STARTING A REEF TANK!!

[swabby1214]

Hello everyone, Im just starting a reef tank in my old 75g fish only tank. So far I have ordered some live rock,(2) Rio 1100 powerheads, Im using my CPR BakPak skimmer, and my Fluval 404 filter. I know I have to upgrade my lighting system and would like some advice on what i should get, also if there is anything else you think im gonna need please let me know, I look forward to working with everyone in the forum.. thanks and hope to hear from you soon! Swabby

[tendar]

I personally am not a big fan of Rio's as they have a tendance once in a while of cracking the casing and leaching oil into the tank killing every thing. THis is rare but has happened to a few people. Maxi Jets are a much better powerhead.
I would take off the fluval or at least remove anything in it and just use it for running carbon now and then.
The CPR back is a bit small for a 75 gall reef tank but will do for now.
Lighting really depends on what you want to keep now and down the road when you get more experience.
If you plan to go with softies and lps then PC, VHO or T5 lighting will work well. If your looking to sps and clams latter on then go for Metal Halides now so you dont have to upgrade your lighting later on.

[Chuck S]

Yep as Gregg suggested ditch the filter. Live Rock provides the filtration you need.

The advice above as far as lighting should give you a range to go on. It all depends on what your asperations are.

[swabby1214]

Thanks alot for the info hopefully I'll have good luck with the rio's. As far as what I plan to keep is some Anemones of some kind and maybe some soft corals, I think that is good for a beginner. I'll ditch the Fluval, What do you recommend in upgrades for the CPR? Thanks Swabby

[Chuck S]

Aqua-C Remora Pro or a smaller Aqua-C Ev series skimmer.

I would think with anemonies you want more towards the lighting for SPS and a mature aquarium. They are harder to keep than most people think. They are very delicate individuals.

[swabby1214]

SPS? I talked to a buddy of mines brother who has a 125 and he just upgraded to Metal Hylide and he says that its the way to go. What do you think I should start stocking the aquarium with since I am a beginner?
Swabby

[tendar]

I would go with halides (250 watters probably the best for your system) if where you they are the best lighting you can get and will be able to keep anything you with then. I would skip on the anemone for now as they do need a stable enviroment and are not the easiest to keep plus can be a real headace if it starts to walk around the tank stinging and killing every thing in its path.
Leathers (toadstools and fingers) are always a good started as are zooanthids and there are tones of great colors out there. Ricordea's are also very nice and some nice colors also. Once you get some experience and your tank matures in 6-12 mounths you can look into geting some of the easier sps corals and even a clam or 2.
Before buying any corals though I would suggest getting a good book or 2 on corals. 2 of my favorite books for corals and thier care are Aquarium Corals By Eric Borneman #1 for coral selection and care and Natural reef Aquariums by John Tullock is a great book system setups and understanding I also like Fenner and Calfo's new bood Reef Inverebrates it is good book that covers alot of different stuff and looks at some things from a little different perspective. I personally have 10 books. The way I figure it is I will spend $30-100 for a coral so why not spend $40 bucks for a good book that will help me keep it alive and thriving.

[swabby1214]

Thanks Gregg and Chuck I appreciate the info....

[tendar]

Glad to help

[Chuck S]

No problem Swabby.

Reef Tanks take patience and in time if one allows tanks to mature they can have a stable healthy environment. More problems are caused today by overanxious people who stock their tanks too soon and too full too early.

[swabby1214]

Ok guys starting right back into this I want some input on some things. First off RO/DI systems a must have I think but want assurance, second UV sterilizer need it or not, third sump or no sump? I want to do things right even though I am a beginner I want to prepare for the future. So enlighten me guys.....thanks Swabby

[Chuck S]

1. I beleive for a reef RO/DI is way way to go so you can make as our water as we can to put into our reefs.

2. Absolutely not UV sterilizer's kill as much beneficial life as non-beneficial.

3. I beleive sumps are great. They allow for more water volume. They allow for a place to put equipment and such and dose additives.

That is about as short and direct an answer I can give /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[swabby1214]

Ok So RO/DI yes, UV no, Sump yes, Now help me build a sump for a 75g I have no idea what to do there.....
Swabby

[Chuck S]

Read this post for some ideas on sump design

http://www.reeftalk.com/ubbthreads/showf...5/o/all/fpart/1 (http://www.reeftalk.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/21046/page/0/view/collapsed/sb/5/o/all/fpart/1)

[swabby1214]

I looked at it and still dont understand, if i get a 30g fish tank or a rubbermaid container. what else will i need and how do I build the inside of it thats what I'm having trouble understanding....Sorry to be so dumb founded at this!
Swabby

[tendar]

Every thing Chuck said I second

[swabby1214]

I looked at it and still dont understand, If I get a 30g fish tank or a rubbermaid container. what else will i need and how do I build the inside of it thats what I'm having trouble understanding....Sorry to be so dumb founded at this!
Swabby

[Chuck S]

A sumps basic design recieves water from an overflow from the tank and then a pump from the sump runs water back to the tank. You then place skimmer heaters etc in the sump. This is achieved via bulkheads and pvc plumbing

[swabby1214]

OK I got that my tank doesnt have an overflow how would i handle that?

[swabby1214]

I saw that CPR has a overflow box, Is this what I would need to get the water from the tank to the sump, and If yes how do you regulate how much goes in the sump with out overfilling the sump?

[Chuck S]

You need to make sure your sump is big enough to handle the water from the top of tank to overflow line. You make sure the return lines either have a check valves to stop flowback or holes near the water line to provide a suction stop.

The pump pumps water back from the sump to the tank. You can regulate flow by a ball valve on the return side on the return line.

[swabby1214]

Ok i have a 75g tank what size sump do i need?

[Chuck S]

a decent size rubbermaid container should do or a 29-40gallon tank

[swabby1214]

Ok thanks so this is what im gonna do, Im gonna get a 30 gallon fish tank or rubbermaid container and a cpr overflow box, im gonna put a aqua-c ev 120 in the sump, what pump should i use for the return i want alot of water turnover?

[tendar]

I would skim the cpr overflow box and get a U-Tube type overflow box. The U-Tube design are more dependable. The most recomened are LifeReefs (fairly expensive) or a Amiracle Overflow Box which sells for about $50 at Ocean Encounter http://oceanencounter.com/Merchant2/merc...ategory_Code=OF (http://oceanencounter.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=OE&Product_Code =AOB&Category_Code=OF)
I run a Mag 5 for my return pump which is suffiecent for Amiracle boxes. The Aqua-C skimmer is a good choice. I run the EV-180. You dont want more than about 7-8" of water in your sump when it is running so it can handle the back flow when power is off plus that is about the depeth the aquaC should be in the water

[tendar]

I posted some pics of my sump and Amaricle overflow box setup on this tread.
http://www.reeftalk.com/ubbthreads/showf...5/o/all/fpart/1 (http://www.reeftalk.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/20999/page/0/view/collapsed/sb/5/o/all/fpart/1)

[Chuck S]

I have always been way more fond of the CPR overflows as the amiracle have a habit of loosing suction.

[tendar]

That is the oppisite of what I have heard the cpr where supposly the ones have a habbit but I could be wrong. Mine has worked perfect for 3 weeks anyways.

[swabby1214]

Ok thanks and what do you mean when the power is off?

[swabby1214]

The more water turnover the better right! So if I get a CPR overflow box flowing 1600gph, what pump should I use Mag 12 or 18?

[Chuck S]

Mag 18 /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

As far as the overflows Greg I guess it is everyone's personal experience that skews things.

I have 3 CPR overflows and 2 Amiracle ones. I have had way more problems with the amiracle. On my CPR I attach the suction tube to a Rio 800 venturi and drop that in the sump. It keeps them constantly flowing.

[tendar]

The more flow in your tank the better. BUT it does not all have to go through your sump and overflow. Lots of people use closed loops or powerheads to increase thier overflow rate through the tank. The more water you run through your sump the louder it is and more chance of having micro bubbles coming back to the tank.
I personally like no more than 5-10 times tank turnover through my sump and get the rest of flow through closed loops.

[swabby1214]

So I need a suction pump to pump the water out of the overflow box to the sump?

[tendar]

No CPR over flows require a small power head with a venturie that sucks out any air that gets traped in the overflow portion of the box so id doesnt loose suction and overflow.

[swabby1214]

Ok this question is for Chuck....If I get a CPR CS150 putting out 1600 GPH and i put a rio 800w/venturi putting out 211 GPH how does that take affect to the overflow box putting out 1600 GPH?

[swabby1214]

Do you guys think that this setup is good?

CPR Aquafuge Pro Sump/Refugium
Mag 18 return pump
Not sure what kind of pump to get for suction waiting on your input for above post!
Thanks Swabby

[Chuck S]

I would seriously save some of your money and just use a 40 gallon tank or rubbermaid container. You can silicone in a divider or two using normal plexiglass sheet at homedepot.

The Rio 800 is for the cpr suction. On any external overflow you must suck out the air to start the flow. In the u tubes most people place some airline up to the top and suck the air out. CPR has a airline connection up top you do the same thing and can clamp it off when done or run the rio on it to keep siphon. I run a venturi powerhead placed in the sump with airline attached.

[swabby1214]

Ok if i get a 40 gallon tank or rubbermaid container, should i stager the dividers?

[swabby1214]

I ordered the Mag 18, the cpr 1600 gph overflow box, and a rio 800w/venturi this morning. Im gonna go buy the tank and go by home depot and buy some plexi glass and silicone to make my sump thanks chuck. What kind of silicone should i get?

[Chuck S]

Regular silicone should work at home depot. As far as the dividers if you looked at the sumps online to buy you should see how the dividers are done. This should give you ideas on how to do it. Basically the main part of what it is doing is providing space to allow bubbles to disperse. If there was nothing there you would have more of a chance of bubbles from the overflow and skimmer to be drawn up into the tank.

[swabby1214]

ok thanks