Newbie here needs some advise

[TheReefster99]

Hi I am new to the site.I am just starting my first reef tank but have been interested in them for years just never had the time or money.I am slowly starting one, so far all I have is the tank and stand (a 46 gal. Bow front).What I need help on first is what components to use, a friend of mine told me to go with an emperor 400 bio for a filter and a red sea prizm protein skimmerfor starters.Im pretty sure I have the lighting all figured out but could also use some help on a good brand power head.I could also use any advise you think a beginner would benefit from. Any input would be very appreciated! Thanks

[Homer]

I started my 75 gallon reef in Feb. of this year. I have a wet/dry filter (with built in protein skimmer). I have a penguin bio-wheel - without the wheels, a small eheim cannister filter that also passes water through a u/v sterilizer (turbo twister). I have live sand - recommended if you want a sifter goby. The live rock will probably be your biggest expense unless you can find it for cheap. You can buy it on-line at foster and smith if your local fish store charges more than $5-6/LB. I supplemented my live rock with some white rocks from PetCo. They were not live, but they quickly began growing algae on them after they were introduced to the tank. It is a good way to get more rock for cheap.
I filled my tank with tap water and my water turned green about a month after I set up the tank. I had to get the U/V sterilizer to fix that problem. Now I run all my water through a R/O unit.
My advice for filters would be to get a good protein skimmer, a cannister filter, a U/V sterilizer, and two power heads. If you want to have a reef tank, people recommend 10x the water flow of the tank per hour. So you will need 460 gph. Two small power heads on either side of the tank, the cannister, and the protein skimmer should take care of that. I would avoid the wet/dry filter as I am constantly afraid of mine overflowing.
What type of fish are you planning on putting in the tank? What type of corals?
I have a power compact light - 65 watts x 4 bulbs - 2 10000 white, 2 acitnic blue. It is plenty for my corals. I have frogspawn, torch coral, white bubble coral, pumping xenia, mushrooms, green brain coral, and a toadstool coral. All are doing great.
I have been told to avoid anemones since they wander around the tank, can be messy, and I am personally afraid of them eating my fish. Nothing like paying $50 for a fish only to see it get eaten!
Let me know if I can be of further help. I have found this site to be a huge help since I started my tank.

[mbeach66]

Hey, definately go with power compact lights. Also, instead of getting the prizm skimmer which alot of ppl will say isn't the best performance, head over to MarineDepot.com and get their Aqua C Remora, it is DEFINATELY the best bang for your buck. best part is you'll get free shipping on the product! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif . Live rock, you probably want about a pound per gallon, or lower, usually start with about 20-30 lbs. use Reverse Osmosis water. temp should be around 76-79, so if yours is not near that, you might want to invest in a heater or a chiller. Lastly, after your nitrates spike, and drop back down...get a couple tester fish, (ie. Damsels) to make sure you get the hang of feeding, water changes and if the fish actually survive. (no use getting a 90 dollar Blue Tang and have it die). if your damsels survive for longer than about two weeks take them back to the Local Fishstore and get whatever fish you want, May i suggest a pair of Percula Clowns, they are very beautiful fish, very easy to take care of.

Good Luck!!
MBEACH

[deadfish]

Hi there, Just wanted to say that I've just set-up myself and have been running for about 2 months now. I'm currently using a Red sea prizm skimmer and I've found it to be alright regardless of what other people may think. The trick when starting out is to gather as much info as you can and then decide which of it is relavent to you and your set-up, There's no point spending your hard earned cash on something YOUR not comfortable with. I've spent about £600 on my tank so far (check out the pic in the gallery). At the end of the day we aren't all able to afford top of the range set-ups, Lastly I'd just like to say that I've received alot of help/info from this very site.

GOOD LUCK!!!
deadfish

[KillBill75]

First of all adressing your substrate is key to the entire health of your system. The use of a good Agragonite substrate with a good range of grain size is a must. Caribsea makes a seafloor grade which is excelent,2.5" of that and you have your self the begining of a stable system.
Next purchase quality cured live rock,all though these rocks are expensive, This will be the core filtration of your system,The use of the emperor filter is not necessary and infact may induce amonia and nitrite to creep up.
I also would concur with the choice of skimmers, Aqua-c is a great product. A sump would be nice but not necessary, This though would increase your total volume and be an excellent place to house you heater,skimmer etc.....And it is nothing more than a large rubbermaid bin or a purpose made unit from a manufacturer.
As far as Powerheads go, I've used $8.00 Aquaclears for two years before going with a hard plumbed tank and they have never been an issue.This is one area that you don't have to buy the expensive stuff.
Hope this helps and do your self a favor, Buy one or two good reference books and don't rush! This is a patient mans hobby, Sometimes like watching paint dry!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/peace.gif

[brody98]

In the beginning I had 2 prizms develop leaks, read other posts I think its pretty common for them to leak after awhile. Keep an eye on it. Good luck

[TheReefster99]

Thank you for all the replys on my post.I learned something new from every one of them.As far as the tank, I have been gathering up things piece by piece and am almost ready to set everything up all I need is sand, a heater, and a power head.If anyone thinks of any other advise for me then I would appreciate it.Thanks again..

[cheerncougar]

if u get a u/v be sure not to run it 24/7 in a reef. when feeding it will zap your phyto and zoo plankton, also do not run it at night as it wil zap your cocopods