Clayton & Molly's Reef

Midnight · 09-01-2007, 10:55 PM

My g/f and I are working on getting a reef started we have a 75 gallon main tank a 20 gallon sump/refugium and then another 20 gallon small reef tank that will sit next to the main tank. We plan on getting around 120lbs of live rock and a 3inch deep sand bed. I have a UV(dont know if I am going to use it) and we are going to try and get a skimmer this weekend.

1st question is we are looking at fish and I really want to get a Clown Tang for the main tank but some sites say 55gallons is the minimum tank size and others say 90 gallons. Has anyone had one in a 75 gallon tank or is that too small??

2nd question how much sand should I buy to get a 3in deep sand bed???

so far here is what I got

75gallon tank
20 gallon tank X2
UV
Mag 12
two over flows
some small power heads

If anyone has any sugestions we are open to any ideas

DrHank · 09-01-2007, 11:21 PM

A clown tang is one of the more difficult ones to keep and really needs a tank longer than four feet . Tangs are also one of the fish best left for last to introduce. You need to get your skimmer and live rock and cycle the tank in using supermarket fish before you add any live fish to the tank. That should give you a good 6 weeks after you get your live rock to consider what you would like to add to your tank.

As far as tangs are concerned, I would recommend only one tang from the Zebrasomosa family. Remember that many vendors understate the size needed to accommodate fish in order to sell. You are best to be conservative. There is an excellent thread on the subject right here on RS.

By the way, welcome, we're here to help you so if you have a question, ask away.

DrHank · 09-01-2007, 11:23 PM

By the way, if you're looking for a skimmer look at ASM and Octopus. Go for one that is rated for twice your system volume. In your case, at least 150 gallons.

hma · 09-01-2007, 11:29 PM

Hello Clayton & Molly,

to your first question:

1. - A clown tang is definitely no fish for a beginner.

2. - It is one of the most aggressiv fish at all which I knows. A beautiful fish, but surely no fish for beginners.

3. - A 55gal in addition, a 90gal tank are much too small for a clown tang. I have a red sea clown tang in a 255gal FO tank. The place therein is enough to satisfy straight out around the movement urge of the fish.

Do to me a favour, leave the fish where it is, in the ocean. You and Molly, would not enjoy long him. And all other fish in your tank also not, which those it would attack again and again, often up to the death of the opponent.

Midnight · 09-02-2007, 12:01 AM

Thanks for the quick reply guys. I had a feeling that would be the answer but had to ask. Thanks for the help with the skimmer too I will check them out. I will get some pictures up of the set up as soon as I find the cord for my digital camera lol.

sasquatch · 09-02-2007, 12:12 AM

Hi Midnight and Welcome to RS! is one of you going to be Highnoon? otherwise how will we tell you apart? eeek! are you Clayton or Molly? lol never fear we'll figure it out. As for the "sand" what kind are you thinking of. Steve

Midnight · 09-02-2007, 12:18 AM

Im Clayton and I don't know what type of sand I am going to get I would like to keep the price tag down if I can.

cheeks69 · 09-02-2007, 12:39 AM

I suggest aragonite sand sugar-size to be exact and 4" would give ya a great amount of surface area for bacteria. To save some money only use about 5-10 lbs. of LS to colonize the SB or get some sand from well established tanks from fellow hobbiests.

BTW welcome to RS.

Midnight · 09-02-2007, 12:59 AM

Is there a way to figure out how much sand I need to buy to have a 4" sand bed???

tbittner · 09-02-2007, 01:10 AM

Here is a great calculator I found that will help you figure out these things.

Here is another which I like even better.

Welcome to RS!

AQTCJAK · 09-02-2007, 02:15 AM

Welcome Aboard I to would agree on the clown tang they are veryaggressive I normally place them i tanks with puffers 7 triggers because they cn hold thier own as well as keep an hair algae down

lcstorc · 09-02-2007, 10:42 AM

Welcome to RS!
Looks like everybody has headed you in the right direction.
I will second the recommendation on the ASM skimmers. I have 2 on 2 different tanks and they are awesome.
Go bigger than you think you need but be sure to check the available space in your sump/stand. When I got my g4+ I found it was almost too tall to fit in my sump.

Midnight · 09-02-2007, 07:24 PM

Well I figure I need around 120lbs of LR and 200lb of LS, so if anyone know of any good places to buy LR and LS in FL or online it would really help.

framerguy · 09-02-2007, 07:35 PM

As far as LR is concerned I've had good luck with Pacific East Aquaculture (a sponsor BTW). Got my sand from LFS and seeded with Aragamax LS. Ditto on the skimmer advice, it's really you're most important piece of equipment IMO. Oh, and welcome to the boards!!!

Dentoid · 09-02-2007, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midnight

Well I figure I need around 120lbs of LR and 200lb of LS, so if anyone know of any good places to buy LR and LS in FL or online it would really help.

Check this out. I got my LR and LS from them as well as others (Bluespotjawfish, ScubaDrew and Goldenmean). It's about as "Live" as you can get LR and LS.

www.tampabaysaltwater.com

09-01-2007, 10:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
Midnight Torch coral Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 554 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Clayton & Molly's Reef My g/f and I are working on getting a reef started we have a 75 gallon main tank a 20 gallon sump/refugium and then another 20 gallon small reef tank that will sit next to the main tank. We plan on getting around 120lbs of live rock and a 3inch deep sand bed. I have a UV(dont know if I am going to use it) and we are going to try and get a skimmer this weekend. 1st question is we are looking at fish and I really want to get a Clown Tang for the main tank but some sites say 55gallons is the minimum tank size and others say 90 gallons. Has anyone had one in a 75 gallon tank or is that too small?? 2nd question how much sand should I buy to get a 3in deep sand bed??? so far here is what I got 75gallon tank 20 gallon tank X2 UV Mag 12 two over flows some small power heads If anyone has any sugestions we are open to any ideas

09-01-2007, 11:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
DrHank Golden Moray Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Crestview, FL Posts: 2,758 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Clayton & Molly's Reef A clown tang is one of the more difficult ones to keep and really needs a tank longer than four feet . Tangs are also one of the fish best left for last to introduce. You need to get your skimmer and live rock and cycle the tank in using supermarket fish before you add any live fish to the tank. That should give you a good 6 weeks after you get your live rock to consider what you would like to add to your tank. As far as tangs are concerned, I would recommend only one tang from the Zebrasomosa family. Remember that many vendors understate the size needed to accommodate fish in order to sell. You are best to be conservative. There is an excellent thread on the subject right here on RS. By the way, welcome, we're here to help you so if you have a question, ask away. __________________ Doc Dr Hank's 210 Build: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...nks-tanks.html

09-01-2007, 11:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
DrHank Golden Moray Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Crestview, FL Posts: 2,758 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Clayton & Molly's Reef By the way, if you're looking for a skimmer look at ASM and Octopus. Go for one that is rated for twice your system volume. In your case, at least 150 gallons. __________________ Doc Dr Hank's 210 Build: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...nks-tanks.html

09-01-2007, 11:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
hma Golden Moray Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Frankfurt, Germany Posts: 2,653 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Clayton & Molly's Reef Hello Clayton & Molly, to your first question: 1. - A clown tang is definitely no fish for a beginner. 2. - It is one of the most aggressiv fish at all which I knows. A beautiful fish, but surely no fish for beginners. 3. - A 55gal in addition, a 90gal tank are much too small for a clown tang. I have a red sea clown tang in a 255gal FO tank. The place therein is enough to satisfy straight out around the movement urge of the fish. Do to me a favour, leave the fish where it is, in the ocean. You and Molly, would not enjoy long him. And all other fish in your tank also not, which those it would attack again and again, often up to the death of the opponent. __________________ Heinz If you have a great hurry, go slowly. The secret of a successful reef-keeping is balance. Instead of doing everything faster, do everything at the right speed. The Seawater Encyclopaedia Brown Jelly Treatment The Balling Method My Chronicle and www.reefdreams.de as well as mobile.reefdreams.de

09-02-2007, 12:01 AM	#5 (permalink)
Midnight Torch coral Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 554 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Clayton & Molly's Reef Thanks for the quick reply guys. I had a feeling that would be the answer but had to ask. Thanks for the help with the skimmer too I will check them out. I will get some pictures up of the set up as soon as I find the cord for my digital camera lol. Last edited by Midnight : 09-02-2007 at 03:03 PM.

09-02-2007, 12:12 AM	#6 (permalink)
sasquatch Brunt of all Jokes~ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: the very farthest west coast of canada Posts: 8,981 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Clayton & Molly's Reef Hi Midnight and Welcome to RS! is one of you going to be Highnoon? otherwise how will we tell you apart? eeek! are you Clayton or Molly? lol never fear we'll figure it out. As for the "sand" what kind are you thinking of. Steve

09-02-2007, 12:18 AM	#7 (permalink)
Midnight Torch coral Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 554 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Clayton & Molly's Reef Im Clayton and I don't know what type of sand I am going to get I would like to keep the price tag down if I can.

09-02-2007, 12:39 AM	#8 (permalink)
cheeks69 Wannabe Guru Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northeast Posts: 7,386 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Clayton & Molly's Reef I suggest aragonite sand sugar-size to be exact and 4" would give ya a great amount of surface area for bacteria. To save some money only use about 5-10 lbs. of LS to colonize the SB or get some sand from well established tanks from fellow hobbiests. BTW welcome to RS. __________________ Robert My Cube “A spirit is manifest in the laws of the Universe—a spirit vastly superior to that of man, and one in the face of which we with our modest powers must feel humble.” Albert Einstein Last edited by cheeks69 : 09-02-2007 at 10:40 PM.

09-02-2007, 12:59 AM	#9 (permalink)
Midnight Torch coral Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 554 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Clayton & Molly's Reef Is there a way to figure out how much sand I need to buy to have a 4" sand bed???

09-02-2007, 01:10 AM	#10 (permalink)
tbittner Watch this Ma! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 5,563 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Clayton & Molly's Reef Here is a great calculator I found that will help you figure out these things. Here is another which I like even better. Welcome to RS! __________________ Terry 150g predator tank full of killers. Soon to be upgraded to a 360g. 450g reef 300g sump. Last edited by tbittner : 09-02-2007 at 01:13 AM. Reason: added another link

09-02-2007, 02:15 AM	#11 (permalink)
AQTCJAK Tiger Shark Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 7,267 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Clayton & Molly's Reef Welcome Aboard I to would agree on the clown tang they are veryaggressive I normally place them i tanks with puffers 7 triggers because they cn hold thier own as well as keep an hair algae down __________________ A Wiseman once said build a stage add a pole & they will dance - Jack 2007 www.aquaticaggression.com

09-02-2007, 10:42 AM	#12 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 26,433 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Clayton & Molly's Reef Welcome to RS! Looks like everybody has headed you in the right direction. I will second the recommendation on the ASM skimmers. I have 2 on 2 different tanks and they are awesome. Go bigger than you think you need but be sure to check the available space in your sump/stand. When I got my g4+ I found it was almost too tall to fit in my sump. __________________ 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.

09-02-2007, 07:24 PM	#13 (permalink)
Midnight Torch coral Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 554 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Clayton & Molly's Reef Well I figure I need around 120lbs of LR and 200lb of LS, so if anyone know of any good places to buy LR and LS in FL or online it would really help.

09-02-2007, 07:35 PM	#14 (permalink)
framerguy Tridacna maxima Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Clarkesville, Ga Posts: 4,994 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Clayton & Molly's Reef As far as LR is concerned I've had good luck with Pacific East Aquaculture (a sponsor BTW). Got my sand from LFS and seeded with Aragamax LS. Ditto on the skimmer advice, it's really you're most important piece of equipment IMO. Oh, and welcome to the boards!!! __________________ ___________________________________ Greg All time fav quote: "Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy."-Guillaume Apollinaire "Being happy can be as easy as deciding to be!"-Greg Kimsey (framerguy) 375gDT built in wall, 100g sump, Sequence Hammerhead closed loop, DIY light system w/4x 250MH & 4x54w T5, Aqua C EV-400 skimmer etc, etc, etc... http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...areum-too.html

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