[rookie07]

I have a 24 gallon aqua pod.
Im doing a reef tank......

If I have live rock(19 lbs) and live sand(20 lbs), do I need a filtering system(I have a skimmer on order,Sapphire NanoSkimmer AP24)? I was given blue square sponges and black carbon balls(or thats what they look like to me) as a filtering system with the aqua pod(I guess Ill throw out all the filter stuff they gave me).

I plan on having (mated or paired,2 total) percula clown fish. A psychedelic mandarin fish(after awhile so the copeipods grow, or whatever he eats). 2 anemones(maybe bubble tip, and something else for the 2 clowns, like green carpet), a standard clean up crew with a purple lobster, and a bunch of low maintanence/easy care coral( star polyp zoanthid mx, lps mix{for top part of reef}, and a few other frags).

and, how much sand should I use, I have 20 lbs now, about 2 inches. Should I double this amount???

The tank has been going for a few days now, but I just added the live rock(10/01/07). I tested the PH, its was 8.0, which is low. Im going to let it cycle for a while.

Thanks for your help
The rookie

	LPS Large Polyped Stony corals – In the aquarium hobby this is a common division of the species of stony corals based upon the visual assessment of the size of the polyps. Corals in this category were among the first stony corals to be kept successfully in captivity and include many very beautiful species. Commonly kept Genera include Euphyllia (hammer/frogspawn coral), Favia (brain coral), Plerogyra (bubble coral), Lobophyllia (meat/tooth coral), and Caulastrea (candycane coral). LPS corals also include the popular solitary non-colonial stony corals such as Fungia (plate coral), Cynarina (button coral), Trachyphyllia (open brain coral), and Herpolitha (tongue coral). Like their SPS counterparts, LPS corals require good water quality, intense lighting of the appropriate spectrum, adequate water movement and regular supplementation of calcium.

[chazertis]

i'd say the amount of rock and live sand is ok. keep in mind you'll add more live rock as you add corals. also, the skimmer is a good choice. between the skimmer and the live rock, thats all the filtration you're likely to need. i'd ditch the sponges and bioballs.

[Timbo]

Depends what you are looking to put in the tank. 2-3" is usually good for a sand bed. Those balls you got are probably bioballs. Throw them away or give them to your cat to play with. Once your tank is filled take it slow and let the tank mature at least one month before adding any livestock to it. You can replace the bioballs with rubble. Post some pics for all to see and you can get some better advice on the set up.

[rookie07]

[rookie07]

[Chiefmcfuz]

Welcome to MR!

Yeah throw the sponge in the spare parts box along with the bio balls and the ceramic pipe bag. Take a look at my tank thread I have a 24 pod setup as a reef tank.

Along with my skimmer I put a bag of carbon (chemi pure) in the return chamber and live rock rubble in the overflow chamber as well.

Set the tank up and let it cycle for a month and then check it to see if it's ready for livestock.

I would say the clowns are ok but that mandarin is going to be a tough keep. They require an established tank with lots of pids in it for them to survive. They can eat a 75g tank clean of pods in about a month and then you have to buy pods to supplement their diet. That in and of itself can become expensive.

	Manhattan Reefs Manhattan Reefs, the best aquarium community on Planet Earth!

[LeslieS]

Be careful with the rubble in your overflow. It can collect detritus and cause nitrate problems.

Also, each typ of clown prefers a specific type of anemone. You should do some research to find out what the best pairing is for you.

[Chiefmcfuz]

Yeah I should state I rinse my rubble every 2 weeks when I do a water change.

Oh and speaking of Water changes, I do 5 galloons every 2 weeks and that is enough to keep everything nice and thriving.

[Chiefmcfuz]

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/...fs-24-pod.html
Here's my tank thread

[rookie07]

You guys are awesome, thanks for the help, and keep the advice coming.
The rook