What's the minimum needed

[U_ser_ID]

As I sit and ponder what to start buying for my first ever reef aquarium I'm wondering what the bare necessaties are. What can I but to get up and running and what can be added later? I understand the automation can be done later and I plan on it. I'm thinking RO/DI filtration, a sump (thinking of buying a used 75g, the DT is 210g reef ready), the other basics like return pump, water jets (official name??), light (undecided on LED, MH, T5) thinking of doing a refugium with chaeto. Debating if a sock filter will be needed. Can a skimmer be added later?

I'm hoping to get the tank going to where it is fully symbiotic to where it needs little interference from me to stay healthy. I'm probably a rookie with a dream.. lol

If you were piecing together your setup up what would your order of purchase look like?

 

[nfrench2100]

My first setup consisted of an HOB Reef Octopus Bh1000F skimmer and current marine orbit lights and it did great. I really miss it actually

Edit: and power head for sure lol

 

[tdileo]

Bare minimum would be this.
Tank, lights, biological filtration (like rock) and powerheads for flow.
However you’d be a lot better off starting off like this.
Tank, sump, light, skimmer, return pump, powerheads. Until you start adding more corals you can get away with less powerheads than you’ll need down the line and you don’t need a skimmer right off the bat, but it will help.

 

[mjlash22]

Tank w/ sump:
- rock
- substrate
- return pump
- skimmer
- lights
- power head

Tank w/o sump:
- rock
- substrate
- HOB filter
- skimmer
- lights
- power head

 

[Jesterrace]

As I sit and ponder what to start buying for my first ever reef aquarium I'm wondering what the bare necessaties are. What can I but to get up and running and what can be added later? I understand the automation can be done later and I plan on it. I'm thinking RO/DI filtration, a sump (thinking of buying a used 75g, the DT is 210g reef ready), the other basics like return pump, water jets (official name??), light (undecided on LED, MH, T5) thinking of doing a refugium with chaeto. Debating if a sock filter will be needed. Can a skimmer be added later?

I'm hoping to get the tank going to where it is fully symbiotic to where it needs little interference from me to stay healthy. I'm probably a rookie with a dream.. lol

If you were piecing together your setup up what would your order of purchase look like?

One of the things that is really important is decide what kind of fish and corals you are interested in having in your tank and go from there. Many people get crazy ideas (ie Blue Tangs, Full Size Angels, etc.) and have no clue what they are getting into. The larger the tank, the more equipment it needs. That said, the larger the tank, the more fish and coral options you can have and more stability with your water perameters.

 

[U_ser_ID]

Tank w/ sump:
- rock
- substrate
- return pump
- skimmer
- lights
- power head

Tank w/o sump:
- rock
- substrate
- HOB filter
- skimmer
- lights
- power head

Thank you! I really need to get a notebook strictly for my tank, so much information to absorb! Lol

 

[U_ser_ID]

One of the things that is really important is decide what kind of fish and corals you are interested in having in your tank and go from there. Many people get crazy ideas (ie Blue Tangs, Full Size Angels, etc.) and have no clue what they are getting into. The larger the tank, the more equipment it needs. That said, the larger the tank, the more fish and coral options you can have and more stability with your water perameters.

I know I want corals, clams and fish. As far as what kind, still researching and trying to figure that out. I would like to be good enough to keep SPS and Blue Tangs. At this stage, besides needing to start hand writing some notes to reference when over simulated with knowledge, I am interested in the aforementioned as long as there fish after reef safe. I really need that notebook... Lol I feel for to volume it should be "simpler" to keep my tank stable for the tougher inhabitants...?

AJ

 

[GucciYoni]

Bare minimum for a reef tank is simple. "Water jets" (Water Pumps), Filtration, both mechanical and natural (live rock - not necessary but far better than dry rock), a heater (capable of sustaining a constant temperature between 26-28C in your tank (78-84F), a substrate (unless you enjoy bare bottom tanks, and non-diverse invertebrate population, lighting with actinic and a diverse ranged spectrum is crucial for growing corals, especially the notoriously difficult SPS.

I don't run a protein skimmer, I do my water changes frequently however I havn't attempted to keep SPS corals or any particularly difficult corals, I have Polyfilter as chemical filtration and along with water changes my water remains crystal clear!

Hope I've helped.

GY

 

[Synodontis]

For basic first setup , I'd be looking at a list like ....

Tank w/ sump:
- water
- return pump
- heater
- power head
- lights
- rock
- skimmer
- substrate

Tank w/o sump:
- water
- heater
- power head
- lights
- rock
- NOB skimmer
- substrate

 

[lewisriverfisherman]

My first tank was on a budget, (basically a part time job) what I know now I would find out if I had a local fish club in the area that I live. If you have a club in your area they would probably most likely have pieces of used equipment laying around that you could source for very cheap or next to nothing. I just recently jumped back into salt after a 5 yr break and reached out to my local club and sourced substraight, live/dead rock, 10 gal AIO tank all for next to nothing. I even started my tank with a guys water change water and my cycle was only 11 days long. If you just want fish at first you don't even need that strong of a light and can always upgrade later. With that being said my first tank was:

Used 55 gal tank
Canister filter
Heater
A couple pieces of live rock
Substraight
cheap powerhead

Just remember that it doesent need to be fancy to start a tank it just needs to be functional!

Another word of advice don't skimp on the live rock as most people try to as this is the greatest biological filter you can have.

I hope this helps and good luck with the start of your tank, happy reefing!!

 

[U_ser_ID]

My first tank was on a budget, (basically a part time job) what I know now I would find out if I had a local fish club in the area that I live. If you have a club in your area they would probably most likely have pieces of used equipment laying around that you could source for very cheap or next to nothing. I just recently jumped back into salt after a 5 yr break and reached out to my local club and sourced substraight, live/dead rock, 10 gal AIO tank all for next to nothing. I even started my tank with a guys water change water and my cycle was only 11 days long. If you just want fish at first you don't even need that strong of a light and can always upgrade later. With that being said my first tank was:

Used 55 gal tank
Canister filter
Heater
A couple pieces of live rock
Substraight
cheap powerhead

Just remember that it doesent need to be fancy to start a tank it just needs to be functional!

Another word of advice don't skimp on the live rock as most people try to as this is the greatest biological filter you can have.

I hope this helps and good luck with the start of your tank, happy reefing!!

I was thinking of mixing live rock with not live rock. Would that be good or should it be all live rock? If so what's the best way to slowly add live rock, really don't see me being able to drop over a grand at once just in rock.

AJ

 

[U_ser_ID]

For basic first setup , I'd be looking at a list like ....

Tank w/ sump:
- water
- return pump
- heater
- power head
- lights
- rock
- skimmer
- substrate

Tank w/o sump:
- water
- heater
- power head
- lights
- rock
- NOB skimmer
- substrate

Thanks!!

AJ

 

[mjlash22]

I was thinking of mixing live rock with not live rock. Would that be good or should it be all live rock? If so what's the best way to slowly add live rock, really don't see me being able to drop over a grand at once just in rock.

AJ

The live rock will seed the dry rock. You can definitely do it that way, just be aware you may have more nitrates leached into the tank when using live rock.

 

[lewisriverfisherman]

I was thinking of mixing live rock with not live rock. Would that be good or should it be all live rock? If so what's the best way to slowly add live rock, really don't see me being able to drop over a grand at once just in rock.

AJ

Yes mix live rock with dry rock. In my above post when I said don't skimp on live rock I just ment rock period but it won't let me edit for some reason. People in my club are selling rock for $1 to $1.50 a pound so it's fairly cheap compared to lfs

 

[U_ser_ID]

Yes mix live rock with dry rock. In my above post when I said don't skimp on live rock I just ment rock period but it won't let me edit for some reason. People in my club are selling rock for $1 to $1.50 a pound so it's fairly cheap compared to lfs

Oh wow, that is cheap compared to my LFS. I think he's asking $6-7 per lb. I've read 1-1.5 lb per gallon. But I've also seen some tanks that look like there are well under 1 lb. It's the accepted amount per gallon of the total setup or just the DT?

 

[tdileo]

Oh wow, that is cheap compared to my LFS. I think he's asking $6-7 per lb. I've read 1-1.5 lb per gallon. But I've also seen some tanks that look like there are well under 1 lb. It's the accepted amount per gallon of the total setup or just the DT?

I use a little over a half pound per gallon because I don’t like the look of tons of rock in my tanks. However I also give more space for bacteria by using a ceramic biomedia like Seachem Matrix or MarinePure.

 

[lewisriverfisherman]

Oh wow, that is cheap compared to my LFS. I think he's asking $6-7 per lb. I've read 1-1.5 lb per gallon. But I've also seen some tanks that look like there are well under 1 lb. It's the accepted amount per gallon of the total setup or just the DT?

I setup a 20gal Nuvo Fusion with about 30 pounds of rock. Here is a pic of my aquascape. If you have less rock I would suggest having less fish. There is so many variables to this hobby it's kinda crazy. With 1 person's success May not be the next person's success with same setup. How many water changes do you want to do in a month? This depends on bacteria bace, filtration, fish load ect.

 

[Jesterrace]

I know I want corals, clams and fish. As far as what kind, still researching and trying to figure that out. I would like to be good enough to keep SPS and Blue Tangs. At this stage, besides needing to start hand writing some notes to reference when over simulated with knowledge, I am interested in the aforementioned as long as there fish after reef safe. I really need that notebook... Lol I feel for to volume it should be "simpler" to keep my tank stable for the tougher inhabitants...?

AJ

Don't want to discourage you but Blue Tangs require a big tank. They grow to about a foot in length and 6-7 inches in height. A 180 gallon (6 feet long, 2 feet tall and 2 feet wide) is the recommended MINIMUM if you want to house a Blue Tang long term and setting up a tank that size will be costly. Blue Tangs and Tangs in general are also not the most newbie friendly fish as they are very prone to stress and ich. I would really do more research into the fish and see what really appeals to you beyond Blue Tangs.

 

[U_ser_ID]

Don't want to discourage you but Blue Tangs require a big tank. They grow to about a foot in length and 6-7 inches in height. A 180 gallon (6 feet long, 2 feet tall and 2 feet wide) is the recommended MINIMUM if you want to house a Blue Tang long term and setting up a tank that size will be costly. Blue Tangs and Tangs in general are also not the most newbie friendly fish as they are very prone to stress and ich. I would really do more research into the fish and see what really appeals to you beyond Blue Tangs.

I'll do more research into them, I think o have the right size tank just need to better understand their health and habits. My tank is 72Lx29Hx24W

 

[Perry]

I'll do more research into them, I think o have the right size tank just need to better understand their health and habits. My tank is 72Lx29Hx24W

Vision is the starting point, IMO. I mean, you can lay out the rock structure, fill with water, and IMO, you would want to blast the rock with powerheads, especially if live rock, as the die off will need to release from the rock. A properly sized protein skimmer(can't go wrong oversized), will allow the rock debris to be further exported from the system, as will water changes. Stare at the rock structure and envision what the tank will look like filled. Work you vision backwards. If your vision includes many fish and hard to maintain corals, well, the equipment and necessities change. Most start the hobby with as cheap as I can mentality, later to re-buy something because the cheaper product was not sufficient, I think everyone is guilty of that, lol You can run your tank without livestock for months, not a bad idea as the micro population and critters that balance the tank begin populate. These micro inhabitants, including pods, dusters, sponges, tunicates, bi-valves, etc all help to mature your eco-system. There is no real reason for light until you begin stocking, however, using some sort of blue lighting, nothing too powerful for a few hours a day may help to grow corraline algae, this also helps to show the tank is on it's way to being mature. Remember, every coral you buy will grow, so research it and make sure you have dedicated enough space for future grow out. In a mixed reef, I would suggest you save the demanding hard to keep SPS corals as your final additions. Save the top part of your reef for these corals, make sure montis do not get planted too high on the reef, as they will shade others. As far as fish, a tank you describe should be ok for a Blue Tang, but keep in mind they need to have open space to stay happy, and can stress very easily, I donated mine to a larger system, and the tang was still sketchy, in a tank your size. Mine was a 4 foot tank, and the BT quickly outgrew my system. Take your time, ask questions, do research, and read up on what others are doing that are having success, develop your own game plan, patience is rewarding in this hobby Cheers