Newbie help

coryherb

coryherb

Member
I have had fresh water aquariums since I was a little kid (35now). Even raised fish for a while to sell back to local stores. I have decided recently to get back into an aquarium. I want to go with a reef tank. I have a general idea of what to do but want advice from people that have actually done it.
I read Beths threads on starting and they were helpful, although only found the first three. Are there more?
I am leaning toward a 150 gallon tank. More specifically am looking at demensions of about 6'x 24''x 24''. That is probably more than 150 gallons but you get the idea. Leaning toward acrylic but haven't decided for sure. Depends a lot on what i find for sale or if I find one used around here. What is the optimal setup as far as sump/refugium tanks? Should I use both? What size should they be? I plan to have them in the cabinet. I am not too concerned about the cost although money doesn't grow on trees so will save where I can.
Substrate: In reading here seems sand is the way to go. Is live sand different from sand? What exactly should I look at and that is one thing I have absolutely no idea on cost. About what should I be looking at spending for it.
Think that covers my first questions. I am sure there will be many more. Glad I found this site.
thanks.
 
coryherb

coryherb

Member
Any advice on lighting would be appreciated ...another thing I didn't worry about in a freshwater tank.
 
snipe

snipe

Active Member
For lights you will probly want to use metal halide with VHO sup. cause it is such a big tank I would thoughse stated for a reef. You are going fish only I would use vho or pc lights.
As far as sump and refurgium I have seen 55 gallons being used for bolth! but Im sure you wont need a 55 for a sump mabey something close to that for a refug since it will be supplimenting extra stuff for your tank.
 
arkey.d

arkey.d

Member
You could use a 55 gallon tank for a sump/refuge if you handy instead of buying one thats setup.
As far as lighting goes it all depends on what type of corals you want to keep. If you want to be able to keep any types of Coral/Clams/Anemones you would need to go with MHs. If you want just Soft Corals and some LPS then you can go with Power Compacts.
For some good reading on ReefKeeping 101 Click Here
 
coryherb

coryherb

Member
so is it common for the sump/refuge to be the same tank? Thanks for the link..that seems to be some good reading..checking it out now.
 
arkey.d

arkey.d

Member
Here's a thread that has info on a sump/refuge in the same tank. Click Me
For more info just do a search here for sump/refuge and you'll get alot of threads...
 
snipe

snipe

Active Member
you dont have to have MH lighting for anemones and you can even have some high demand corals with vho or pc you just have to place them high in the tank and not on the bottom.
 
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