setting up a reef tank

[jkidd155]

reef

i am setting up my 72 bow saltwater tank from aggressive fish 2 live rock what do i need to set it up i have a fluval 405 filter a emperroe filter a fluval 4plus filter and a protein skimmer if any one can help who appreciate it

 

[kenconnect]

Well u can get some live rock and sand

 

[howze01]

You'll also need some pretty good lighting. What kind of lights so you have now?

 

[Imbarrie]

Is everything going to hang on back or are you thinking about a sump?
That canister filter will be a lot of work from what I hear.
Were you using reverse osmosis water for the prior tank? You should seriously consider getting one if you don't already have. I cannot stress that enough.
Your salt may need changing. Reef tanks are more dependent on trace elements that are more stable in better brands. Reef Crystals, ESV or Tropic Marin reef.
Just some things to think about I'm sure there will be more.

 

[duke62]

are you just having fish in there or are you getting corals?need to know what your planning to keep if you are getting corals.SPS,LPS,softies..

 

[jkidd155]

im gonna do live rock, fish and some corals everything is gonna hang on the back of the tank. can someone give me a list of everything i need to get this tank going the tank is running with nothing in it my salt level is 1.23 ph 8.2 no nitrate no ammonia is there anything else i should b testing 4

 

[Cris007]

You need to check your Cal, Alk and Mg levels. How long has this tank been running? What do u have for water flow and lights?

 

[jkidd155]

tank has been running for over six months i had aggressive fish but got rid of them about a month ago dont know anything about starting up a reef tank would appreciate any help on wat type of equipment i need like i said b4 i have a fluval cannister filter a emperro hang on filter a fluval plus 4 internal filter and a seaclone protein skimmer wat else do i need

 

[Imbarrie]

Have you been using RODI water for your fish?

If you have been using regular water you may have high levels of phosphates. This is OK in fish only tanks that are not lighted like reef tanks. When you instal a light capable of keeping coral alive you will most likely suffer from huge algae blooms.
Right now is the best time to do switch over to RODI if you are not already using it.

I would consider this a crucial addition. If you are not planning on using RODI then you are fine.

 

[jkidd155]

no i have not been using rodi water i was using regular tap n using water conditioners

 

[Imbarrie]

It's not a necessity but I would get an RODI filter and do some massive water changes before you put anything in the tank. You probably have high levels of algae loving phosphates that will create havoc in your tank for many months to come.
This is one of the main additions reefers focus on eliminating.

 

[jkidd155]

wat is centrifugal and centripetal im sorry im new at this stuff

 

[rambler67]

+1 on a nice rodi unit it is well worth the investment. you need a good skimmer. i would consider a sump and getting rid of the canister filter but you can use it you just have to clean it really often. you need some good lighting witch would depend on what type of coral you want to keep.

 

[jkidd155]

i dont mind cleaning the canister filter how often should i clean it i just started my tank with live rock 2day. i have a t5ho solarmax extreme. i also have 2 koralia 750 powerheads running in the tank also n my seaclone 150 protein skimmer im i missing anything else if so please let me know i would like 2 thank everyone who has given me feedback i really appreciate it

 

[ed51802]

If you gunna use a canister filter fill it with rock rubble and ditch any pads or floss.

Sent from my SPH-M910 using Reefs

 

[rambler67]

If you gunna use a canister filter fill it with rock rubble and ditch any pads or floss.

Sent from my SPH-M910 using Reefs

+1

The pads and floss are nitrate factory. the fluval 405 has some nice chambers for carbon phosban or gfo or any other thing you might need to run.

 

[jkidd155]

wat is rock rubble arent the pads used for filtering and biologocal? when u say the pads r a nitrate factory what do mean use them or dont

 

[ed51802]

Use live rock rubble (small pieces).. filter floss and or pads will need to be cleaned very often. Or will produce nitates if not cleaned weekly. The live rock rubble will be you biological filtration. As for chemical filtration you can run carbon or gfo or any other stuff you choose too

Sent from my SPH-M910 using Reefs

 

[jkidd155]

wat is filter floss n gfo?

 

[rambler67]

gfo is (Granulated ferric oxide) it is used to reduce phosphates. filter floss is the finer floss pads in the filter that removes the smaller particles.