank with a 29 gal sump to make my first reef tank. The sump is behind the display and is set up with plumbing and 1 baffle just off center and 2 mj 1200's for return mounted in the display. it has a 110 watt compact fixture that I need to get bulbs for. Just looking for tips and ideas of easy to care for corals and reef friendly fish, I am thinking about a clown, a royal gramma and maybe a flame angel. I also need to know about suppliments etc. My fowlers have done incredible but as I mentioned this is my first reef.

lcstorc · 10-26-2006, 08:40 AM

Welcome to the addiction we call reefing, LOL
One big question and one comment to start.
What type of corals do you like? With pc lighting you will be limiting yourself pretty much to soft corals. No anemones no clams etc as these are high light animals. As to what you can likely keep, personally I have had great luck with mushrooms. There are also quite a few corals including most gorgonians that do not require much if any light at all so those are definitely in the possible cattegory, The large tree looking think in the middls of the tank is actually a gorgonain though they come in many varities. I have not had good luck with the yellow with red spots and white polyps variety, but that could well be an issue with ny tank, LOL
Finally be carefule any angel, Generally speaking angels nip corals. The flame has one of the better reputations as does the flameback I have,

Any angel should be treated with caution in a reef, unfortunately it seems to be particular animals and they have been known to play nice for a long time then suddenly decide they want some coral for breakfast.
Best of luck.

flyline · 10-26-2006, 02:40 PM

i have a 20 gal with a 10 gal sump and i dont add any suppliments besides a buffer i just do a 3 gal water change once a week and every thing seems to be doing great. hope this helps you

blue_eyes53813 · 10-26-2006, 03:06 PM

No supplements are needed, just scheduled water changes for trace elements.. You will need to keep trakc of calcium if you start to do sps like acros.. but in the mean time water changes will do. Zooanthids are very easy to care for and popular..

PhilOlsen · 10-26-2006, 03:22 PM

What kind of light can I use that would be better? Can I use compacts or do I have to go MH?

BoomerD · 10-26-2006, 06:22 PM

Lighting all depends on what you want to keep. Soft corals (most) will do ok with power compacts. SPS and clams will either need MH or banks of T-5's to do well.

razz · 10-27-2006, 07:12 PM

good luck bro,u seem to have the right selection for fish but might think about adding a tang in the mix for algea control..
also agree with others that soft corals,mushrooms ect. are great to start with and advance from there..

PhilOlsen · 10-27-2006, 07:19 PM

My concern is putting a tang in that small of a tank. I was planning on crabs, snails ans shrimp for the clean up job.

razz · 10-27-2006, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhilOlsen

My concern is putting a tang in that small of a tank. I was planning on crabs, snails ans shrimp for the clean up job.

ya i see ur concern but a 38g plus sump will be fine for 1 as long as you dont plan to add much more than allready mentioned..i had 2 tangs in a 55gal for years with np..just buy him small and watch him grow

lcstorc · 10-29-2006, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhilOlsen

My concern is putting a tang in that small of a tank. I was planning on crabs, snails ans shrimp for the clean up job.

I totally agree. i would not put a tang in that size tank. Just not enough swimming room IMO. I am also not however a fan of crabs. Yes they eat lots of waste, but they can/will also eat your snails and even slower fish etc. Some crabs even snack on some corals but that depends on the type of crab and type of coral etc. I uses snails, shrimp, skimmer, and weekly waterchanges.

10-26-2006, 08:25 AM	#1 (permalink)
PhilOlsen Has been struck by the ban stick Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Glendale Hts. Illinois (Chicago transplant to humor my wife) Posts: 646 View Gallery Karma Komment	Starting a reef? I have had several fowler tanks and have picked up a 38 gal, drilled tank with a 29 gal sump to make my first reef tank. The sump is behind the display and is set up with plumbing and 1 baffle just off center and 2 mj 1200's for return mounted in the display. it has a 110 watt compact fixture that I need to get bulbs for. Just looking for tips and ideas of easy to care for corals and reef friendly fish, I am thinking about a clown, a royal gramma and maybe a flame angel. I also need to know about suppliments etc. My fowlers have done incredible but as I mentioned this is my first reef.

10-26-2006, 08:40 AM	#2 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 26,433 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Starting a reef? Welcome to the addiction we call reefing, LOL One big question and one comment to start. What type of corals do you like? With pc lighting you will be limiting yourself pretty much to soft corals. No anemones no clams etc as these are high light animals. As to what you can likely keep, personally I have had great luck with mushrooms. There are also quite a few corals including most gorgonians that do not require much if any light at all so those are definitely in the possible cattegory, The large tree looking think in the middls of the tank is actually a gorgonain though they come in many varities. I have not had good luck with the yellow with red spots and white polyps variety, but that could well be an issue with ny tank, LOL Finally be carefule any angel, Generally speaking angels nip corals. The flame has one of the better reputations as does the flameback I have, Any angel should be treated with caution in a reef, unfortunately it seems to be particular animals and they have been known to play nice for a long time then suddenly decide they want some coral for breakfast. Best of luck. __________________ Peace LYNN Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Lynn's frag tank experiment A reef tank is like a race car. The faster you go the harder you crash. Last edited by lcstorc : 10-27-2006 at 12:14 AM.

10-26-2006, 02:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
flyline Midas Blenny Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: victorville ca Posts: 122 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Starting a reef? i have a 20 gal with a 10 gal sump and i dont add any suppliments besides a buffer i just do a 3 gal water change once a week and every thing seems to be doing great. hope this helps you

10-26-2006, 03:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
blue_eyes53813 Hey!Its not my fault Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lancaster, Wisconsin Posts: 8,024 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Starting a reef? No supplements are needed, just scheduled water changes for trace elements.. You will need to keep trakc of calcium if you start to do sps like acros.. but in the mean time water changes will do. Zooanthids are very easy to care for and popular.. __________________ 265 Gallon Reef built into basement wall. Lighting = 6x250 watts MH, 2x96 watt PC ,and 2x140 watt VHO for a total watt of 1,972 watts . New addition on 4-14-07 of 100 gallon sump and 100 gallon refugium. I think I have lost my mind. Gotta love this hobby Vicki Life is like a pathway of untrodden snow. Be careful how you step in it for every mark will show Definition of FRIENDSHIP: All lives touch other lives to create something new and alive My tank chronicles. http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...wall-reef.html

10-26-2006, 03:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
PhilOlsen Has been struck by the ban stick Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Glendale Hts. Illinois (Chicago transplant to humor my wife) Posts: 646 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Starting a reef? What kind of light can I use that would be better? Can I use compacts or do I have to go MH?

10-26-2006, 06:22 PM	#6 (permalink)
BoomerD Reef Shark Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 5,638 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Starting a reef? Lighting all depends on what you want to keep. Soft corals (most) will do ok with power compacts. SPS and clams will either need MH or banks of T-5's to do well. __________________ Intelligence is not knowing all the answers, but knowing where and how to find them! www.google.com

10-27-2006, 07:12 PM	#7 (permalink)
razz Limpet Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 125 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Starting a reef? good luck bro,u seem to have the right selection for fish but might think about adding a tang in the mix for algea control.. also agree with others that soft corals,mushrooms ect. are great to start with and advance from there..

10-27-2006, 07:19 PM	#8 (permalink)
PhilOlsen Has been struck by the ban stick Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Glendale Hts. Illinois (Chicago transplant to humor my wife) Posts: 646 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Starting a reef? My concern is putting a tang in that small of a tank. I was planning on crabs, snails ans shrimp for the clean up job.

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