Returning to Reef Tanks

Erik R · Feb 6, 2017

I used to have a fairly successful 55 gallon reef tank many years ago. I am now planning on returning and find that I have to pretty much re-learn everything since so much has changed.

Considering the great many tanks out there, I think the choice has been narrowed down to the Red Sea Max-E 170. It has pretty much everything needed to get started. From what I have seen in reviews it seems to do well, but in every one of those reviews they also add on lots of other things such as a Sump (Often converted into a refugium with cheato), as well as a dosing system.

Since its so easy to add a refugium to the 170, I was going to undergo this project (The evolution of my tank) in stages.
1) Basic tank (Stock), live rock, sand, yada yada good stuff to get the tank established. Basic fish (Clowns, tang), and a couple simple mushrooms.
2) Add refugium, lower lights, expand corals a bit, possibly a clam
3) possibly add dosing system, reef should be in an established maintenance mode by now

Has anyone made a reef in this tank? How does it perform without a sump and all the other bells and whistles? I really like the idea of a good healthy (If not ugly) refugium because of its phosphate cleaning potential, as well as the natural filtration they offer, so this is a definite go.

I am asking my questions to get an idea on timing/urgency for going from stage 1 to 2. My previous tank didnt ever have a refugium and it worked well for a long time until my phosphates built up too much. Water changes just could not keep up it seemed.

Maritimer · Feb 6, 2017

Welcome aboard, Erik!

I found myself in the same position, having last kept a "reef" tank in the late eighties.

To me your plan doesn't sound half bad ... getting to know your tank's ins and outs with a hearty and healthy crew providing interest and beauty, while you ease into the more intricate aspects.

I would note that the Max E-170 is a 37 gallon display, which is kind of small for just about any tang to really be happy . . . the good news is that along with all the new gadgets and toys, there are a whole lot of new fish available as well!

~Bruce

Erik R · Feb 7, 2017

Maritimer said:
Welcome aboard, Erik!

I found myself in the same position, having last kept a "reef" tank in the late eighties.

To me your plan doesn't sound half bad ... getting to know your tank's ins and outs with a hearty and healthy crew providing interest and beauty, while you ease into the more intricate aspects.

I would note that the Max E-170 is a 37 gallon display, which is kind of small for just about any tang to really be happy . . . the good news is that along with all the new gadgets and toys, there are a whole lot of new fish available as well!

~Bruce

Bruce, I only really want a couple fish. Probably more clowns than anything. Anemones, mushrooms, clam or two, balloons, that kind of thing.

The problem is that last time I had a tank, I tried to make a hang on the back refugium. It actually turned out quite nicely and worked extremely well with one HUGE exception. I used the wrong glue and the seam split. Water leaked on the floor, and the girlfriend was not happy. After a failed fix, I was convinced that taking down the tank was in the best interest of harmony.... Now with these new all self contained tanks and lots of control systems and overflow controls... hehehe me thinks its time. Anyway, this is why small may be an easier sell. I want to keep it 30-65 gallons. The 170 would fit nicely in a spot I have selected. Everything will be nice and hidden in the cabinet. No tubes, no wires, no filters poking out. Just a nice clear tank with lots of colorful things to stare at.