Help on first reef setup! Lighting, filtration, corals, etc!

[~krystal~]

I currently have a 30g fish only tank with 3 oscellaris clowns, 1 yellow tang, 2 yellowtail damsels, 1 royal gramma, 1 cc starfish, 1 coral banded shrimp, and 3 emerald crabs. I have been interested in doing a reef tank but do not know where to start.
I plan on using a 10g spare tank.Here is my list of things to do with it. Please tell me if they are ok or if I need more or different.
1/8" thick 10" x 20" acyrlic top with hinged lid and holes drilled in it for air
24" pc light 130w 1 65w actinic and 1 65w daylight 2 cooling fans moon lights
or clip on metal halide which will probably cost $80 versus $20 ^
penguin bio-wheel (already own)
50w heater (already own)
powerhead?

protein skimmer?

I am also trying to keep my costs minimal because if I do well at this I will convert my fish only to a reef tank. Please help me out!

 

[bang guy]

Have your read the articles in the archive for starting a salt tank?
Do you have a good reference book?

 

[~krystal~]

I have read alot of articles but everyone seems to have a different oppinion. Some people say you don't need a protein skimmer if you do weekly water changes on smaller tanks, and there is ton's of controversy over lighting. It all confuses me. I just wanted to know the basic things.

 

[bang guy]

Everyone will have a different opinion because this isn't really an exact science yet. My suggestions are meant to give you the best chance at success but by no means do I believe my way is the only right way.
First, I would sell the Tang, the second largest Ocellaris, and the CC Starfish back to the fish store.
I would replace the holey acrylic cover with eggcrate (called light diffuser in the store).
The lighting you listed is fine for many types of coral that don't require intense lighting. If you want to grow light demanding corals then I'd recommend adding a 150watt HQI in addition to the PC lights. That won't be cheap so perhaps you want to be content with Mushrooms and LPS for a while.
A protein skimmer isn't required but I recommend buying a good one. They can correct mistakes you make and they improve water quality a lot.
Another 50 watt heater depending on how warm you keep your fish room.
At least 2 good powerheads of 250 - 300 gph of flow each. Maxi 900 or 1200s are excellent.
Nitrate, Phosphate, PH, Calcium & Alkalinity test kits.

 

[~krystal~]

Yeah I knew I was going to have to get rid of some of the fish, and definately the starfish if I convert the 30g, but thats going to be along ways away. What does getting rid of the second largest clown do? I have three very different sized clowns, small medium large.
Right know I'm just foccusing on the 10g reef. Thank you on the list of things very much. Keep the replys coming please.

 

[bang guy]

I misunderstood part of your post, sorry. I didn't know the 10 was going to be the reef and you were keeping the 30.
The 50 watt heater is fine. The 10 might have trouble with temperature stability though.
For the Clownfish - Usually after 2 years or so the smallest clown will start to mature. This doesn't always happen but if it does then it will be kicked out of the nest. In a 30 gallon tank there's nowhere for the banished clownfish to go. So, the pair will usually just kill it or prevent it from eating.

 

[~krystal~]

Ok thank you. I was planning on putting a couple fish in the 10g so it will work out fine.

 

[qbnfreek]

what brand of PC's are you planning to buy? The lighting that you described sound like the one i want to purchase by coralife? What's the lowest price you found? The lowest i found was $138.99

 

[~krystal~]

Jebo. They were on xxxxxxxx. < Sorry for writing it like that its the only way it shows up. Anyways the guy has a 36" 192w and a 23" 165w. The starting bid was $1 and that was an hour before auction end, and shipping was about $20. If you want to know anything else email me. Krystaltack18@aol.com

 

[larryndana]

I agree....Get rid of the Tang, unless he's small and your gonna upgrade soon. And also one of the clowns. But as far as the cc starfish, keep him in the 30g....they are not reef safe. No real need to get rid of the cc unless you want to. I enjoy watching mine crawl all over the place.