Starting a Small Reef Tank

[T.W.]

In January I will begin my exciting adventure into creating a reef aquarium. I am planning on a small 6 gallon set up to start. I have a 20 gallon tank I got for free but the cost to set that one up spooked my Wife a bit! So I figured I would start small and once she see's the fruits of the labor she will most likely sign off the larger tank setup.

So I was doing some research and came across some equipment at my LFS.
Fluval Edge 6 gal
21 LED Day/Night Lighting
3 stage Power Filter
Hydor Koralia Nano (240gph) Powerhead
TopFin 50W Submersible Heater
Standarard Floating thermometer (suctions to inside Glass)
Live Sand (15lbs or 1-1/2" - 2" base)
Live Rock (8lbs)
Total cost to start up is around $230 U.S.

I am not so sure that my local "big name" Fish Stores will have a quality Live Rock so I continue to look into where to get that (suggestions welcome)

I am wanting the focus to be LPS and Soft corals as I read here on R2R forums that those are the more forgiving for beginners. I will put only 1 fish or possibly 2 smaller ones but focus strongly on the Corals.

Any constructive advice about my planned setup will be greatly appreciated!! And yes I am aware that I will be exercising my patience with this hobby.
T.W.

 

[Steven R]

What type of Lighting are you planning on?I know you said LED but what kind and how many of each blue/white/royal blue etc etc. and what are you doing for filtration ( the most important ) I would stay away from any type of canister and go with a cpr back pack or something of that caliber, and also what about a skimmer if you do not have one in mind I have a Tunze 9002 nano skimmer that would help you out and we could work something out if needed, As far as sand i would go with 4 inches minimum so it is a functioning sand bed. and I also recommend a book called Maine chemistry by C.J brightwell awesome book and will explain all chemistry Marine Chemistry: Chris R. Brightwell: 9780793805747: Amazon.com: Books if anything else hit me up on pm. and good luck with the obsession

 

[Steven R]

OH and welcome to R2R alot of great smart SW vets on here that will help with whatever you need, happy reefing

 

[T.W.]

This is the description of the Lighting that comes with the tank: "Powerful bright white 7600K high liuminosity LED's with 3 deep blue night-time light LED's".

As for the Filter I'm not sure which of their filters they include but their website says this about the filter that comes with the aquarium:

""Stage One is a mechanical foam filter that removes particles and debris from the water.""Stage Two is a chemical filter carbon insert that absorbs odours, discolorations and impurities from the water."
"Stage Three is biological media that aids in the colonization of the good bacteria that converts waste in nutrients."

As for the skimmer, I have read that you can just do a weekly water change in lieu of the skimmer since it is a small tank. Not sure how a protein skimmer would fit on this tank if I decided to go that route..

I have also read that a 6 gallon might be a bit harder to maintain for a first tank. Is a 20g a better way to go? I could use the 20g tank I have already it would just take me longer to purchase everything to start cycling. I want to set myself up for the best chance at success so I do not mind waiting longer to set up.
Thoughts?

 

[Singlefin]

Personally I would skip the 6g. They are harder to keep because the small amount of water won't absorb mistakes and fluctuations in your chemistry like a larger tank would. Take a look at Craigslist or used forums. You would get a better bang for your buck. People have very nice 6g reefs but I would say they are more advanced. Ask a lot of questions. Welcome.

 

[T.W.]

That's what I have been finding out. I have an empty 20g in my garage. I think I will set that up. Will take a bit longer and some additional money to set up though.

 

[Ltoutjian]

I would def. Start with the 20 if possible. My first was a 12 and just as i got it looking really nice I made a few mistakes and that was all she wrote. On a good note, welcome to your next obsession I mean hobby

 

[specvjeff]

I also suggest starting with the 20g. A 6g reef aquarium is no easy task. It is duable but with a lot of patience and attention. The 20g will give you some room for error and the cost at starting one isn't going to be that bad. Look for used lights, skimmers, and powerheads, and a heater. You sould be able to get it done for a reasonable price.

 

[T.W.]

Thanks I am pretty excited. Just trying to figure out the best way to go with all the necessary items like lighting, power filter, powerheads, skimmers. The hardest part is deciding whats the best equipment to get.

 

[revsgirl]

:clap2: Alright! Can't wait to follow along!! Have fun!

 

[skinz78]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

If you haven't already done so, be sure to get your entry in on the December Reef2Reef Membership Drive contest for your chance to win a Snow Onyx Clownfish Pair from Clownfish Depot! https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/me...f2reef-dec-2012-membership-drive-contest.html

Personally I would skip the 6g. They are harder to keep because the small amount of water won't absorb mistakes and fluctuations in your chemistry like a larger tank would. Take a look at Craigslist or used forums. You would get a better bang for your buck. People have very nice 6g reefs but I would say they are more advanced. Ask a lot of questions. Welcome.

+1 to this!

I'd do the 20g, in all reality you can set it up for not a whole lot more $ and yet have a bigger tank!

I wouldn't do the LR, start with dry rock and sand but see if you can get some Macro Algae's in there. They'll have some bacteria attached to them and you can add the water that they come in to your setup, that's all you need to make dry rock and sand into live rock and sand. They can be cheap and if you find the right one's they are very pretty.

Shop online for your dry goods, they'll be a lot cheaper than they are at the LFS.

 

[skinz78]

BTW here is a link to a 20g tank that I recently set up, I didn't use all the mechanical filtration that you are thinking of and it was just fine. Just keep up on your water changes and you'll be fine too.

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/nano-reefs/86744-emilies-pink-tank.html

 

[ReefPops]

I'm glad to hear you are going with the 20. Smaller tanks are definitely harder and you'll probably end up spending more money on problems then if you go with the bigger tank. I prefer to keep smaller tanks myself (39 & 45), but my first reef was a 14 and it was the hardest of them all. I think a 20 would be a good start though. Good luck and welcome!

 

[T.W.]

So I am kinda stuck on which lighting type to go with. I would say a price range of about $200 is max for now. I am wanting this 20g tank (standard Rrectangle size/shape) to be a LPS and Soft Coral primarily. Anyone care to point me in a direction. I'm flopping around a bit with this.:neutral:
Thanks

 

[skinz78]

I have one of these and I love it.

24 in. Nova Extreme T5 HO Light Fixture - (4) 24 watt lamps | ThatPetPlace.com

 

[T.W.]

skinz, Thanks for the info/advice, your pics arent showing up for me in that thread.. I am definitely having fun with the research though! So what you are saying is I can turn dry rock/sand into live rock/sand by introducing Macro Algae? What exactly is that? Plant life? Also if I create my own live rock/sand I would not need the power filter or the skimmer? sounds good to me. I am retired so I have quite a bit of free time on my hands!

 

[skinz78]

Yep, dry rock can become live rock in time as bacteria inhabits the rock. Some people start by simply adding a raw shrimp or even some fish food.

Here is a nice Macro Algae that I have in my wife's 28g nano tank. There are many many different types out there that are quite nice to look at, I just recommend staying away from Caluerpa types.

If you wish to read up on my current nano tank you can do so here: https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/nano-reefs/89995-sarahs-28g-jbj-5.html#post1167655

It has the Nova Extreme T5 light that I linked. No skimmer, no filter, just a Koralia #3 and a 50w heater.

 

[T.W.]

I am about 2 weeks from starting up my first 20g reef aquarium. I want to take the next few weeks to decide what to put into this tank and to gather my research prior to getting them in the tank.
I have decided on LPS and Softies (as I mentioned in previous posts). Is it possible to have some LPS, a few softies, eventually a Bubble Tip Anemone and 2 Percula clownfish? Is that too much? I heard the BTA is easy for beginners. Any suggestions for a new reefer as far as selecting my inhabitants?
Thanks in advance
TW

 

[T.W.]

Ok so some tank info might help right? I went with the following on my 20g high:

No Power Filter or Protein Skimmer for now
24" 4x24W T5 HO light w/2 10000k whites and 2 blues
1 Aqueon 500 powerhead
30lbs Argonite Dry Live Sand
20lbs Dry Live Rock

 

[T.W.]

Ok first off if you are reading this thread you are going to have to bare with me as I answer some of my own questions. :tongue:

So in response to my own question posted above, I think I might go with a Long Tentacle Toadstool, Frogspawn, Torch Coral or maybe even a xenia in lieu of the nem. I have been reading that the nem's get rather large and a 20g is not the greatest size tank to put one in. I am not saying it isn't possible just may not be the best route for success for me as a newbie reefer.