Need help starting reef tank

jdennysgir

jdennysgir

Member
O.K. here's the scoop. I have a 44 gal. corner tank. I started my first saltwater tank about 2 years ago with seahorses. I did a lot of learning there! I even studied about saltwater tanks and seahorses for about 6 months before actually getting my horses. Anyways, I had 2 horses that lived for about a year. They seemed fine then one day one died and about 2 weeks later the other did also. All the water readings were fine, just as they had been all along. Well, after that I got a few saltwater fish. What I have now is this: 2 peppermint shrimp, 3 turbo snails, 1 choc. chip starfish, 1 urchin, numerous hermits, and fish wise I have 2 green chromis, 1 black velvet damsel, 2-3 stripe damsels, 1 tomato clown, and a couple of purple bodied, yellow tailed damsels (not sure of their actual name) I have a lot of live rock (not sure how many pounds) and about 3 in. of sand. It is run with a Fluval 304 only. I have been paying on a new light the last few months. It is a 175 watt 14K pendant halide light. All of my water readings are within the normal range for most saltwater fish. I also have AragaMilk calcium and buffer(which I haven't used yet, and also Kents Marine iodine (which I haven't used yet. I will have my light paid off in about 2 months, so I have a lot of time to study this and ask questions. I need to know what all I still need to have a thriving tank, such as, chemicals, minerals, food and anything else you think I may need. I would love to have ideas from many other successful reefers. I will read them all. Please point me in the right direction! Also, if there are any other websites that can help me please let me know. Thanks, ahead of time, Chris
 
reefnut

reefnut

Active Member
How deep is your 44g?? Assuming you have enough live rock you can remove the fluval filter. Canister filters typically cause more trouble then anything, especially if you're using LR for the bio-filtration.
I would look into getting a RO/DI unit and a "good" skimmer right away. Are you looking to start keeping corals?? if so, the choc. chip starfish will have to go.
 
getit

getit

Member
I would get a protein skimmer to help with water conditions. I am new to this hobby and will be putting my reef tank together soon. Good luck!!!!
 
cprdnick

cprdnick

Active Member
Not that reefnut needs my second opinion
, but I agree with the Choc star going away if you're going reef.
I wouldn't worry too much about the seahorses dying, if I remember right a year in captivity is a little over the normal lifespan for them anyway, I could be wrong.
 
fishamajig

fishamajig

Member
get a skimmer, you can kep the filter if you want, I run a fluval 304 in my reef and its fine. also you want to make sure you have enough good light getting to the bottom of the tank. those tanks tend to be deep so keep that in mind. and get a ton of lr. you will be fine.
 
danprospec

danprospec

Member
You are also going to need lots more tank cleaners a few snails wil not do it. Recc blue leg and mex red crabs. Emerald crabs are cool, but if you let them get to big they start to hurt your corals and polyps. Good Luck
 
danprospec

danprospec

Member
As for chemicals stay with the basic additives for reef
Kent Essential Elements (every 1 or 2 weeks), Iodine (weekly), Stronium & Molybdenum ( every four days), Calcium( I use liquid and add daily) and last but not least I use Coral Vite as well every week.
As for live rock reccs I have heard and used 1 1/2 lb per gallon, and base subtrate of either live sand 1 1/2 lb per gal or CC same ratio .
I used both live sand and cc and am happy with my choice on my 75, on my 30 I used large cc in 1st inch, then live sand for the next 3 inches- that one is just starting cycled 3 months ago and so far so good.
Your additives will depend a lot on what type of corals you want to use- every one has had success with various different things. I continue to hear form everyone that diversifying in your tank may be best, as each will help to complement the other and work as it's own bio filter.
KC
 
inkman2004

inkman2004

Member
I wouldn't go with adding all of those supplements unless you are testing for them. I had been doing a lot of that as well and one our helpfull hobbyists told me to try just water changes and my tank looks all the better for it. So I will pass it on to you. Try 10% water changes weekly, decent protein skimmer and a HOB filter, and I think you will be doing great. I'm not saying you can't use the supplements, just make sure you test for them first. Hope that helps.
 
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