About to start soon....

Rogue97gtp · 12-23-2007, 01:56 PM

I have a 30 gal tank sitting and waiting for me to get started on it. I have decided to go with a FOWLR setup for now then move up to a reef system as I upgrade the tank. I currently have a whisper power filter right now and will be working on getting the rest (protein skimmer, heater, etc.). Would the whisper be a good starting point or should I start looking into something else like a cannister system? Any advice on getting it started will be greatly appreciated.

PEMfish · 12-23-2007, 07:10 PM

Dump the whisper. Don't touch a canister. Get a really good protein skimmer. And read read read. As far as upgrading, don't. Just go all the way now, and add corals when you feel ready. This will save you money, you won't have to buy more lights, etc.. You will need about 150w of lights, either T5 or PC are good. Both daylight and antic.

PEMfish · 12-23-2007, 07:17 PM

What do you want to keep? Having this planed out will help. You will also need;
-Test kits ( nitrite, nitrate, Alk., Mg., Ca. )
-Supplements
-Heater
-Power heads
-Buckets
-DO/DI purifier
-Maintenance tools
-Salt ( Instant ocean is a good salt for a good price, just avoid Petco )
And I would strongly recommend a sump.

lcstorc · 12-23-2007, 07:23 PM

Welcome to RS!
I think a sump on a 30g is not for most people. It would be great but just being realistic. I would use the whisper with floss and carbon. Your main filtration should be your LR and your skimmer. Aqua C Remora is a good HOB skimmer for that size tank.
Depending on what you want to keep you will probably need a couple of small powerheads to keep things moving around.
If you want clams or an anemone or any hard coral then go with either MH or T5 lights with individual reflectors. If you just want fish and soft coral then PC lights or T5 would be fine.

PEMfish · 12-23-2007, 08:35 PM

I have a sump on my 10g. Just remember to replace everything in the filters weekly if keep them.

Rogue97gtp · 12-23-2007, 10:46 PM

A sump is not an option at this moment. Thanks for the advice. I am moving in on this slowly so I wont be overwhelmed with everything. I have done FW (both tropical and cichlids) for a long time and have gotten bored with it and decided to move on to something a little more challenging and rewarding.

lcstorc · 12-25-2007, 05:42 PM

Just keep in mind that the most important rule in reefkeeping is to go slow. Good things do not happen quickly in a reef.

Rogue97gtp · 12-25-2007, 09:27 PM

Thanks Lynn. I am definitely going to take my time at it. Once I get it set up I will definitely post pics. Getting tired of looking at this empty tank in my office, time to start doing something with it! lol

lcstorc · 12-26-2007, 03:27 PM

LOL I have just spent 5 months staring at a tank with nothing but rocks. I posted pics and everything.

Rogue97gtp · 12-27-2007, 09:26 PM

LOL... well at least you had something IN the tank besides JUNK!! I am about to buy the USA Current NOVA Extreme HO 36" 4X39w lights. Comes with 3 moonlight leds with it. I think that would be a good purchase. I did purchase the PS75 protein skimmer. Read a bunch of good things about that particular one in other forums. This particular one will hang on the back of the tank which is what I need since my little girl is still curious about a lot of things and will probably get into a sump or knock over the skimmer if sitting on the floor. Planning on investing in a larger tank in the future and will have a sump in a LOCKED cabinet.

PEMfish · 12-28-2007, 12:07 PM

IMO, Current is a 'budget' brand. Meaning low quality. Coralife is good.

lcstorc · 12-30-2007, 09:35 AM

Well for what it is worth I am having great luck with my 2 Nova Extremes. One is on my 20g and one is on my 90g.
I think that light would be just fine. The only thing I would worry about at all would be clams and/or anemones. If you want those then I would go with a fixture with individual reflectors or get a retro kit and put it in your own hood.

Rogue97gtp · 01-01-2008, 02:28 PM

Ok will do. I have already purchased the light so it is on its way. Anemones are nice but I am not dying to get one at this time anyways so it is no big deal plus it would take at least a year for me to have the tank ready for one anyways. I plan on starting another tank sometime in the future so I will probably get MH lights for the next tank. Thanks for the advice. Once I get the tank going I will post pictures and keep everything updated in the Chronicles.

12-23-2007, 01:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
Rogue97gtp Tunicate Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ellerslie, GA Posts: 16 View Gallery Karma Komment	About to start soon.... I have a 30 gal tank sitting and waiting for me to get started on it. I have decided to go with a FOWLR setup for now then move up to a reef system as I upgrade the tank. I currently have a whisper power filter right now and will be working on getting the rest (protein skimmer, heater, etc.). Would the whisper be a good starting point or should I start looking into something else like a cannister system? Any advice on getting it started will be greatly appreciated.

12-23-2007, 07:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
PEMfish Golden Moray Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kane Co. Il. Posts: 2,461 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: About to start soon.... Dump the whisper. Don't touch a canister. Get a really good protein skimmer. And read read read. As far as upgrading, don't. Just go all the way now, and add corals when you feel ready. This will save you money, you won't have to buy more lights, etc.. You will need about 150w of lights, either T5 or PC are good. Both daylight and antic. __________________ Paul `EM My new 48" reef tank; http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-opciones.html My new planted; http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-planted.html# Make it idiot-proof and someone will make a better idiot. I'll make the whole damn world jealous if given the money to do so. Don't make mistakes and learn from them, read and learn how to avoid mistakes. a)Fix the damn problem b)live with it -But absolutely no b*tching

12-23-2007, 07:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
PEMfish Golden Moray Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kane Co. Il. Posts: 2,461 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: About to start soon.... What do you want to keep? Having this planed out will help. You will also need; -Test kits ( nitrite, nitrate, Alk., Mg., Ca. ) -Supplements -Heater -Power heads -Buckets -DO/DI purifier -Maintenance tools -Salt ( Instant ocean is a good salt for a good price, just avoid Petco ) And I would strongly recommend a sump. __________________ Paul `EM My new 48" reef tank; http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-opciones.html My new planted; http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-planted.html# Make it idiot-proof and someone will make a better idiot. I'll make the whole damn world jealous if given the money to do so. Don't make mistakes and learn from them, read and learn how to avoid mistakes. a)Fix the damn problem b)live with it -But absolutely no b*tching

12-23-2007, 07:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 20,982 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: About to start soon.... Welcome to RS! I think a sump on a 30g is not for most people. It would be great but just being realistic. I would use the whisper with floss and carbon. Your main filtration should be your LR and your skimmer. Aqua C Remora is a good HOB skimmer for that size tank. Depending on what you want to keep you will probably need a couple of small powerheads to keep things moving around. If you want clams or an anemone or any hard coral then go with either MH or T5 lights with individual reflectors. If you just want fish and soft coral then PC lights or T5 would be fine. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. In Loving Memory Of Z 01/22/07 - 08/19/08

12-23-2007, 08:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
PEMfish Golden Moray Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kane Co. Il. Posts: 2,461 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: About to start soon.... I have a sump on my 10g. Just remember to replace everything in the filters weekly if keep them. __________________ Paul `EM My new 48" reef tank; http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-opciones.html My new planted; http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-planted.html# Make it idiot-proof and someone will make a better idiot. I'll make the whole damn world jealous if given the money to do so. Don't make mistakes and learn from them, read and learn how to avoid mistakes. a)Fix the damn problem b)live with it -But absolutely no b*tching

12-23-2007, 10:46 PM	#6 (permalink)
Rogue97gtp Tunicate Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ellerslie, GA Posts: 16 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: About to start soon.... A sump is not an option at this moment. Thanks for the advice. I am moving in on this slowly so I wont be overwhelmed with everything. I have done FW (both tropical and cichlids) for a long time and have gotten bored with it and decided to move on to something a little more challenging and rewarding.

12-25-2007, 05:42 PM	#7 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 20,982 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: About to start soon.... Just keep in mind that the most important rule in reefkeeping is to go slow. Good things do not happen quickly in a reef. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. In Loving Memory Of Z 01/22/07 - 08/19/08

12-25-2007, 09:27 PM	#8 (permalink)
Rogue97gtp Tunicate Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ellerslie, GA Posts: 16 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: About to start soon.... Thanks Lynn. I am definitely going to take my time at it. Once I get it set up I will definitely post pics. Getting tired of looking at this empty tank in my office, time to start doing something with it! lol

12-26-2007, 03:27 PM	#9 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 20,982 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: About to start soon.... LOL I have just spent 5 months staring at a tank with nothing but rocks. I posted pics and everything. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. In Loving Memory Of Z 01/22/07 - 08/19/08

12-27-2007, 09:26 PM	#10 (permalink)
Rogue97gtp Tunicate Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ellerslie, GA Posts: 16 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: About to start soon.... LOL... well at least you had something IN the tank besides JUNK!! I am about to buy the USA Current NOVA Extreme HO 36" 4X39w lights. Comes with 3 moonlight leds with it. I think that would be a good purchase. I did purchase the PS75 protein skimmer. Read a bunch of good things about that particular one in other forums. This particular one will hang on the back of the tank which is what I need since my little girl is still curious about a lot of things and will probably get into a sump or knock over the skimmer if sitting on the floor. Planning on investing in a larger tank in the future and will have a sump in a LOCKED cabinet.

12-28-2007, 12:07 PM	#11 (permalink)
PEMfish Golden Moray Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kane Co. Il. Posts: 2,461 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: About to start soon.... IMO, Current is a 'budget' brand. Meaning low quality. Coralife is good. __________________ Paul `EM My new 48" reef tank; http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-opciones.html My new planted; http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-planted.html# Make it idiot-proof and someone will make a better idiot. I'll make the whole damn world jealous if given the money to do so. Don't make mistakes and learn from them, read and learn how to avoid mistakes. a)Fix the damn problem b)live with it -But absolutely no b*tching

12-30-2007, 09:35 AM	#12 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 20,982 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: About to start soon.... Well for what it is worth I am having great luck with my 2 Nova Extremes. One is on my 20g and one is on my 90g. I think that light would be just fine. The only thing I would worry about at all would be clams and/or anemones. If you want those then I would go with a fixture with individual reflectors or get a retro kit and put it in your own hood. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. In Loving Memory Of Z 01/22/07 - 08/19/08

01-01-2008, 02:28 PM	#13 (permalink)
Rogue97gtp Tunicate Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ellerslie, GA Posts: 16 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: About to start soon.... Ok will do. I have already purchased the light so it is on its way. Anemones are nice but I am not dying to get one at this time anyways so it is no big deal plus it would take at least a year for me to have the tank ready for one anyways. I plan on starting another tank sometime in the future so I will probably get MH lights for the next tank. Thanks for the advice. Once I get the tank going I will post pictures and keep everything updated in the Chronicles. __________________ Brandon 30g tank (up and running in a month or two... stay tuned...)

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