Best filtration for starting a reef tank?

[Jermey Clark]

I’ve been out of the aquarium seen for 6 yrs. I quite smoking 3 weeks ago for me and my family. I’m getting back into the hobby because I love the challenge and wide verity of things u could do. I love to learn and teach my kids how a reef system works.

 

[dbl]

Welcome to R2R and your new reefing family. And welcome back to the hobby.

 

[Jermey Clark]

Thx.

 

[Jermey Clark]

Thx.

 

[Jermey Clark]

What the best way to go when starting a new tank. I have a 90 gal tank. I don’t have the filtration I want but I’ll have to make it work.

 

[irish02bk]

is it an RR tank?

sump, skimmer is simplest setup in my opinion

 

[Jermey Clark]

No it’s not. That what I want but need to save money for it. Unless I can drill holes in it?

 

[irish02bk]

No it’s not. That what I want but need to save money for it. Unless I can drill holes in it?

if its not tempered glass you can drill holes in it.

 

[Jermey Clark]

Ok well it at least 10 yrs old or more. I got it free from a customer of mine. Nothing like a free tank. And yes I did check for leaks and cleaned it out as well. I don’t think it is but not going to take any chances.

 

[sneub]

Welcome aboard, I would read and ask questions before you get started.
Check out Bulk Reef Supply's videos. Loads of information!
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/video/

 

[Orm Embar]

I'd say the simplest filtration is live rock with a bit of sand on the bottom and either a sump with refugium/light for chaeto macroalgae, or just adding some dragon's breath or gracilaria to the main tank.

 

[Mandelstam]

If you want to make it educational for your kids as well I would recommend going as natural as possible. Refugium with macro algae. Live rock, sand bed, maybe other zones or refugiums too like a cryptic zone. Xenia refugium? Large and varied clean up crew.

 

[Jermey Clark]

If you want to make it educational for your kids as well I would recommend going as natural as possible. Refugium with macro algae. Live rock, sand bed, maybe other zones or refugiums too like a cryptic zone. Xenia refugium? Large and varied clean up crew.

How to make it that way when I don’t have predrilled holes. I know there are ways but I’m working with a budget right now. I don’t even have it up and running yet.

 

[Mandelstam]

How to make it that way when I don’t have predrilled holes. I know there are ways but I’m working with a budget right now. I don’t even have it up and running yet.

Try to find out if you have tempered glass or not. If you don't, drilling isn't a big problem or difficult.

Finding cheap used tanks or other containers to use as a sump can also be done fairly easily.

As a start and what won't require any expensive lighting etc is to use live rock and sand. Curing and establishing that takes some time and adding additional filtration and lights can be done later. I would focus on getting the tank and plumbing figured out so you don't have to change any of that further down the road.

Go slow and let every step take its time. That enables you to spread out the costs too. No need to buy expensive lights for instance if you don't have anything in the tank that needs it yet.

 

[Jermey Clark]

Try to find out if you have tempered glass or not. If you don't, drilling isn't a big problem or difficult.

Finding cheap used tanks or other containers to use as a sump can also be done fairly easily.

As a start and what won't require any expensive lighting etc is to use live rock and sand. Curing and establishing that takes some time and adding additional filtration and lights can be done later. I would focus on getting the tank and plumbing figured out so you don't have to change any of that further down the road.

Go slow and let every step take its time. That enables you to spread out the costs too. No need to buy expensive lights for instance if you don't have anything in the tank that needs it yet.

Thanks. Definitely will do that. How can u tell if the glass is tempered? It doesn’t have any tint to it at all. And it’s about 1/2” think too

 

[Mandelstam]

Thanks. Definitely will do that. How can u tell if the glass is tempered? It doesn’t have any tint to it at all. And it’s about 1/2” think too

Do a search on google or on R2R, I've never had to do it myself but there are ways using polaroid glasses and a laptop screen etc. I'm sure there are YouTube videos that explains it too.

 

[Jermey Clark]

Do a search on google or on R2R, I've never had to do it myself but there are ways using polaroid glasses and a laptop screen etc. I'm sure there are YouTube videos that explains it too.

Ok

 

[count krunk]

Odds are very good that the bottom is tempered and the sides are not. If the sides are tempered, then you can do a HOB overflow.

 

[Jermey Clark]

Could I make HOB overflow or buy it?

 

[Jermey Clark]

Also how could I make a Refugium on a budget?