Setting up new reef tank

[Nightscale]

I have a 120g 4x2x2 tank with overflow, im looking to turn this into a reef tank, i ave a few questions for u excellent ppl here.

I have 4 no fluro's on the tank atm (its got freshwater in it). Im looking to keep a few species of coral and fish in it. is this enought light?

Im going to build 2 skimmers for the 2 overflow pipes, will there be any problems with this setup.

For the sand base im looking to use some white river sand about 2-3 inches deep would this be ok.

Also i will be making the base rock myself (after seeing the garf rocks) i cant get the agronite sand would it be ok to sub it with shell grit?

Cheers.

 

[Anonymous]

Welcome to RDO, Nightscale.

1, depends on the coral, 4 NO may or may not be enough. In almost all the cases, it is not going to cut it with a tank of your size.

2, words of caution is that the water level will go higher if you put skimmer on overflow pipe. Make sure you have enough room to play with, and the skimmer is appropriately constructed so that if it got blocked by dead algae or other obstacles, the tank won't overflow.

3, you need to make sure teh river sand is clean and does not dissolve in saltwater to poison the tank, or interact with it chemically (and physical, since some sand dweller may not do well) to give you undesireable way.

4, Same with the shell grit. It can made to work, but you have to be careful there.

Without knowing the composition of your river sand and shell grit, it is impossible to tell you one way or the other. Good luck.

 

[Len]

Just wanted to give you an "offical" welcome. Not much to add to ck's excellent advice.

 

[Nightscale]

Thank for the info.

Will be keeping mainly soft and leather corals, nothing that needs super bright light.

Only going to have 6 fluro's and 2 atinic blues.

Will runn 2 skimmers in the sump but not off the overflow pipes.

Also have a pleum(sp?). in the tank as well.

Was going to make the basic structure out of bricks and put high quality live rock around the outside of it. Will be having gaps between the bricks of course. Would this be alright.

Cheers.