The further I dig, the deeper it gets.

[Scoopy]

I had stated a while back, Im starting a reef, after being out of the hobby for about 6-7 years. I have been soaking this stuff up like a sponge. The only problem is, now Im really confused to what method to use.

Here are my known facts that I will be using.
75 gallon tank
ro/di filter for first fill and topoff/water changes
sump
refugium
mh + vho lighting
powerheads/wavemakers for water circulation

This is all Im for sure about.
I dont know exactly what to do about the tank,
Drilled or overflow, I think drilled would be better.
Deep sand bed or bare bottom?
if I go bb, then do I want dsb in the fuge?
what else goes in the fuge?
how big a fuge?
how much sump?
Im thinking I should get a calcium reactor?
This is a big one... to skim or not to skim?


I have read so many contradicting elements in the last couple of weeks, I dont know where to start. There are people swearing and being successful on almost every type of system.

I want to do this right, and have the patience to wait until I have all the parts before I start building/plumbing. Im just not sure what is right.

Can anyone shed some light on this for me? 8O

Thanks
Scoop

 

[Digiman]

I am also going to be setting up a 75 gallon reef as well. I have used the overflow for years, although as it works fine, it takes up space and it can be a little noisy; so I am looking in to drilling my glass tank for both input and output.

As far as the deep sand bed in the reef, I think it is what ever you prefer. I personally like the look of the sand being there, just make sure that you put your base rock in first before you put your sand in, so that critters don't create an avalanche of LR by digging under it. If you don't put it in the tank, I would definately put it in the fuge either way. You could have your fuge and sump all in one tank, saving some room under your 75 gal. by using bafles. I would say a 30 gal long would probably be ok, using the middle for the fuge and the ends as input and output.

You probably won't need a calcium reactor right away depending on what kind and how many corals you will be keeping. For the most part daily dosing of something like Tech CB A+B would be fine.

As for the skimming, I would not setup a tank larger than about 30 gallons without a skimmer unless you are willing to do a lot of water changes.

Hope that helps,
Digiman

 

[J.Howard]

You can have a sand bottom w/o it being a DSB. 1-2 in.of sand will work and you could always put a real deep DSB in the fuge. I personally like the look of a sandy bottom and the reflected light from it doesn't hurt either. On the skim thing...you're right, people have had success both ways. Maybe skim at first then decide later if you want to discontinue or reduce skimming...just a thought.

 

[Anonymous]

I think you're getting a little ahead of yourselves, fellas. First, decide what you want to keep. Once you make that determination much will be practically decided for you (like that lighting and calcium reactor). As for overflows, look into Durso-style overflow, I think many would agree that it's among one of the best methods for achieving surface skimming and keeping things pretty quiet.

As for skimming, if you've got a decently sized refugium you actually can get away with no skimming. "Decently sized", to get away with no skimming, for me, would begin with about 1/3 the tank volume. I will always advocate refugia, always. If you decide you must have a skimmer, then definitely buy THE best skimmer you possibly can, make it the first and last time you buy one.

 

[Scoopy]

I want your typical looking reef. A pile of live rock, with whatever coral I can get ahold of stacked all over the tank. I guess sps,lps and even soft corals. I love the look of a tank where you can see nothing but corals. And just a few fish, 3-5 that would be good for an established reef. Whatever cleanup critters may be needed, but mostly, I want the bright lights, and many many corals. I know this will most likely be a 5 year project, and am not in any hurry to get it done, but I want to be sure I know exactly what I need, and get exactly what I need before I ever mix my first batch of salt water. It may be next year before I do that. I have plans on getting just the tank, then building the stand and hood, building in mh,vho, and rope light into the hood, setting up all the plumbing for a fuge and sump. Getting all of the goodies for both. When I have it all, then I will probably buy a few pound of live sand, get some fill sand, get some base rock, buy some live rock, and let it all sit for about 6 months before I add any coral or fish. Before then, I may end up with on of the kits for the fuge (macros, and critters) and may get some critters for the main tank. These are my plans, but there still are many many questions that I have. If I keep reading, maybe Ill get it sometime.


Thanks for the input.
Scoop

 

[Sprattoo]

Heres a few cents of more confusion.

I have found almost as many different people keep Tanks there about that many ways to approach Marine tanks. When I first began with Salt Water tanks I was faced with... go with what the LFS told me ((bad bad bad idea)). But some very different ways have had good results. It can be very confusing. I saw many different tanks set-up many different ways.

That you are reading through reefs.org will help you make an educated and healthy tank decision whatever way you go.

I personally think that no matter what the more sand and water you have ... the better.

also as a note:
I ran my skimmer for a week 3 or 4 weeks ago.. got a bunch of skimmate as I expected.

Put in a handful of Calurpa (sp?) macro in my 'fuge 2 weeks and ran my skimmer for a week afterward with far less / negligible skimmate this week.

 

[bookfish]

I think I would advise you to get the new Calfo/Fenner book "Reef Invertebrates" I like the sections (whole sections, not just a couple of pages) on sand beds, refugia and infauna selection and culture. I also appreciate that they recognise that there are many ways of doing things "right".
Personally, I would advise you that keeping mixed displays of lps, sps and softies is harder than more targeted displays like all sps or all softies etc... Also try to get corals with similar polyp shapes and size, they'll all likely eat the same size food so you'll only need 6 different foods instead of 20!-Jim