What equipment would I entail to start up a 55gallon saltwater reef cistern?
I have a 55gallon aquarium and wanted to start a SW reservoir up. What type of lighting, filter, heater, protein skimmer....etc..
I would really like to try setting up a reef as okay.
Thanks in advance!
Answers:
I recommend that you drop by reefcentral.org. there you can have experts within the hobby answer your questions. for a hobby like this (I've have reef tanks for over 10 years) you usually need something like $1000. you can do it for less especially if you are a great DIYer and you buy used equipment.
Also check our GARF.org. I follow some of their advice on my display and Nano tank. they have been researching coral keeping for around 30years. do profusely of research your self befor buying anything.
you can keep a reef tank next to standard output fluorescent lighting (special bulbs for a reef tank). I did for about 3 years. It all depends on what you want to maintain. Source(s): years and years of experience.
Go to www.wetwebmedia.com and read the information there. Basically, you want the best you can afford surrounded by any area. The highest aspect lighting, the best skimmer, etc.
If you're looking to do a reef setup, the quality of the lighting is critical. Corals are light sensitive, and will not thrive on a fluorescent pale like a tropical fish can do. You'll need at tiniest compact flourescents, and possibly metal halides. For heaters, buy two and locate them at opposite ends of the tank. This will provide more precise heat control (as water currents and such don't keep temps constant through the tank) as capably as providing a backup to keep the animals alive in the event that one fail. Filtration is a tricky issue, but I'd recommend a deep sand bed that will provide de-nitrification, as well as live rock. Live rock is expensive, but you merely need a little to receive started. You can mix live rock and 'dead' rock, and the dead rocks will get seed with the beneficial bacteria and such from the live rock over time.
Having tried multiple brands of the smaller number expensive skimmers, my experience was that buying cheap is pointless. You get what you settle for. At this point, I run an Aqua C Remora skimmer, which all I ever have to do is verbs. Some require a lot of adjustment, drain too much water, don't work effectively, etc, but I've never have any trouble with my Aqua C. It was worth every penny.
Do check out that site I mentioned at the outset. They've got more information then I could ever repeat here!
I other notice how people newly copy and paste info..
I started mine 5 months ago and so for its doing great... This is what i recommend to have..
Common Liquids if preparing your own brackish mix:
Amquel and Conditioner
Kent Products:
Calcium
Micro-Vert
Iodiine
Phytoplex
Coral- Accel
Trace Elements
Testing kit:
Hydrometer, PH, Ammonia, Nitrate, Phosphate
Salt:
either buckets from the store (salt already made) ----- what i use..
or instant Ocean-- directions on rucksack
lighting:
minimum a t-5 dual compact flourescent.. or 400 Watt Metal Halide bulb ( Best for Reef systems)
Heater: 20 watt heater
Chiller: Depending on where you live. If wet gets too hot you would have to bring the warmth down. I live in California so that climate is average and i don't have one.
You will Definetly Need a:
PROTEIN SKIMMER
Water Filtration:
Either Sump or Filter Canister (Diatomite)
Water Circulation inside cistern:
At least 3 powerhead. Corals need wet movement to cath phytoplanton etc.
Substrate:
Live rock: FIji premium Live rock, mine was 4$/lb
i will say give or take a few 30lbs. For a reef setup try to get the flat ones you see i order to place your corals
Live sand: also recommended.
Cycle Your container for about 3 months with the live rock and live sand.
After that include your corals and kent Chemicals to start coralline growth Source(s): I have everything i described above and so far my tank i great. I lately added my Blue tang and cleaner shrimp..
Also with the Kent Chemicals i have started to grow coralline( delicate red/green/purple color that covers rocks, glass etc.)
Only stable tanks are talented of growing coralline.
Unstabble tanks grow BROWN ALGEA.
HOPE THIS HELPED AND WELCOME AS A MARINE HOBBYIST
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I would really like to try setting up a reef as okay.
Thanks in advance!
Answers:
I recommend that you drop by reefcentral.org. there you can have experts within the hobby answer your questions. for a hobby like this (I've have reef tanks for over 10 years) you usually need something like $1000. you can do it for less especially if you are a great DIYer and you buy used equipment.
Also check our GARF.org. I follow some of their advice on my display and Nano tank. they have been researching coral keeping for around 30years. do profusely of research your self befor buying anything.
you can keep a reef tank next to standard output fluorescent lighting (special bulbs for a reef tank). I did for about 3 years. It all depends on what you want to maintain. Source(s): years and years of experience.
Go to www.wetwebmedia.com and read the information there. Basically, you want the best you can afford surrounded by any area. The highest aspect lighting, the best skimmer, etc.
If you're looking to do a reef setup, the quality of the lighting is critical. Corals are light sensitive, and will not thrive on a fluorescent pale like a tropical fish can do. You'll need at tiniest compact flourescents, and possibly metal halides. For heaters, buy two and locate them at opposite ends of the tank. This will provide more precise heat control (as water currents and such don't keep temps constant through the tank) as capably as providing a backup to keep the animals alive in the event that one fail. Filtration is a tricky issue, but I'd recommend a deep sand bed that will provide de-nitrification, as well as live rock. Live rock is expensive, but you merely need a little to receive started. You can mix live rock and 'dead' rock, and the dead rocks will get seed with the beneficial bacteria and such from the live rock over time.
Having tried multiple brands of the smaller number expensive skimmers, my experience was that buying cheap is pointless. You get what you settle for. At this point, I run an Aqua C Remora skimmer, which all I ever have to do is verbs. Some require a lot of adjustment, drain too much water, don't work effectively, etc, but I've never have any trouble with my Aqua C. It was worth every penny.
Do check out that site I mentioned at the outset. They've got more information then I could ever repeat here!
I other notice how people newly copy and paste info..
I started mine 5 months ago and so for its doing great... This is what i recommend to have..
Common Liquids if preparing your own brackish mix:
Amquel and Conditioner
Kent Products:
Calcium
Micro-Vert
Iodiine
Phytoplex
Coral- Accel
Trace Elements
Testing kit:
Hydrometer, PH, Ammonia, Nitrate, Phosphate
Salt:
either buckets from the store (salt already made) ----- what i use..
or instant Ocean-- directions on rucksack
lighting:
minimum a t-5 dual compact flourescent.. or 400 Watt Metal Halide bulb ( Best for Reef systems)
Heater: 20 watt heater
Chiller: Depending on where you live. If wet gets too hot you would have to bring the warmth down. I live in California so that climate is average and i don't have one.
You will Definetly Need a:
PROTEIN SKIMMER
Water Filtration:
Either Sump or Filter Canister (Diatomite)
Water Circulation inside cistern:
At least 3 powerhead. Corals need wet movement to cath phytoplanton etc.
Substrate:
Live rock: FIji premium Live rock, mine was 4$/lb
i will say give or take a few 30lbs. For a reef setup try to get the flat ones you see i order to place your corals
Live sand: also recommended.
Cycle Your container for about 3 months with the live rock and live sand.
After that include your corals and kent Chemicals to start coralline growth Source(s): I have everything i described above and so far my tank i great. I lately added my Blue tang and cleaner shrimp..
Also with the Kent Chemicals i have started to grow coralline( delicate red/green/purple color that covers rocks, glass etc.)
Only stable tanks are talented of growing coralline.
Unstabble tanks grow BROWN ALGEA.
HOPE THIS HELPED AND WELCOME AS A MARINE HOBBYIST
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