Considering a reef tank....

[enchanted]

My first tank I got was a freebie when I moved in here. It is already predilled for a sump and I was thinking that it would be nice to do a saltwater tank with it.

It is a 30 Gallon Long (36") tank.

What aspects need considered other than the lighting? Basically I don't know what size tank I should have for the sump nor do I know what type of equipment I would get. I do know that I should probably have 3WPG 10,000K PC Lighting and I'm looking at AH Supply to achieve this.

 

[Navarre]

Good start


OK lets discuss the filtration.
Live rock for the maintank is going to be your best option to begin with. This is by far the most efficient filter and also the best mother nature has to offer.

For the sump you could add more live rock if you want.. doesnt need lighting or anything and would be a great addition to the filtration.

Or

Mineral Mud. Add some macro algeas (perhaps with additional mangroves) for nutrient export. Very easy to maintain and setup. Only needs a simply light bulb and tnthing more than this to help the macro algea. (should be lit 24/7 in the sump)

Or a DSB. A very efficient system but not without its problems to setup. Recomended for people that can recognise any early problems that might arrise in the filtration. A very very good system once its balanced though

These are the main uses for a sump and all work very well in their own ways. Just depends what you feel would be best for your own preferance.

 

[enchanted]

Okay, if I go with LiveRock for the tank, Mineral Mud for the sump, what else do I need?

Also, for a 30 Gallon tank what size sump should it be? 5 Gallon?

What other hardware will I need? I have heard and understand what a protien skimmer is and what it does, so I figure I would need that, but what else?

I want to get a good handle on what is going to be involved before I do this. I already did the jump into Freshwater without having a clue and learning along the way, but I don't want to do that with saltwater.

I would rather have a good grasp of what I am doing prior to setting this up.

 

[Navarre]

If you choose MM in the sump then you do not need a skimmer. When Mud systems started appearing, they were sold as not needing to be skimmed. The thought behind this was because the skimmer would removed trace eliments that the mud is releasing to help feed the macro alges. I donot run a skimmer in my tank but there are in increasing number of people that are beginning to use skimmers in the mud systems again with little or not problems.


You have the live rock aspect covered so no ned to go futher here. Next is lighting? What type of lights are you considering and what type of tank are you wanting to run. A fish on ly system neds no special lighting. Soft corals need powerful tubes, probably T5s and hard corals need halides to thrive


Laslty, the sump can be of any size but i would say that 5 gallon is ok for a tank of your size

 

[enchanted]

I am looking at Compact Flourescent in the area of 100+W 10,000K

I want to do a reef tank if possible in a 30 Gallon Long. I realize it will be a small one, but it is a start and a learning experience.

 

[jimdogg187]

i use pc's on my reef for now. they work just fine for my soft corals. my anemone is also doing just fine; however, i'm going to upgade to metal hailide soon. i also have the incredible urge to get a clam, but i'll definetly upgrade the lights first.

 

[enchanted]

Well, after researching the lighting I'm looking at 2x96W PCF Lights. One 10K one Atnic for a total of 192W.

Now I just need to get a 75 Gallon for my puffers for brackish so I can start outfitting this tank for salt.....

Might take a couple of months..