Starting a reef tank will be needing advice! With pics

[Qh2214]

Hey just starting a reef tank in a 20g long. I just changed out all the pebbles I originally had in there and moved to live sand with some live rock now in the tank! I will definitely be needing some advice as I move further along in the process. Trying to figure out what good beginner corals LPS, softies, and anemones. I'll be using LED lighting as well! Of course I realize anemones aren't beginner but I want an easy to care one for my clown fish, also have a red striped angel fish. Thanks!

 

[danangelo]

I recommend you cycle the tank and let it build proper beneficial bacteria and do a lot of research and be patient if you set up a proper environment you can keep things easy it takes stability and lots of reading and learning it would help also if you give detail information of you tank like filtration you're using or what your parameters are and flow, light etc etc..

 

[Qh2214]

Trust me if I could of kept my clown and red striped angel out I would of just college student on a budget hah. I've got a mini skimmer in there right now, a L hang on back filter, powerhead 550 gph, LEDs (not on there yet) with 3800 lumens, 50 watt heater. I've been putting bacteria in it from a reef tank already been established for a year. So far my tank hasn't had any spikes granted it's only been like 6 hours but I'm stoked about it!

 

[danangelo]

Its only been 6 hours since you filled it with water?

 

[Qh2214]

Noo haha sorry it had only been 6 hours since I put the live rock and live sand in. The tank has been up and running for about 2 months now

 

[cpayne015]

tank is way too new for an anemone

 

[SantaMonica]

Try a bubble coral, or xenia, instead of the nem for now.

 

[Qh2214]

When do you think tanks are matured enough for a nem? Cool I'll look into those two as my first corals. Do you have to feed those? Sorry don't know much about coral.

 

[tigerdragon]

Give it a couple of more months since its so soon since adding sand and rock

 

[melypr1985]

I've been told to wait at least 6 months after your tank is cycled to add a nem. I'm hoping to get one too!

 

[tigerdragon]

Really depends on the stability of your sys

 

[Qh2214]

Will do! Should be getting my LED light Wednesday!

 

[Qh2214]

Awesome thank you guys for the advice! Just picked up two pieces of rock today made a cave type of swim through for my angel!

 

[SantaMonica]

Nice rock pieces. And I agree with the shallow sand.

 

[Qh2214]

Thanks! Ya I figured I'd go shallow rather then deep. Also just curious what is the best salinity to keep your tank at for corals? I've heard between .021 and .023 then I was told yesterday by one of the biggest tanks in my county that .025 is the best amount and what he keeps all his tanks at. Advice??

 

[heathd.hd]

.024 - .o26 is satisfactory. .025 is goal

 

[Dixie_reefer]

Try some frogspawn/ hammer/torch corals. Some clowns will be hosted by them, depends on the clown. Zoas, duncans, candy cane, leathers, and mushrooms are pretty easy too.

 

[Qh2214]

Awesome! My water test had me at Nh3/Nh4: .25 NO2: .25 NO3: 20 PH: 8.0 KH: 7 so looks like I'm still cycling right now but picked up some hermits and snails too.

 

[Dixie_reefer]

Don't add any coral or more fish until you're done cycling. Watch your fish for signs of stress. If they start acting lethargic and breathing heavily, you may have to take them out.

 

[Qh2214]

Yup will do! Will post a pic of LED lighting tomorrow