Need Help Getting Started

[johnc3]

I have a 46gal tank, I've had saltwater fish in the past and did okay. This time I want to have both fish and a reef. What kind of bottom would you suggest? Sand, crushed rock, or both. And what is the difference between Aragonite and Aragolive? Also, I know the standard is about 2" of sand or rock in the bottom, how many lbs. is that roughly in a 46gal tank. And what is the difference in a Powerhead and Wavemaker? Thank You

 

[striker]

Sand for the bottom(about 4-6 inches recommended). I have 3-4 inch in my tank. 1-1/2 lbs per gallon of rock recommended. I have about 2lbs per gallon(love that rock!) The sand can come in different sizes. Many people buy cheap sand from Home Depot or Toys R us 5.00 for 50lbs and then cover it or mix it with live sand from lfs or online. Powerheads create water movement and allow for oxygen exchange. A wavemaker can be used to control the powerheads to simulate waves and to turn on and off for this purpose. In my 29 gallon I have 2 that crisscross and one for surface agitation. Good luck and welcome aboard.

 

[bigred]

I have 2 1/2" of live sand in both my 55 and 70 gal tanks and everything is doing fine. I have 4 fish and 16 corals in my 55 and nothing but lr in the 70 so far.

 

[johnc3]

Thank You for your help!

 

[johnc3]

In a fish/reef tank, is it necessary to have both a filter and a skimmer, does the skimmer also act like a filter? Thanks to any responses

 

[marine fanatic]

Live sand is the best way to go in a reef tank, IMHO. I have 3" of aragonite and 75 lbs of Fiji live rock to help my filtration system out. Protein skimmers are good to have since they not only remove harmful wastes, they also help with water movement, which is good to have in a reef tank.

 

[nm reef]

Here is a link to a ton of great info.....pretty much covers all the above comments and questions....hope it helps a little.
<a href="http://www.reefcorner.com/reef%20keeping_101.htm" target="_blank">reef keeping 101</a>

 

[cyn]

I believe that if you go with live rock a filter is not necessary. Protien skimmers are a personal choice. Some folks go skimmerless and do fine, others insist they are necessary.
The current idea in reef keeping is the use of a deep sand bed, or DSB for short. Most suggest 4 to 6 inches of fine grained sand. A properly working DSB provides both aerobic and anarobic zones for bacteria to grow. This in turn provides for better consumption of organic 'contanimants' such as food and fish waste.
A DSB can be made of dry sand that has been seeded with live sand, all live sand or some even say all dead sand and live rock. This too is open for debate everywhere you look.
My best advice is to read all you can find and make the best decision for you. Keep coming here and asking questions but always remember that it is your tank and your decision on what works for you.
Sorry for the long winded post...
cyn

 

[johnc3]

Thanks for all the help!

 

[wrassecal]

yes to all of the above sand beds. I went crushed coral and now am planning the painstaking process of removing it and adding more sand and live sand. Look at some of these people's tanks that they put the links to on their answers. Those deep sand beds are beautiful!!!!

 

[karlas]

yes skimmers are personal choice. so far i am running a 75 fowlr but planning on going reef soon and am w/o a skimmer. everything is fine on the tank. and will only add one if really needed

 

[hunterdaddy]

Unless you have alot of money dont buy live sand. Live rock will do you just fine and over time your DS will be live sand anyways.