Help

[craig65]

:help:
need some straght advice. I have wasted hundreds listening to the local stores. You cant get a honest answer from them.
I have a 13 gal mini reef started and a 75 gal fish only thats been up for about three years.
I want to turn my bigger tank into a reef, but all the local guys want to do is sell me 2000 bucks worth of rocks, sand lights,powders heaters and chillers.
Whats the most cost effective way to set one up. I dont mind spending the money up front .I have learned that if you do it right from the start you have less problems.
Any input would be GREATLY appreceated

 

[maeistero]

cost effective? what's that?
lights are very important and expensive as heck compared to a fish only tank. you'll want quite a bit of live rock i think, rather than just sitting things on the floor of the tank. imo, this just isn't a cost effective hobby unless you're an obsessive compulsive fish person. i keep my tank right next to my desk in my home office so i can keep an eye on it nonstop. love it.
i may not be able to answer all questions, but what do you have in filtration, skimming, sand/cc, everything on your current fish only tank? someone here can surely help, but we need to know what you do and don't have. it cost me probably $1500 to set up one tank from freshwater. so your lfs might be telling you the truth, but it's better to get it from here.
also check the classifieds here. there's some dang good deals, but they go quick!

 

[craig65]

I have crused coral on the bottom, two power heads, and a wet/dry filter system with a skimmer. I am looking at uv lights right now and I found a light kit w/ 4 96w flo bulbs (2 in the 10k range and 2 blue and two 6w moon lamps for around 300 bucks
on the 13 gal reef tank I have an over sized skimmer (for a 75 gal .) For lights I have a 2 buld mini reef light one flo 36w 6700k and one blue

 

[blemmy_guy]

I would , if you can change out the crushed coral for Live Sand, about 3 to 6 inches of it, the wet/dry filter is a fine choice, i would ( IMO ) stay with it. Definately will need a Protein skimmer, and and about 100 lbs of live rock, or half live and half dead rock , and you should be set. What do you think Maeistero . also if you are going to have coral, get some Metal Halide lights, way expensive but you can have anything you want in your tank that way. todd

 

[dragonfli]

i am a beginner and was very weary about switching from CC to LS but man what a difference. the LFS said one thing and on here almost everybody said go to LS. you care for it completly different but it is way easier to care for, and looks beter too...in my opinion. start a thread about LS care and wow it changes things.