Just starting out

[Michael Stephenson]

So I have decided on doing my first reef tank but I want it to be as successful as possible(sumpless). I have 36×12×20 39gal tank plan to do a 4in deep sand bed 55# of reef save 2.1 rock, hob reef octopus 100 or 1000, hob refugium and either 2 radion x15 or the new kessil ap700 unsure on lights but one of the 2. I decided to go hob cause skm/refugium just cause my tank is not drilled and can't be and everything I've read about sumps on none drilled tanks seems to be bad. So just wondering if I'm headed In the right direction. Plus already have rodi dew to the fact I use it for my panther chameleons mist system

 

[DeniseAndy]

Can I ask why you want a 4in sand bed? Will you be housing a sand dwelling fish?

Nothing wrong with HOB items except eventually, you will probably get annoyed with them. It is much cleaner to have a sump, but if it is not possible, at least you are using a protein skimmer and refugium. You can use a sump without being drilled, but it is a bit more risky. Basically, you need an overflow system the will not fail (no such thing). There are many out there and I have built a couple of my own. However, I would go this route first and IF you decide, oops, WHEN you decide to upgrade, you can go sump then.

 

[joshkirkland83]

So I have decided on doing my first reef tank but I want it to be as successful as possible(sumpless). I have 36×12×20 39gal tank plan to do a 4in deep sand bed 55# of reef save 2.1 rock, hob reef octopus 100 or 1000, hob refugium and either 2 radion x15 or the new kessil ap700 unsure on lights but one of the 2. I decided to go hob cause skm/refugium just cause my tank is not drilled and can't be and everything I've read about sumps on none drilled tanks seems to be bad. So just wondering if I'm headed In the right direction. Plus already have rodi dew to the fact I use it for my panther chameleons mist system

Off the subject, but why do you use rodi for chameleon? Ive kept them for 15 years and you never use that because its stripped of all minerals. It can lead to major health problems...

 

[Michael Stephenson]

I watched a few videos and been reading on deep sand beds and after its established is a huge help in keeping your tank healthy and keeps your maintenance low

 

[twilliard]

Hi and welcome to R2R!
Sounds like you are on a good starting point.
The sand bed though may be an issue later if it is that deep!
Good husbandry with a shallow bed would be perfect

 

[Michael Stephenson]

Your suppose to us distilled water in yor mist systems so instead of buying 20 gals a mthn I use rodi water never have had a prblm very healthy chameleons

 

[KJ]

Welcome to R2R

 

[DeniseAndy]

Well, that is one crazy subject of sand bed, but from my experience, 4 inches is not enough for a deep sand bed to actually be effective, but more importantly, you are taking up a huge part of your tank with sand. If you only have 20" height and 2 or so is lost to space and top of tank and a bit under, 4" of sand, you have only 14" to play with for rock and corals. Just seems a bit of a waste. Again, JMO

I would put the DSB in the refugium and make sure it is actually 6 inches. Again, just from my experience with my tanks. I had deep sand bed that I had to remove. Not fun. Plus, they are not just lay and forget. They take maintenance and the correct maintenance to be effective. Read a bit more on them. I would just hate to see you lose the room you will want back when you get into corals more.

 

[Michael Stephenson]

That's why I'm posting to find out what to and not to do so thanks for the advice. Only plan to have a few fish 5 or so but want it to be a lps dominant tank

 

[DeniseAndy]

I love lps. What types? Me, I prefer the brains. I think I may be part zombie...

Favia, favites, platys, trachys, scolys, lobos are some of my favs.

 

[Michael Stephenson]

Scolys and brains love looking at them and a ton zoanthids they come in so many brite beautiful colors

 

[DeniseAndy]

Only thing to remember, we see all these amazing pictures of zoas and other corals too, but they are close ups with great lenses and good photographers. Make sure you like the looks of the zoa from how you see it (through glass/acrylic, in a tank, from the side). Many people are disappointed when they see them in their tanks because they cannot see all those colors. However, under the right conditions, they are just as beautiful and amazing to the naked eye.

 

[Michael Stephenson]

One other thing I want to know about is when I'm getting my tank setup how long can I run it without the lights no fish or coral

 

[brandon429]

Live rock does not require human additions for a long time, so it will be fine as you build. Its not the case that we have to pump ammonia to it to keep it alive, we can be hands off months and you are talking weeks or less

 

[Michael Stephenson]

Well I will have everything mid Oct except my light won't have them till Christmas time so it will be ok to have it setup without light for about 2mnth with no fish or coral in it