Let's learn the basics to reefing.

Discussion in 'Beginning Reefers' started by portereef, Sep 27, 2019.

  1. portereef

    portereef RRMAS Supporter

    Hey everyone I figured I would start a thread on what goes into the hobby from the start. I want everyone to help we can setup a tank and see how it progresses! Let's all throw out some ideas and as a club throw together a bigger nano tank that all in one.
    With that said what's the first thing to do after I bought a tank? I got the fluval eco 13.5 gallon peninsula tank.
    Looks like it has a light, and return pump not sure what else. What do we need now!
     
    CaBrowne likes this.
  2. RODI filtration unit, salt mix, and a refractometer.
     
    huntindoc and CaBrowne like this.
  3. And a tang!.......just kidding
     
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  4. CaBrowne

    CaBrowne Plankton

    First thing is, what do you want in it? Coral or fish only? Something for flow like a smaller pump. Dry rock and start planning scaping.
     
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  5. huntindoc

    huntindoc RRMAS BOD Membership Director Staff Member

    Tank location....will the tank get too much direct sunlight? Do I have adequate power supply for what I'm going to use in the tank? How will I do water changes (especially on a big tank)? QT or not to QT.
     
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  6. portereef

    portereef RRMAS Supporter

    Okay I am thinking a kitchen counter tank and probably just put mushrooms in it. I'll use the tropic Marin pro salt like my other tanks. Flow shouldn't be an issue with shrooms. Nor the lighting since it has light I will stick with that. Scape?? Idk sand vs no sand? How long do you cycle a small tank? Do I use water from my main display? Fish stocking?
     
  7. huntindoc

    huntindoc RRMAS BOD Membership Director Staff Member


    I like sand but it's a personal choice. With no encrusting corals on the bottom it may be hard to do maintenance on though. Water from your other tank is fine but no advantage IMO. You could do a water change and use that water....mushrooms aren't too demanding.

    As for fish...you know I love barnacle blennies in a small tank, Yasha's goby/shrimp pair if there's sand, maybe a purple firefish if the tank is big enough?
     
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  8. portereef

    portereef RRMAS Supporter

    I like your thinking @huntindoc. I may just have the right thing for a barnacle blenny....a barnacle cluster! Also sand would be the better of the options because I do like a goby shrimp pair and do miss having them since my tanks are all bare bottom!
     
    huntindoc likes this.
  9. huntindoc

    huntindoc RRMAS BOD Membership Director Staff Member


    You mean like this?
    [​IMG]

    Got this one from Reef Cleaners. You will need to cure it, this one is leaching some phosphate.
     
    portereef likes this.
  10. portereef

    portereef RRMAS Supporter

    I have something very similar and thank you for the heads up on curing it that is great advice and something I didn't even think about!
     

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