Want to Learn and Set Up a Reef Tank

[Melissa]

I would like to say hello to everyone, also this is my first message posted. I currently have a 29 gallon freswater tank, and have been keeping freshwater fish for 10 years or so.

I have just started looking into setting up a 29 gallon reef tank, with fish as I would not want a fish only tank. I have done some reading and have read that reef tanks have to have "Reef safe fish" so to speak, as certain fish will eat the reef?

Can anyone give me some advice on how to get started. Is a 29 gallon tank big enough? What kind of filter do I buy. (I'm really confused about this.) And does a reef tank have to have a sump?

Thanks
Melissa

 

[fishfanatic2]

Well, you should always get the biggest tank you can afford.

 

[Len]

Hi Melissa, and ...

Fishfanatic is right. The bigger the tank, the easier it is to keep since more water = more stability. But a 29 gallon is also not a bad size to start out with. Rest assured, you'll want to get a bigger one someday

You don't need a sump for a 29 gallon. A sump is very useful, especially for bigger tanks. But it's not required and it might be more of a headache then it's worth for you. I recommend you go with just a good hang-on protein skimmer like the AquaC remora. That's all the filtration you'll need. People nowdays usually rely on their live rock and sand for the natural biological filtration and use a good protein skimmer to assist. That's it; nice and simple

Other then that, you'll need a few powerheads for water movement and good lights. For a 29 gallon, you can go with powercompacts, T-5s, VHO fluorescents, or metal halides. The more lights, the better (so long as you can keep the tank cool). Lighting is probably the most confusing/debated piece of equipmenet

If you haven't already, look at the Information guide thread found near the top of this forum. It's got a TON of good info for new reefkeepers and is a great starting place.

 

[Melissa]

Thanks Len. Just curious what is an overflow? Is that the same thing as a SUMP?

And also, can I keep fish in a Reef Tank?


Thanks,
Melissa

 

[ChrisRD]

Melissa,

An overflow is a box (usually made of acrylic or plastic) where water can overflow to a drain which is usually plumbed to a sump (another watertight container) where it can be treated with various forms of filtration. One of the purposes of this setup is to collect water from the surface of the tank where organics and floating particles tend to collect.

A sump, as mentioned above, is another container that holds water. A wide variety of stuff can be used as a sump including buckets, plastic containers, glass aquariums, acrylic boxes/tanks, etc.

You can definitely keep fish in a reef tank! Not all fish are "reef safe" as some will bother inverts/corals, but there is a very wide array of colorful species that are ideal candidates.

HTH