Looking for guidance from the pros and creative

[Ratpack]

Since my current and first reef tank is the result of converting a FO tank over, I still need to get the crushed coral out and put in sand. So I plan to do this but perhaps after the holidays when my schedule isn't so busy. That way all my current corals will have been in there at least 2 1/2 months. Right now they are some only a few days old in my tank so uprooting things seems a little risky at this point. So, what I want to do is start the planning stages. Below is a current view of my tank. It is a 47 gal cube 20x20x27. When I do change it out, I thought about redoing the aquascape. So that is my question, how would you layout the LR in this size tank? I may even venture into using a PVC frame to help build it up.

[Reefland]

Hi Ratpack,

This may be a good time to consider:
1. Perhaps adding a sump (help to remove some equipment out of the display).
2. The aquascaping (which isn't too bad right now really).

That is kind of a difficult size tank to work with due to the height.

[Ratpack]

Not too worried about a sump, plus it would have to fit in the current stand and right now that houses the electronics for the lights. The wife let me upgrade to this tank and it was the only size and shape to fit the same location as the one we had, which was a 15 gal cube. Later on I plan to get a larger one once this one is full of corals and growing. Some of the equipement will be coming out or at least look better. I have some Koralia 1 pumps to replace the powerheads that are there now. The other piece is the heater, which I can do a better job of hiding when I get the chance. And then there is the fluval canister filter which doesn't run unless I put some carbon in it and run it for a couple days to "clean" up the water a little. But, like I say, I am good with everything but the powerheads and those should be gone soon.

What I mostly need help with is aquascaping, and your right, I kind of like it the way it is. Also, the wife requires some open area for fish to swim. Maybe my dilema is more of not knowing how to attach corals and what can go next to each other. Do most people epoxy the coral to a rock or lay it on another rock? If you epoxy, how do you get them aprat later to move to another tank or trade them out? I hope no one gets bothered by all my questions, but since I am new to reefs, I am trying to learn everything I can.

One other thing, it is lit with two Current dual PC lights with 2 dual daylight bulbs and 2 dual actinic bulbs. I am thinking of adding a MH in place of one of the fixtures and using the PC for actinic only. Most of the corals I have are leather, zoo and mushrooms. Would the 150w HQI MH be too much for them? Would this be enough to grow some higher corals such as acros? Or would I be better off with what I have now and stick to lower light corals until I can upgrade to a bigger tank.

This hobby may kill me yet!!!!

[Samper]

I use super glue gel to attach lps and sps corals. For softies I either use a rubberband or a toothpick. Either can be done out of the tank or inside it. Personally I prefer when using superglue to take them out and dry off the piece or rubble and the frag before gluing but that isn't always possible depending on the size of rock you're using and its location in the display. I'm still learning what can go next to each other and what can't. Some corals physically compete using their mesentaries or nematocysts and others use chemical defenses and some use a combination. Competition in the wild is very cut throat and much of it isn't fully understood. Some corals will grow into each other and form a boundary line that neither will cross. Other corals can and will kill for territory on the reef. I try to keep all of them isolated and will move things if I need to but once they start growing in the display combat is often unavoidable. I've had to kill some softies using limewater injections and frag or move lps to keep problems to a minimum.

If you ever need to move them you will have to remove the entire rock and if you want to trade it's best to just frag pieces from the mother colony.

The 150w metal halide could benefit you in some ways but you may have to rearrange some corals to a lower level. I ran a 250w halide over a 20 gallon tank and heat can become an issue so keep ventilation in mind. I would prefer for you to get some t5's instead.

It is hard to keep acros in a smaller system but it can be done you just have to really stay on top of water chemistry.

[Ratpack]

Thanks Samper,
I think I have decided to stick with what I have for right now. If these corals I have grow like I think they will, they will fill out my tank in a short time, believe it or not there are 10 corals in there right now. Also, if I buy a MH for this tank, chances are it wouldn't be usable on a larger tank and that is my goal. So I will work with this one without spending a lot of money that can't transfer and learn what I can. Then in the near future, perhaps get the bigger tank and let'er rip!!

But I still have to look at replacing the CC with the sand bed.