Converting 30gal FO to Reef

[thejiro]

I am interested in taking the plunge from FO to reef.
Currently I'm only running a HOT canister filter rated for a 60 gal. I know I will need to invest in a Protein Skimmer.... I've been doing my research now here are my main concerns I have atm.
1.Lighting I know I would be goin with MH lights but I do not know what wattage or any other equipment associated with MH light ing I would need.
2.I have no roomf for a S/F set up or a W/D set up.... unless they mak W/D HOT setups. Would I be getting enough circulation with a good PS rated for a 60+ and my current magnum HOT canister rated up to 60 it I had a really good cleanup crew.
3. I currently have no LR or LS in my tank .....I kno Ikno blasphemy....... but I would be getting aroun a 10 to 15 QT tank established to hold my current fish while I got around 30-40lbs of LS and 60-70 lbs of LR and re-cycled my 30gal
This would be in increments over the next few months as I dont have the $$$$ to do this all at once.
All the advice you can give me will be greatly appreciated,
Ken

 

[reefnut]

1. Why MHs?? I'm not saying not to but is there a reason you want MHs? There are a few members here with MHs on 30g tanks so hopefully one will chime in.
2. Circulation can be obtained with powerheads... IMO the real issue is nutrient export and room to put equipment.
3. Sounds good!!

 

[thejiro]

Isn't MH the best for corals and anemones or can I go with a different type of light for them..... I will get back to you with the dimensions of the tank b/c I am out of town ATm so I cant actually measure the dimensions......But I will try to google my tank and see what O can come up with...... also any suggestions on what brands are reliable so I dont have to replace the stuff I buy now at a later date??? I have the room to add on powerheads to make good circulation but I am really concerned about my filtration will the PS, HOT canister filter and a good cleaning crew be enough w/o an S/F setup or W/D set up????
Ken

 

[reefnut]

MHs are needed to keep some corals and (IMO) all anemones but there are many corals that will do fine under fluorescent lighting. Starting with MHs is a great idea IMO... I was just wondering.
will the PS, HOT canister filter and a good cleaning crew be enough w/o an S/F setup or W/D set up????
It can be done. Make sure the skimmer is top notch and do plenty of water changes. The canister can be more of a problem than a help. Personally I'd move it to the QT when you move the fish, then cycle the tank with LS and LR. The LR will become your bio-filtration so unless you overload the tank, the canister will not be "needed". Canisters are good for running carbon and other chemical media but they need cleaned often.

 

[thejiro]

Ok thanks for the info but I was just thinking if I kept the cannister on my tank for circulation would that be enough or would I still need to invest in power heads for more circulation??? also thanks for the tip on the filtration...... How often would I have to do water changes then and would it be a problem If the water changes were from water I made up or should I buy premade water from an LFS???? LOL more questions keep comin but I'm lookin to get all the info right the first time so there is no problems when I get converted to reef.
thanks
ken

 

[thejiro]

Just figured it out my tank is anywhere from 18-24 inches deep so what would the watage be for my new lights with that depth????
ken

 

[mopar9012]

i have 130 watts of PC lighting over my 29 gallon

 

[thejiro]

Thanks so I could more than likely run one bulb in the fixture I alrdy have and see what it does to the temp in my tank..... I wouldnt have to run actinics or moonlights would I in a tank that small???
One more q pertaining to my water circulation if I get a kick *** skimmer and my cannister filter circulate 255 GPH would I still need a powerhead for more circulation in my system???
Ken

 

[thejiro]

Oh yeah and would I do about a 20% waterchange every month with premade water from an LFS correct????
Ken

 

[arsen_36]

more like 20% every 2 weeks with your own salt water. just buy a trash can or something that can hold water and throw in a power head and a heater 24hrs before you do a water change. you could use the pre mixed water but check the salinity levels and check for phophate and stuff like that just to make sure

. personaly i do a 10% water change every week in a 3g tupperwear thing (i also have a 30g).

 

[pyro]

I have a 30g reef. I use 2 X 96W PC retro's. Kinda a pain to install in my canopy - woulda rather just bought a fixture and stood it up under the canopy.
I have a sump, but only for nutrient export reasons; flow I get with a couple powerheads (not easy to avoid direct flow).
I have always debated switching over to MH but with the high school/PSU in the fall budget; there's no room. I DIY'ed everything I could but the stand/canopy (had to make mods anwyasy for the lighting) and a PO4 reactor.

 

[thejiro]

Thanks for the info all ..... I think I've decided to go MH on the lighting from all the research I've done its the best for coral and anemonies sooooooo Ill just splurge and get it and not have to worry about upgrading later when I wan an anemonie.......... Secondly I still have some q's
1. Is 255GPH enough flow for a 30 gal Reef
2. What should my wattage be on the MH bulbs and what K is good Ive seen for 10,000 to 14,0000 look the best in tanks....
3. SO I don't need any actinics or moonlights in a 30 gal reef am i correct???
4.Cant the skimmer handle the nutrient export??
5. If not I have no rrom for a S?F set up how could I deal with nutrient export......more water changes????
Ken
P.S. Thanks for the info on the water changes I think the 10% every week sounds much easier than 20% every 2 weeks

 

[arsen_36]

Originally Posted by thejiro
1. Is 255GPH enough flow for a 30 gal Reef
yup! but maybe one/two small rio 50's extra couldn't hurt.
Originally Posted by thejiro
2. What should my wattage be on the MH bulbs and what K is good Ive seen for 10,000 to 14,0000 look the best in tanks....
i think that metal halides are kinda harsh on a 30g due to the temp but it has been done and plus you want some anemone's too right! i think a duel 150w 10k would look nice(not expert with halides) and you could keep alot of corals too.
Originally Posted by thejiro
3. SO I don't need any actinics or moonlights in a 30 gal reef am i correct???
actinics are not needed BUT will give some real nice color to your tank! moonlights rock

i have one aqualite moonlight for my tank and it looks real cool.
Originally Posted by thejiro
4.Cant the skimmer handle the nutrient export??
uhh... yeah i think so :notsure: .
couldn't answer all the question cuz i dont have a sump/fuge or protien skimmer

but good luck anyway

 

[thejiro]

Cool thx alot I'll have to look into price I also got a neal good DIY site from a guy on MH lighting and I could set it up for less than 150$ probably but the only problem is that he as all the info for 250W bulbs and the balast that goes with them not the 150s....... but I will also look up the pricing online for diff MH lights so I will let you all know what I am looking at getting.
Arsen thanks for all of the feed back on my Q's most of everything I need to know is now answered

Ken

 

[pyro]

Yep, skimmer and water changes will handle nutrient exports. I didn't have the money to get a nice skimmer - gonna eventually bust out the wallet and get an AquaC Remora; but the cash isn't there currently. The sump/fuge just helps by giving you a space to grow macros - definitly not required by any means, just helpful.
I'd suggest going to Home Depot and picking up 2 or 3 of the 5gal buckets they have for $5. They hold up pretty well (handles dont' break easily surprisingly) and they are really the ideal size for work on the 30 I've found.
If you want moonlights, look for the DIY moonlights thread - I did a set and am really happy with them. If you are interested, let me know and I might even be able to find the leftover LEDs/Resistors I have and won't use and send them in a normal envelope. My email is heide264@gmail.com.
Good Luck, let us know how it goes =)

 

[arsen_36]

Originally Posted by Pyro
Yep, skimmer and water changes will handle nutrient exports. I didn't have the money to get a nice skimmer - gonna eventually bust out the wallet and get an AquaC Remora; but the cash isn't there currently. The sump/fuge just helps by giving you a space to grow macros - definitly not required by any means, just helpful.
I'd suggest going to Home Depot and picking up 2 or 3 of the 5gal buckets they have for $5. They hold up pretty well (handles dont' break easily surprisingly) and they are really the ideal size for work on the 30 I've found.
If you want moonlights, look for the DIY moonlights thread - I did a set and am really happy with them. If you are interested, let me know and I might even be able to find the leftover LEDs/Resistors I have and won't use and send them in a normal envelope. My email is heide264@gmail.com.
Good Luck, let us know how it goes =)

 

[thejiro]

Thanks for the input I will kepp you all updated on what is going on with my conversion it will be a few months as per $$$$$........ but you all know how that goes so thanks one and all
Ken

 

[weberian]

I've heard reef systems should have 20x to 25x turnover, but even 15x would require 450 gph flow in your tank. So I would add at least one powerhead if I were you.
In my 30, I have one 200 gph powerhead, one 160 gph powerhead, one hang-on-tank powerfilter (with no filtration in it - empty) 300 gph, and one return pump with approx. 325 gph, for a TOTAL of 985 gph. I have 15 more gal of system water in the sump, so you don't need it as high as that, but you get the idea. My turnover is 985 gph div by 45 gal system water = 21.9x (not factoring in displacement of live rock etc.) so the turnover is actually even higher than that.
Lighting is 196W PC, 2 bulbs, one daylight, one actinic.

 

[teen]

ive got a 30 gallon with 250w MH over it. i recomend it, i havent had anyproblems, even heat issues, and its gone up to about a little over 80 degress here and the tank hasnt gone over 82.