I'm goin' reef!

[jwtrojan44]

I've decided to change over one of my FO tanks to a reef set up. It's a 55 gal, up and running for about a year. It has a 4+ inch dsb, lots of pods. worms, etc.. I need to get more LR and will likely spend the better part of the next month simply aquascaping the thing with no fish in it. I plan to use PC lighting and my lfs carries a unit that will give me 4 watts per gallon. I have adequate circulation via 2 powerheads and a penguin 280 w/o the biowheel. I don't yet have a skimmer, nor is there a sump or a refugium. Being from the FO school, I have only rudimentary knowledge of these things. I'm looking at either a Remora Pro or a CPR Bakpak, the upgraded lighting, and...what else. I'd like to start of with just a couple relatively easy beginner corals so would appreciate suggestions here. The two skimmers mentioned were recommended to me on this board several mos. ago when I contemplated the same endeavor. As far as sumps? Suggestions, or can I run a succesful reef set up without one. Thanks in advance for any help. I've been looking forward to this aspect of the hobby for awhile, and want to do it right. JWT

[bongobrian]

Welcome to the wonderful world of reefing! or maybe I should say the wonderful headache of reefing just kidding. I don't know if there is a single reefer out there who has got everything "right" the first time. A lot of this hobby depends on trial and error and finding out what is best with your specific set up. I totally agree with you though, doing your homework by reading and talking to people is the best thing you could possibly do right now. It's something I never did at first and now I'm paying the price. I just wanted to comment on your skimmer decision. I have never had a Remora, but I have a BakPak and personally, I don't think it's worth the money. The Remora is a little more expensive, but I've heard they're worth it. You may also want to seriously consider a sump/refugium if you're planning on having fish and coral in the tank. It's extremely hard to balance nutrient import/export without one although some people have managed to do it. Everyone's tank is different, so different techniques work for some that do not work for others. Anyway, good luck! and remember, patience is the key.

[jwtrojan44]

Thanks Brian. I have heard good things about the Remora as well and will check into it more as the project progresses. With regards to a sump for a 55...would a ten gallon tank work? I happen to have a spare one sitting around (doesn't everybody?). I've seen plans on how to set them up but just wondered if I could have a decent one with a 10g. Thanks. JWT

[bongobrian]

Hard to say on the sump size... it all depends how much filtration your tank is going to require. Generally the more livestock you have, the more waste there is, and more filtration is required. I'd say the 10g would be bare minimum for a 55g that has fish in it. I probably wouldn't keep any more than 3 fish in a 55g with a 10g sump. If you're planning on really packing this tank full of fish, go with a bigger sump. I'm always a fan of upgrading to something larger even if you don't have to. That way there are no regrets and you'll have peace of mind. Rock on dude.

[mrok12]

I dont know a thing about the remora skimmers. The bak pak sucks hugely though. I have a euroreef and these skimmers are worth the money. I have also heard positive things about the berlin turbo skimmers. As for lighting: Watts per gallon are not watt they seem. You need to think about the quality of light as well as the quanity. You can get the same watts per gallon using 100 watt incadescent bulbs but the spectrum would not support reef life for too long. Try looking on line for some etailers: premium aquatics,lamps now,ocean encounters,aquatic technology,Marine Depot, are all reputable dealers of lighing and supplies. Chaa\nces are you will do better and get more light for your money this way. A couple 250 watt mh with pc's actinics would be sweet. Light is one of those thing that if you skimp now, you will pay latter. I also suggest getting Aquarium Corals, by Eric Borenman. GREAT BOOK.

Good luck in this adventure,
MROK12

[mrok12]

Beginner Corals. What type of corals do you intend to keep? Soft, large polyp, or sps? If soft I would recoomen mushroom polyps as they are pretty hardy. Large polyps: No recoomendations here, I started with a frogspawn and it is doing well. SPS: pavona or montipora digitalis. The montipora will probably stay brown as will most sps in your tank. Let me give you an example. My wife's tank is a 65 gallon breeder AGA reef ready. We started with 1-175 watt mh and 2-55 watt pc. roughly 4.5 watts per gallon. Not enough light to keep colors of any corals we bought. So I took the 2-250 watt bulbs off my 120,upgraded that tank with the 175 watt and 2-400 watt bulbs, make for a real flexible photo period too. now we have green acro's,blue acro's, purple monti's clams, ect. If economy is key here then use pfo fixtures, they make a good product. Check for them at the sites I listed in the previous post.

MROK12

[Iron Crab]

Looks like everyone else has you covered. If you don't mind I was just wondering what part of Pa your in.
I'm in Erie County.
Bill

[jwtrojan44]

I'm in Erie also. Actually live in southeast Erie. Where do you get your fish stuff? JWT

[rededteck]

Hello, I am also from Erie, West millcreek. I purchase fish from Steve at the Sea Cave. He has had the best variety and healthiest fish and corals.

[jwtrojan44]

Sea Cave rocks! I've been going there for years, even before Steve had the place but since he took it over, what a difference. I also go to Buzz 'n B's. Mike gets some decent stuff in from time to time. JWT

[Iron Crab]

Cool! I was wondering if there was anyone from around here on this board. I'm out in west county near the Ohio line.
Totally agree with the Seacave. Great place and people. When I stopped in after the new owners took over I think I went into shock on how great the place was. Steve has opened the Saltwater market up in Erie.
This last batch of Liverock they had was the best I've seen anywhere.
I've got all my tanks and a lot of stuff from Buzz & B's. Nice place. Great service.
I go to Mike's Tropical Fish out in Fairview sometimes. His tanks are not as clean but he is close and I never had any problems there.
Have you guys checked out Petco. I was not that thrill with the service when they first opened but I stopped in about a week ago and really liked the way I was treated. I ended up at the Seacave though.
Bill

[thezookeeper]

Hi guys. I'm in Pittsburgh. Do you have that number for SeaCave? I'd like to check it out sometime. How are their prices? Also, I have a AquaC Urchin Pro (it's the in sump version of the Remora Pro) and it's a very effective skimmer. HTH


Joanne

[Iron Crab]

They have a website.

http://www.seacaveinc.com/

Phone # 814-456-9445

Don't know what kind of prices you are use to but I found that a lot of the stuff in this hobby pricey compared to the on-line places.
I like to look at what I'm buying so I'll be getting my fish and corals from the area shops and I would say the Seacave have the best looking ones.

[jwtrojan44]

Prices do vary from store locally,but each one has it's benefits. I actually bought a purple firefish from petco six mos. ago and it is doing great. Also a bit cheaper. Zookeeper, definitely worth a trip to Sea Cave next time your up here. Cool that there are a few NW Pa. folks around. Any others? BTW, I was just at Sea Cave about an hour ago. He's got a big shipment coming in this week. Butterflies,TR clowns and other cool stuff. I'll be there a few times fer shur! JWT

[thezookeeper]

Thanks a bunch guys! I feel a road trip coming on!


Joanne

[jwtrojan44]

Thank you all for the replies. As stated, I'm just now selecting more LR. I did purchase a firefish for the tank, and he is in there with a juv. true perc and some blue legs. I hope to get the lights after the holidays, and then the skimmer. My water is crystal clear after getting rid of the eel and lion.
Mrok; I saw Borneman's book on corals at the lfs. I smell a gift certificate! The store is also carrying the Berlin skimmers, as well as prizms, CPR Bakpak, and Remora, so I'll have lots to choose from. I plan to keep the fish level low; pair of percs, firefish, pair of bangaii cards, and a Scott's Fairy Wrasse. It's kind of fun looking at the almost empty tank and envisioning what it could look like. "for everything else, there's MasterCard." I hope to post from time to time with updates and as always...more questions. JWT