what do I need to do diffently to have a reef tank...i already have a power compact light so I'm strong enough there for mushrooms or the like but what else? I know i need to test for calcium any other major differences i should know about? Also are mushrooms as easy as everyone says? and if not what is the best beginner coral? xenia? thanks
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
switching from FO to reef...help
- Thread starter Yellowboy
- Start date
Hmm. I went from like 15 years of marine fish only to reefs within the last year, so I feel pretty equipped to handle this question....I'll try to summarize my experience here anyway.
1. I also started with PC's, I soon realized that if I wanted to keep anything really cool I had to upgrade. There are many options for that...more PC's, VHO's, etc. I ended up installing a couple of metal halides that do fine. This may seem like a ghastly expense, but can be done relatively cheaply of you shop around for while and are not afraid to use a pair of wire strippers. I can give ya some really good starts in that regard.
2. Forget about the traditional mean of biological treatment. i.e. cut out your wet/dry, fluidized bed, what ever you’re using. Don't even think about an under gravel.. All you need from here on out is live rock, circulation, and skimmers.
3. Oh yeah, cut way the hell back on fish livestock and feeding.
4. You don't need all of those supplements, most seawater is nutrient deficient, keep it that way.
Other than that, its pretty much the same 8)
Mushrooms are pretty tough, xenia was my first coral...they are pretty demanding of water quality as I killed my first few, but nonetheless, a good candidate. I really had good success with yellow star polyps early on and grew them quite well in the refugium on my fish only tank. Star polyps are also good in the sense that you propagate them quite easily by slicing off a layer and gluing it to peace of coral.
Good luck and welcome aboard.
1. I also started with PC's, I soon realized that if I wanted to keep anything really cool I had to upgrade. There are many options for that...more PC's, VHO's, etc. I ended up installing a couple of metal halides that do fine. This may seem like a ghastly expense, but can be done relatively cheaply of you shop around for while and are not afraid to use a pair of wire strippers. I can give ya some really good starts in that regard.
2. Forget about the traditional mean of biological treatment. i.e. cut out your wet/dry, fluidized bed, what ever you’re using. Don't even think about an under gravel.. All you need from here on out is live rock, circulation, and skimmers.
3. Oh yeah, cut way the hell back on fish livestock and feeding.
4. You don't need all of those supplements, most seawater is nutrient deficient, keep it that way.
Other than that, its pretty much the same 8)
Mushrooms are pretty tough, xenia was my first coral...they are pretty demanding of water quality as I killed my first few, but nonetheless, a good candidate. I really had good success with yellow star polyps early on and grew them quite well in the refugium on my fish only tank. Star polyps are also good in the sense that you propagate them quite easily by slicing off a layer and gluing it to peace of coral.
Good luck and welcome aboard.
Trigger gave some excellent advice. The only thing I would maybe say differently is that it is possible to keep lots of nice things with PC lighting. What you need to do now is make a realisitic assessment of what you might want to keep in the future. Then work your lighting around that.
I've made a decision to keep easy softies and LPS corals, along with just a couple well-placed clams. My PC lighting has been great for that. I will not try SPS or very light-intensive clams under this lighting.
Tim
I've made a decision to keep easy softies and LPS corals, along with just a couple well-placed clams. My PC lighting has been great for that. I will not try SPS or very light-intensive clams under this lighting.
Tim
you dont necesarily need a skimmer, there are those that do not run skimmers however i wouldnt recomend it. A skimmer is very important for cleaning up your water and especially for someone that is new to reefs i would have to say a skimmer is a must.
Btw, get that biowheel out of your filter.
Btw, get that biowheel out of your filter.
Sponsor Reefs
We're a FREE website, and we exist because of hobbyists like YOU who help us run this community.
Click here to sponsor $10:
