Brand New To Reefing... Need Major Help

DangerClose · Jan 31, 2022

Hey Guys.
I am brand new to the hobby, had fresh water tanks for years and this seems like a massive step up in care and I am really looking forward to the challenge.
I have a 75 Gallon tank and a 30 gallon sump.
I have an Eshopps 120 skimmer and a eflux pump. (I still have to do all the plumbing, but not worried about that)
I have a bunch of questions and I was hoping you fine people will be able to help me out.

Question 1:
Do I have to paint/cover the back of my tank black?
Question 2:
How far should my overflow for my sump be from the return from the pump? opposite sides of the tank, or does it not really matter?
Question 3:
How long do I wait to add copepods and other bacteria to my tank after I first start my tank up?
Question 4:
What kind of tests should I be doing in my water in the first 2 weeks?
Question 5:
How long should I wait to add a refugium or can I have one on day one, or wait until I have utilitarian fish and inverts in the tank?
Question 6:
How long do I wait to add my first fish/animal life?
Question 7:
I am getting a lot of mixed answers, do I add invertebrates first then the fish or both at the same time.
Question 8:
I have seen 50 best invertebrates for beginner videos, but how many of these buggers should I get at first for my tank?
Question 9:
I am getting mixed answers about lights, how long should I wait to add lights to my tank? I am told about 4 months. I plan on growing corals, but don't want to set up lights too early and cause a lot of algae problems
Question 10:
How long do I wait to add a charcoal bag and can I add it into the refugium or should I add it elsewhere?

I really appreciate all the help. I want to do this right the first time. Thanks guys

vetteguy53081 · Jan 31, 2022

DangerClose said:
Hey Guys.
I am brand new to the hobby, had fresh water tanks for years and this seems like a massive step up in care and I am really looking forward to the challenge.
I have a 75 Gallon tank and a 30 gallon sump.
I have an Eshopps 120 skimmer and a eflux pump. (I still have to do all the plumbing, but not worried about that)
I have a bunch of questions and I was hoping you fine people will be able to help me out.

Question 1:
Do I have to paint/cover the back of my tank black?
Question 2:
How far should my overflow for my sump be from the return from the pump? opposite sides of the tank, or does it not really matter?
Question 3:
How long do I wait to add copepods and other bacteria to my tank after I first start my tank up?
Question 4:
What kind of tests should I be doing in my water in the first 2 weeks?
Question 5:
How long should I wait to add a refugium or can I have one on day one, or wait until I have utilitarian fish and inverts in the tank?
Question 6:
How long do I wait to add my first fish/animal life?
Question 7:
I am getting a lot of mixed answers, do I add invertebrates first then the fish or both at the same time.
Question 8:
I have seen 50 best invertebrates for beginner videos, but how many of these buggers should I get at first for my tank?
Question 9:
I am getting mixed answers about lights, how long should I wait to add lights to my tank? I am told about 4 months. I plan on growing corals, but don't want to set up lights too early and cause a lot of algae problems
Question 10:
How long do I wait to add a charcoal bag and can I add it into the refugium or should I add it elsewhere?

I really appreciate all the help. I want to do this right the first time. Thanks guys

1- I use black construction paper from Walmart-also water resistant
2- the gph flow from pump will determine distance. Typical is 4-6ft
3- once tank fully cycled and some algae is present
4- ammonia and nitrate-NO API test kits occasionally- ph and salinity
5- after cycling.
6- once ammonia is stable- about 4 weeks
7- first the fish. Inverts need a food source also
8- start with a dozen mixed such as astrea, nerite, and turbo grazer
9- you can run lights day one- just don’t have them bright yet
10- charcoal- about 2-4 weeks after fish introduced

lapin · Jan 31, 2022

Question 1:
Do I have to paint/cover the back of my tank black?
No

Question 2:
How far should my overflow for my sump be from the return from the pump? opposite sides of the tank, or does it not really matter?
The futher apart they are the better. You dont want return water going straight into the sump.

Question 3:
How long do I wait to add copepods and other bacteria to my tank after I first start my tank up?
As soon as it is cycled you can add pods. Add bacteria day 1

Question 4:
What kind of tests should I be doing in my water in the first 2 weeks?
Salinity, Temp, Ammonia

Question 5:
How long should I wait to add a refugium or can I have one on day one, or wait until I have utilitarian fish and inverts in the tank?
Wait until you see stuff growing on the rocks. You know then you have nutrients.

Question 6:
How long do I wait to add my first fish/animal life?
Hold out until you see stuff growing on the rocks

Question 7:
I am getting a lot of mixed answers, do I add invertebrates first then the fish or both at the same time.
Does not matter

Question 8:
I have seen 50 best invertebrates for beginner videos, but how many of these buggers should I get at first for my tank?
I would get a few snails of differnt types. Some live in the sand and others like rocks and some like the glass.
Until you have green stuff growing they will have nothing to eat

Question 9:
I am getting mixed answers about lights, how long should I wait to add lights to my tank? I am told about 4 months. I plan on growing corals, but don't want to set up lights too early and cause a lot of algae problems
After your tank has cycled give it a week or two. Stuff is going to grow when the lights come on no matter how long you wait

Question 10:
How long do I wait to add a charcoal bag and can I add it into the refugium or should I add it elsewhere?
You can add it right away. It will help clear your water. The fuge is fine. You can even put some in a filter sock for better flow thru.