ATKINSON

I am thinking about starting a reef tank in my empty 30gal glass tank. I have the heaters, 30gal tank, 10gal tank( Perhaps as a filter). I am going to need to buy lighting, corals.etc, fish and filtration. Questions: 1) How do you guys thik I should go about doing the filtration? 2) What are easier to look after Corals or anenomies or starfish.etc? And please specify? Thanks alot.

ATP

Filter:
-You'll need a protein skimmer.
-Water Circulation. (2x Koralia 2)
-live rock 30lb. or over.
-You don't need a sump.
-Instead of making the 10 gal into a sump, I would make it into a refugim

Corals:
-buttons
-xenia
-leather corals
-zoas

anemone:
You'll need high intensity metal halides for anemones. You'll all so need a mature tank for them. Roughly a year. They are not beginner inhabitants. You could replace them with frogspawn for your clowns

My Question:
Have you done your research?

ATKINSON

Thanks alot ATP. If I decide to change my FOWLR into a reef tank later on, in say a year, would it be ok to just add the sufficient lighting and perhaps an additional power head? Would the damsels ( yellow tail) and a future royal gramma be compatible for a reef tank? DO I need a skimmer if i have sufficient filtration including the refugium? Sorry for all the questions.

ATP

I recommend a skimmer for anything 10 gallon or bigger aquarium for a reef (IMO, a 30 gal reef is a must for skimmer if being a reef). I can help you on the lighting, but I'll need the dimensions.

No problem, just post some if you need anything

Oil_Fan

Yes to both being reef compatible.

You could hold off on a skimmer until $$ allow for one. That said, you'll be doing a bit larger water changes. I have 20 gallon SW FOWLR with no skimmer. I do 5 gallon weekly water changes and have no issues.

So the real answer is that you can move slowly into this and add/upgrade as the dollars allow.

ATKINSON

Thanks for all the help guys. If i do decide to upgrade to reef later on, how will I get my nitrates to 0 for the corals.etc? I will start saving for a protein skimmer for the reef tank. ATP: My dimensions are 62cm X 32cm X 32cm. Thanks alot.

ATP

The algae in the refugim and the skimmer removes nutrients from your tank. The skimmer all so removes a few other stuff.

ATKINSON

Cool, thanks ATP.

Betafish305ca

don't mean to sound dumb, but hows the best way of doing reasearch? any good sites?

steve_58

Try this:www.reeflounge.com

Betafish305ca

okay, cool..... thank you