Help! How do I best set up a reef tank?

[dazjazz]

Hi Folks! I live in Melbourne, Australia. I've been keeping freshwater tropical for years now and I am wanting to branch out and purchase a reef tank set up.

What's the best/most simple/most stable way to set up a reef tank? I have been to 4 aquariums now and everyone tells me something different and there is huge variation in prices with most of them being very expensive.

Some shops say I need a sump tank with return pump, some say you need a deep bed of coral sand and live rock, some say filter through bio-balls.

Two people have told me that filtering through bio-balls is a bad idea as it can drastically increase nitrate levels. Is there any truth to this rumour?

Thanks for your help!

 

[wasabi]

best, most simple, most stable,
i can only answer with my limited 2 year experience. i would start with your main tank and plan on a refugium. at least a 4 inch sand bed in both.lighting i chose metal halide with normal output actinics but many use vho. 1-2 pounds of live rock (1 leaves more room to place corals) a protein skimmer rated higher than your tank volume and make it a high end skimmer.i had my refugiums drilled to empty back into the tank but i have one below and it works just as well.size is important to some but i have just as much success with my 25 gallon acrylic tank, as i do with a 135 gallon. patience at first untill the tank stabilizes, mine have all gone through the massive algea outbreaks.i am relying mainly on peoples suggestions on this board and others and i have set up some really interesting beautiful reefs with their help. good luck hth

 

[Pumba]

Also join Reefing the Australian Way- great Ozzie based forum.
http://ozreef.org/rtaw/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi

 

[tubs]

How about a little of historical perspective to hopefully help you out a little.

When reefkeeping here in the US first started really coming onto the scene (late 80s) the popular approach was the Dutch method which used a wet/dry type of filter which used DLS(fiber material) or bioballs. This approach also used macro algae in the main tank and at this time denitrators were also popular. Live rock was used as well but typically the bottom was bare. Typically without a denitrator, nitrates were higher than what you would find in today's Berlin configurations. These dentrators also were expensive and required feeding to keep the denitrifying bacteria going.

Then came along the Berlin Method which employed the use of a deep sand band, live rock, a sump and a protein skimmer. The Berlin method of using more natural methods of denitrification through the deep sand bed and live rock became popular. The deep sand band also harbored along with denitrifying bacteria other beneficial organisms that represents a more natural system.

To answer your question specifically about bioballs, yes they would naturally generate nitrates throught the normal process of breaking down ammonia. This would certainly be an issue if there was no denitrication methods employed such as a deep sand bed/live rock or a denitrifier. Bioballs by themselves do not further break down nitrates. Nevertheless bioballs are not needed in a properly setup Berlin configuration and it is fairly simple at that. All the filtration occurs on the live rock and deep sand bed. A good quality protein skimmer will export excess nutrients from the system.

Sumps are not absolutely necessary but IMO quite a benefit in many ways. Maybe someone else can chime in on the great many benefits of having one because this letter is getting long x()

There are still many especially at aquarium stores that advocate the dutch type system simply because they haven't caught up to the current methods of today. Believe me on this one. Many as well still recommend them for fish only systems.

HTH,

 

[tubs]

FunkDazz,

One more thing. In internet forums such as these you'll find the latest information on current methods as well as everything else concerning reefkeeping. I don't think you'll find anyone here recommending bioballs as your primary filtration.

Also take a look at the various webpages of members because they typically have detailed descriptions of their systems. I'm sure if you look at enough of them you'll find a concensus in this way as well.

 

[D-Nak]

The cool thing about having a reef tank is that you can have it any way you want and still have some sort of success. There doesn't seem to be one "best" way to do things -- otherwise most reefers would be using similar set-ups.

I've seen pictures of successful reefs that use huge skimmers, live rock only, a refugium, an algae scrubber (seems like those are heading out though), "EcoSystem" filtration, UV sterilizers, canister filters with carbon, a deep sand bed, no sand, and every combination in between.

I think your best bet is to decide how much you plan to invest in your tank -- both in terms of finances and your time. All tanks require some sort of maintenance, but some more than others. For example, skimmerless tanks like the "Ecosystem" system seem to run themselves, but you still need to thin out the caluerpa and change the mud every once in a while.

I think there will be a lot of people who will tell you that their way is the best way -- but keep in mind that the time they invest in their tanks may not be what you want to spend.

But, since this post is getting long as well, I'll wrap it up with this: We can pretty much all agree that starting out with lots of good quality live rock is best, bioballs shouldn't be used to filter reefs tanks (especially when you are using lots of live rock), the type of lighting you buy depends on the livestock you plan to keep, and lastly -- this hobby can become extremely expensive but is well worth it!

Enjoy!

D-Nak