Some Help with Starting a Reef Tank

[changyang]

Hey guys, I was planning to make myself a 180 gallon reef tank, but I have no clue whatsoever how to make it. Anyone have any advice that I can use to make myself a salter water reef tank? and what will all the equipments I be needing and estimate the price range for me by the way. Can I use xp3 and xp4 canister filter to filter a salter tank and just get a skimmer? I know for sure I need power head to make wave. Also teach me how to make salt water for the tank and how to manage.
I will truly appreciated any help and hopefully by January I can get my reef tank going. ^^

 

[oneradtek]

read a good book, do ALOT more research , and start with a smaller tank to make sure you can handle it first. 30-55gal would be a good starter size

 

[cherylann]

First have you taken into account the items you will need for a tank that big.
1. A pound of live rock for every gallon of water
2. How deep do you want your sand, live sand or dry?
3. Lighting you said you wanted a reef, so you need to consider the cost of lighting for your size of tank. You can go with your basic lighting for a reef. Metal halide, new and improved LED's, VHO's ?
4. Test kit with all the bells and whistles.
5. Salt, what type? I use Instant Ocean but that is mainly out of habit.
6. Protein skimmer, big cost, and don't be cheap on this item as well as the lighting.
7. Your probably need a sump for the skimmer and the health of the tank.
8. Power heads and pumps.
9. Heater.
10. And lastly tank inhabitants, oh yea a refractometer to measure salinity.
I am sure others will build on this list or tell you that you don't need to have a protien skimmer.
You probably are going to need different types tubing as in size as well. I am not trying to discourage you from starting a reef tank, just the opposite. I just want you to know that alot of research goes into successfull reef keeping and alot of money. But for every person that keeps reef tanks we all learn something new and hopefully contribute to keeping our oceans and their reefs alive and growing.

 

[spanko]

Start reading here:
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/301033/101-tips-to-beginning-and-maintaining-a-saltwater-aquarium
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/160830/beginners-12-step-program
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/264597/a-list-of-extremely-helpful-threads-for-all-hobbyists

 

[steelgluer]

First look inside your wallet cause whats there now will never be there again. Then spend alot of time reading on what you like then what you will need to keep it.

 

[fishkid13]

Originally Posted by SteelGluer
http:///forum/post/3167356
First look inside your wallet cause whats there now will never be there again. Then spend alot of time reading on what you like then what you will need to keep it.
+10x