Making a 24 gal FOWLR to a reef

[cupcake]

Hi all, i just set up my 24 gal nano cube a month ago and this is my first attempt at salt water. I really love the way reefs look and figure i might as well my mine a reef since i would have no room for more than a couple of small fish.
I have a couple of questions to start off.
1) is the stardard lighting on the 24 gal nano cube enough for coral? and if it isn't, do they make brighter lights that fit in the canopy?
2) is the standard filtration enough? do i need to add or remove anything? It comes with a sponge, activated carbon, bio balls and ceramic rings?
3) i know i wouldn't be able to hve many fish and thats okay, but is there a limit to inverts and corals too?
4) i have about 15 pounds of LR right now, how much should i have for the corals to thrive.
5) How exactly should i go about converting my FOWLR tank into a reef.
I have more questions, but these should at least get me started.

 

[ems freak]

bump? im intrested in the answers to all those questions, i just got a nano 24 myself.....

 

[laddy]

I'll do my best, however, I don't have these cubes.
1). Probably for shrooms and zoos, but I don't know what you have.
2). Most people on this board have replaced the rings and bioballs with live sand or live rock in those areas.
3). Yes, you'll start encountering water quality volitility. Plus most corals don't get along so you'll want to monitor corals touching other corals.
4.) Others say 1-1.5# live rock per gallon of water, however, this is just a guideline--one I sort of abide by. As for corals to thrive, they don't explicitly need live rock/live sand, however, its a great bio-filter controling nitrate levels which corals love. If you want true success in a 24, provide good quality lights at the depths you have your corals, coupled with weekly 10% water changes.
5). If you don't have LS, get some. Upgrade your lights (if they need to be, others on this board will know better than I). And start testing for Alk/Ca, and if you haven't already Nitrates.
.......and one more thing, get the opinions of 10 other people, and make the best judgment subject to your situation. :happy: