getting overwhelmed again. PLZ help.

[chadmcd]

OK so I have been running this 48gal bow front (sorry for bad pic) Live rock with fish only for the last few years with a hob skimmer, old biowheel filter and a canister. Have not had too many problems (except during my lazy streaks). I am now going to add a sump/refugium with an internal skimmer and get rid of the other filters and move to a reef system with only a few fish (for now). I feel comfortable with everything except the chemistry testing Ca, No3, No2, NH3 PH etc. I am overwhelmed with testing, dosing.....ARRRGH. I would LOVE some input on testing methods (brands/systems) and dosing systems (pumps etc.), I assume if I have to low or to high of an amount on any of them I am going to kill something. Should I run, or am I worrying too much over something I just don't fully understand yet. Thank you in advance for any help.
Signed, Clueless in MN :squigglemouth:

 

[Kano]

What fish and corals you plan on keeping have a large impact on how difficult your tank will be to keep up. Are you making your own salt water now or just buying it from the store? An oversized skimmer is always a good idea. Having a stable tank is a lot more important than the numbers (unless it's a SPS dominant tank). If you're doing a simple mixed reef bi-monthly water changes should keep the trace elements in your water high enough to where you shouldn't have issues. FOWLR to a mixed reef you just need to make sure you have enough lighting for the corals would be the major change. What do you currently test for in your system?

 

[chadmcd]

As I am researching, it appears if I went with zoas and softies to start I shouldn't have that much of a problem. I make my own water (without an RO system), so that is something else I am looking at. I usually only look at Nitates, nitrites, PH, and ammonia. Fish are not a major concern, just keep one clown fish for now then look at more later. I am really after color and movement. I would consider my tank very stable, 46 gal. with approx 70 lbs of live rock helps.

 

[Kano]

Euphyllia corals like torches, frogspawn, etc are the easiest way to add color and movement. I'd stay away from anthelia because it'll spread and invade everywhere. Xenia will add some movement but keep it isolated if you like it because it spreads like crazy and can become hard to get rid of. An anemone would also add some color and your clown will hopefully host it. MarvinsReef has a great looking tank with anemones and torches that he keeps updated. As long as you keep your fish load low you shouldn't have any issues. I'd go with RO/DI water and a salt mix because tap does add a lot of random things you do not want in your tank. I used to use tap water but have switched and would never use tap water again. I have less algae issues and the tank appears more stable/happy. Just start slow with a few things and wait a week or two. If everything appears happy then odds are you're safe to add more whenever you see something you like. Your tank will fill up fast once you start adding corals so make sure you give them room to grow and be picky with what you get.

 

[Aquaph8]

Chad, get the RODI system going first, it'll be your best purchase. Starting with soft and some easier LPS corals is a great place to start. Focus on learning the relationship between Cal/Alk and keep them stable. Keeping your Alk in the 9ish range is a good place to start. Get you some cheap API test kits for calcium and KH(alk) as they will be good enough for now.

 

[robert]

Chad, get the RODI system going first, it'll be your best purchase. Starting with soft and some easier LPS corals is a great place to start. Focus on learning the relationship between Cal/Alk and keep them stable. Keeping your Alk in the 9ish range is a good place to start. Get you some cheap API test kits for calcium and KH(alk) as they will be good enough for now.

Great advice -

I started exactly as chad - HOB skimmer, bio-wheel, canister filter - no sump. I now have a sump, good skimmer, denitrator etc. Looking back, the single best improvement was getting the RODI unit. It was one of the last things I changed - it should have been the first - good water is the foundation of every successful tank.

 

[jformani]

With a tank that size I dont think you really need to dose, just keep up with water changes and you should be fine. 15-20% a week will keep the levels up and your tank clean!

 

[chadmcd]

Thanks everyone, panic attack averted. Now my next issue I ran into today is looking into my sump system, I am really regretting my bowfront. With the 46 gal the base curves in (obviously), and there is almost no room to fit a decent sump in. Now I am looking at larger aquarium with drains. Not sure if I will find a good one cheap, but I am going to start looking.

 

[Loki]

My friend had a 46 gallon tank and I know he had a sump under it. It wasn't much of one. If I remember correctly a 29 gallon tank would be an ideal fit and you can put the baffles in at the places you want.

It sounds like a task but it's really easy once you get going. You can go to a local glass store with the tank. Have them measure it and they will cut it for you. Then just get some silicone and make a sump. I did my 40 breeder sumps this way and I have a total of $120 in my two sump design.

If you decide to do this and you need any help let me know. I'll be more than happy to walk you through the steps as best I can.

 

[Loki]

And if you want a larger tank. See if your local petco has a $1 per gallon sale. If so you can snag a 55 gallon tank for $55. Other than that keep an eye on craigslist and see if anyone is selling out.

 

[Loki]

Sorry for all of the posts. You can also drill your tank if you wanted. Or you can look into a CPR overflow. These are all just options that I am throwing at you to not have to shut down a tank and restart.

 

[chadmcd]

Post, away! And thanks for the input. It helped me, I was going to buy a 75 gal today, but after I thought about starting the tank over and reading your advise, I think I will just build a smaller one to fit. Thanks, greatly appreciated.

 

[bluwinghawk]

take your time get as much input as possible the peeps here helped me greatly, b4 you make a dicession imo bigger is better i had a 55 went to 65 dt and converted 30 to a sump went with 65 just so i could have an internal overflow this time and a lil more space and when there a power failure i dont worry about floods anymore the sump was easy enough with silacone and cd props the next thing was lighting i went with a led kits jury still out on this one lol and i also converted from tap to rodi unit and i love it started in jan just started to notice refrugium getting red alge dt nothing i use api test kits and quick tabs for a quick view salt around 1.025 in the process of setting up controller to leds once thats done i probaly will love em hope this help happy reefing and remember deep breaths lol