new to the reef life need info

burntfish · 03-09-2008, 05:12 AM

Hey whats up, I have been keeping fresh fish for 25+ years and I want to get into the reef life. I live in a small town in Colorado so pet stores are a little drive for me. What I am wanting is a reef tank setup with some easy to start with fish and corral. Here is what I have come up with as a plan so far. I have a 50gal long, building a stand and canopy, lighting I'm looking at is 48" t5 w/moon lights 216 watt from the pet place, filter is a wet/dry w/skimmer 800gph from aquatic connections, 2-230gph power heads, 950gph water pump, 2-titanium 300watt heaters, master test kit, instant ocean salt mix, the package from Tampa bay saltwater that includes live sand 55lbs, live rock 110lbs, 55 blue hermits, 28 snails, 2 stars, 2 cucumbers, 2 shrimp all shipped in salt water for $690.00. There is other ods and ends I'm forgetting but this is most of what I need to get started. What I'm looking for is the goods, bads and uglies of my list and if you can tell me the best place to get what I need. I am looking at the diy stuff to take some of the set up cost down. Any help would be great.

Anselth · 03-09-2008, 06:04 AM

I've never used one, but a lot of folks say to avoid a wet/dry filter. You should be able to DIY a sump for your tank instead, depending on the interior dimensions of your stand. As far as a pump goes, ensure that your overflow can handle what it puts up. Check out this link: Reef Central Online Community to figure out what kind of pump to use on your return.

As far as the livestock, this is the only issue I have with "The Package" from TB Saltwater, but this is based on my personal preference. Personally, I avoid hermits, too many horror stories of them munching on snails and corals. Also, Tiger tail cukes can grow to 2' in length, depending on the species, I had one in my 50 and it was plenty.

BigAl07 · 03-09-2008, 10:19 AM

First off Hello

and Welcome to RS!

Also welcome to Reefing! It's a BLAST!!!

Congrats on jumping into this aspect of the hobby. It's nothing like Fresh Water although it would seem to be similar from the outside. It's not but it's WELL worth the hassles and investment! I wouldn't go back for anything!

#1 Is your tank drilled (Reef Ready)?

#2 Since you're building the stand be SURE to allow for a LOT more room than you think you'll EVER need... you'll need it and more!! We like our "Stuff" under our tanks!!

#3 Say NO to We/Dry... That incorporates BioBalls or BioMedia.... your Live Rock and Live Sand will be your biological filtration system once the tank is cycled and stable.

#4 Go to Newbies, a little something on cycling/breaking in a new reef tank. and learn the Nitrogen Cycle. You'll want to be intimately familiar with it because it's part of every aspect of SW tanks. The more you know about it now the better off you, your tank and your WALLER will be in the long run.

#5 When you go looking for your skimmer get one that's rated for significantly more than your tank. I'd be looking for something in the 150+ range. It goes a long way to helping you be successful in the Reef Tank.

Good luck and again Welcome to RS

SJS · 03-09-2008, 12:17 PM

My 2 cents would be to avoid the "package" - not really economical and probably too many crabs etc.. for the initial set up. Also cukes and stars aren't great in a start up. Cukes can give off a toxin if they die. Stars need an established bed to sustain themselves. Use the ideas from the packages but cut back on what they tell you and buy only what you need. You will need to replace - and add more, but after a few months. Also your cuc shouldn't be in the tank while the rock/sand cycle..... There are lots of online stores - I've had good luck with marinedepot(live), drfostersmith, to name two big ones. Check out heir sites and others to see what they recommend for a clean up crew...
Welcome to RS!!

burntfish · 03-09-2008, 02:37 PM

This is what I love about forums you get the best criticism about the things you want to be told all in a super nice way. Thank you for the info. I was leading towards a diy sump/refug. That is great to know about not wanting all the extra junk from TBS. Please keep it coming it helps so much.

To drill or not to drill, my tank is not drilled.
I plan on making a way to big stand.
If not tbs where to get live s/r

03-09-2008, 05:12 AM	#1 (permalink)
burntfish Tunicate Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Ouray, Co Posts: 7 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	new to the reef life need info Hey whats up, I have been keeping fresh fish for 25+ years and I want to get into the reef life. I live in a small town in Colorado so pet stores are a little drive for me. What I am wanting is a reef tank setup with some easy to start with fish and corral. Here is what I have come up with as a plan so far. I have a 50gal long, building a stand and canopy, lighting I'm looking at is 48" t5 w/moon lights 216 watt from the pet place, filter is a wet/dry w/skimmer 800gph from aquatic connections, 2-230gph power heads, 950gph water pump, 2-titanium 300watt heaters, master test kit, instant ocean salt mix, the package from Tampa bay saltwater that includes live sand 55lbs, live rock 110lbs, 55 blue hermits, 28 snails, 2 stars, 2 cucumbers, 2 shrimp all shipped in salt water for $690.00. There is other ods and ends I'm forgetting but this is most of what I need to get started. What I'm looking for is the goods, bads and uglies of my list and if you can tell me the best place to get what I need. I am looking at the diy stuff to take some of the set up cost down. Any help would be great.

03-09-2008, 06:04 AM	#2 (permalink)
Anselth Plate Coral Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: South Jersey Posts: 757 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: new to the reef life need info I've never used one, but a lot of folks say to avoid a wet/dry filter. You should be able to DIY a sump for your tank instead, depending on the interior dimensions of your stand. As far as a pump goes, ensure that your overflow can handle what it puts up. Check out this link: Reef Central Online Community to figure out what kind of pump to use on your return. As far as the livestock, this is the only issue I have with "The Package" from TB Saltwater, but this is based on my personal preference. Personally, I avoid hermits, too many horror stories of them munching on snails and corals. Also, Tiger tail cukes can grow to 2' in length, depending on the species, I had one in my 50 and it was plenty. __________________ -Adam Learning on the fly My 70 Gallon Reef My 110 Gallon Build

03-09-2008, 10:19 AM	#3 (permalink)
BigAl07 Reef Addict (hopeless) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 8,843 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: new to the reef life need info First off Hello and Welcome to RS! Also welcome to Reefing! It's a BLAST!!! Congrats on jumping into this aspect of the hobby. It's nothing like Fresh Water although it would seem to be similar from the outside. It's not but it's WELL worth the hassles and investment! I wouldn't go back for anything! #1 Is your tank drilled (Reef Ready)? #2 Since you're building the stand be SURE to allow for a LOT more room than you think you'll EVER need... you'll need it and more!! We like our "Stuff" under our tanks!! #3 Say NO to We/Dry... That incorporates BioBalls or BioMedia.... your Live Rock and Live Sand will be your biological filtration system once the tank is cycled and stable. #4 Go to Newbies, a little something on cycling/breaking in a new reef tank. and learn the Nitrogen Cycle. You'll want to be intimately familiar with it because it's part of every aspect of SW tanks. The more you know about it now the better off you, your tank and your WALLER will be in the long run. #5 When you go looking for your skimmer get one that's rated for significantly more than your tank. I'd be looking for something in the 150+ range. It goes a long way to helping you be successful in the Reef Tank. Good luck and again Welcome to RS __________________ Allen Allen's testimonial . . ."Let Me help you help YOURSELF" (Click Here) with a SW set up there is one basic fundamental rule that we ALL should follow *When in doubt... wait it out. This means take it slow and let the tank "develop" and don't rush it. Time is your friend Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube Reef Balls & Cakes Debt Free & Change your Family Tree!!

03-09-2008, 12:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
SJS Neon dottyback Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: SO CAL - Rancho Cucamonga Posts: 607 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: new to the reef life need info My 2 cents would be to avoid the "package" - not really economical and probably too many crabs etc.. for the initial set up. Also cukes and stars aren't great in a start up. Cukes can give off a toxin if they die. Stars need an established bed to sustain themselves. Use the ideas from the packages but cut back on what they tell you and buy only what you need. You will need to replace - and add more, but after a few months. Also your cuc shouldn't be in the tank while the rock/sand cycle..... There are lots of online stores - I've had good luck with marinedepot(live), drfostersmith, to name two big ones. Check out heir sites and others to see what they recommend for a clean up crew... Welcome to RS!! __________________ Steph Dream like you're going to live forever, Live like tomorrow is your last day... 300 gallon dt, 90 gallon fuge, 35 gallon fuge, 35 gallon sump. T-5 lights (\_/) This is Bunny. Bunny and his family ( . .) have now invaded my backyard. If Bunny keeps c(")(") eating my veggie garden he will be evicted in a safe and humane way!!!

03-09-2008, 02:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
burntfish Tunicate Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Ouray, Co Posts: 7 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: new to the reef life need info This is what I love about forums you get the best criticism about the things you want to be told all in a super nice way. Thank you for the info. I was leading towards a diy sump/refug. That is great to know about not wanting all the extra junk from TBS. Please keep it coming it helps so much. To drill or not to drill, my tank is not drilled. I plan on making a way to big stand. If not tbs where to get live s/r

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