nate21887

I was reading on DFS and read an articles stating that you can have a FOWLR with inverts. So my question is when do you cross the line of a FOWLR to a Reef tank? Is it simply adding the corals or is it more to it that im not understanding?

Goldwing_Don

when you add corals you are now a reef tank and then again if you have the wrong fish in there it my only be one for a short time...

nate21887

thanks don, another question then, If i stock my FOWLR with reef safe fish is it ok to stock corals later once my tank matures enough and has proper lighting?

David C

That is a common way to start a reef, first master keeping fish and then move on to the corals. You will also need to make sure you have sufficient water movement, some corals need 20x DT volume of movement per hour.

Dave

nate21887

hey dave, thanks for your input! Ok great so that means my safe made plan is on track. I plan on havin 4 powerheads on my tank, would that be overkill? they rated around 1200 GPH.

David C

That sounds about right for movement as long as you have them aimed properly. I'm doing my reef the same way, starting out with all fish and then SLOWLY adding coral as I gain more skill. Trying to be cautious since a failure with SW can be extremely costly.

Dave

Goldwing_Don

one thing i would say is most of your starter corals like mushrooms are low water movement. so make sure you have a place for them in the tank other things like soft corals like fast water..jmho

nate21887

awesome guys, again thanx for your advice!
Dave i plan on having 2 in the back evenly spaced from center and one in each of the forward corners, are you planning something similar? since i have been looking at price alot more since start up time is so near i am planning meticulously, simply because failure is gonna be so expensive.
Don since it seems my water movement might be somewhat extensive should i just start with soft corals when the time comes?

Stang Man

That depends on what type fish and also what type inverts you are planning to have together, as well as your tank setup! If you want to go with a reef lighting would be an issue, If fish only just buy a flourescent daylight bulb for what you have know. There is alot more than just throwing a coral in the tank they are deecate and need proper care of. Let me Know.

nate21887

Yea, i have been researchin as much as possible and fully understand that with corals. My game plan is FOWLER then eventually in time acquire better lighting and start my adventure with the REEF. I know patience is best so my game plan is prob around a year from start date which im lookin to be assembling within the next two weeks, hopefuly cycling by the end of march. Live stock plan right now is just basic fish once the cycle is finishin prob cheaper damsels and a basic CUC. Once everything is stabalized the damsels prob will be traded in for clowns, and from there is gonna be alot more research ultimetly( bad spelling i know) in the direction of a REEF. And again i'm really grateful for your advice!

nate21887

i been researchin some more and think i have foun the light for me...Nova Extreme T-5 Fixtures w/Lunar Lights seems to be the ticket and could have sooner than the later! it got a good review on here and i think it will benefit anemones when i take that step. Should i still supplent with more LEDs?

David C

I'm using the Nova Extreme Pro on my 90gal, it gives me 324w and will cover me for the easier corals I plan to keep. When I eventually decide to keep some higher light stuff, I'm going to supplement with DIY LED fixtures. I've alraedy rough scaped my LR with final scaping being done tonight, and I planned in some lower flow areas to allow for the mushrooms, but yes I'm going to have the powerheads in the front corners and the 2 return lines from my sump covering the back side of the reef.

Dave

Stang Man

For a reef you need approximately 4-12 watts per gallon depending on what type corals you want

David C

Some of the nicest reefs I've seen have nowhere near 12wpg. With proper placement of the higher light corals, you can get away with far less than that. I wouldn't plan to put them on the bottom of my tank.

Dave

nate21887

Ok i see with the lighting, when the time comes I believe i will go with the nova and see where im at with that and supplement any additional needs such as dave mentioned. Im sure its gonna be sometime before i reach coral status in my tank. But a new question has arose to me, How do you rough scape and set areas for low water current for the corals?

David C

I did my rough scape by measuring out the exact internal dimensions of my tank then setting the rocks up on my kitchen table in 100's of different patterns until I liked what the final appearance was and made sure it was very stable. Last night I transferred everything into the tank in roughly the same pattern and verified stability, then added the sand and water. To make low current areas, make sure that there will be a rock or ledge that will block the water from the powerheads and allow a lower flow in that spot, just have to plan ahead and it wasnt too hard. I verified the lower water flow this afternoon after the powerheads were all placed and everything is good to go.

Dave

nate21887

cool thanks dave. So setting up the rock outside the tank is Ok, it won't damage the rock at all?

David C

I used dry rock so it didn't hurt anything, are you using cured rock?

Dave

nate21887

Im gonna be goin with cured im just not decided on which kind yet whether it fiji or tonja/tononka( not to sure of the name) but a local whole seller has it and highly recommends it so im considering one of the two.

Stang Man

You can do both if you would like tonga is usually a little more in cost I myself like fiji has alot of holes and not as heavy bodied but its all about the same and does the same and provides it's purpose.

David C

I used the dry rock because it was cheap, ($1.60/lb) and it allowed me to buy my lights right away. No matter what way you go, dry rock or live rock, it all becomes live in the end, it just takes a bit of time and you dont get any hitchhikers (good or bad) when you go with dry rock. I was on a budget so did what I had to do.

I noticed in an earlier post you mentioned you planned on starting with a damsel then trading him out later on... many people have tried that and end up having to nearly tear down their tanks to get the damsel back out. Just a word of caution.

Dave

Stang Man

Dry rock takes a lot longer to deal with if you got the time go for it . Using live has all the benefical bacteria in place there for tanks cycle rapidly and also usally comes with some good stuff already on it! And sometimes has it"s bad to but only if you check the rock out very well and catch the bad before you put it in the tank.

David C

I agree Stang, if you have the money go with the LR, I was trying to keep it within a budget so my wife didnt kill me

Dave

nate21887

Wow guys thanks for all the replies! So if its dry its ok to plan it out dry but if cured not such a good idea? If it is cured is there a time frame you can get it out of the packing and arrange it before final placement in the DT. I am still un-decided on which rock i want but what do i look for as far as bad stuff on the rock?

Stang Man

There's alot of info out there on live rock it really depends on whom you buy from do some research on web study the company you deal with personaly I would buy live any day. make sure you know about what to look for! That is very important!!! Take your time because it will take a good while for everything to start and finish it's cycle There's alot of good books out there for beginers and long time hobbiest as well so read as much info out there and you will be amazed at what you can learn. Good luck! FYI take your time go slow!

nate21887

I am takin my time tryin to learn anything and everything before i begin the set-up. I have found lots of info on live rock but all of it seems to deal with once its in the tank. I have read several threads on here but again all on once the rock is in the tank. What should i look for when purchasing the rock? I have a local fish store close by that i am developing a good relationship with as well as a whole seller that i am becoming involved with but i doubt either of them will point out "bad" rock for me not to purchase. So any more help you could give would be awesome. also if you have any links or specific books you would suggest would greatly appreciated. thanks again stang!

David C

To confuse you even more, check out these guys key largo rock. I've heard nothing but awesome reviews of it and it's a good price. It's dry rock, but worth the few minutes to check out all your options before you go either way. If you have the money, I still would go LR, but I'm poor

http://www.marcorocks.com/

Dave

nate21887

hey man i poor to lol tryin to find a happy medium is rough. balancing the good stuff vs. your creations is a tough one for sure, but im checkin the site out right now thanks dave!


Dave that rock looks awesome. Is that what your using? approx how long does it take to the rock to become live?

Stang Man

Okay I totally understand so here's another option Thats a big tank I agree first of all let me point out something there is a little cheaper way to obtain live rock ! I forgot you had 120 gallons to deal with you can purchuse initially 80 lbs base rock or 100lbs thenput that rock in and about 3 weeks later put some live rock about 45 pounds in after the 3rd week you will save money and by buying base you can construct your reef and while thats going in your tank cure the rock in a tub or what ever with a skimmer and let base cycle and then slowly ad a piece at a time with the good stuff this will cut alot of cost buying premium live rock and will be to your benifit in the end. or another option would be just get the base and let it cycle and eventually it will grow again to full live rock again as long as you can slowly do the process the more you will acheive in the end! I realley don't like dry rock because it's dead, all organisms are cleared from rock or another option would be that I have heard of is buy dead rock I say dead because there is nothing living on it but use this for base and then same procedure add live on top this will work but takes many months to grow the culture back to the base. It all works out in the end of years to come to enjoy!!!! If you want a 120 gallon reef there is ways that have been provingto do so on a budget. It's best to have for a reef around 1 1/2 to 2 pounds per gallon on a reef.

nate21887

excellent advice stang thanks. I talked to a whole seller locally and he is gonna work with me on some pricing when the time comes. But he as well said the same as you suggesting the base then slowly add on. the only downfall might be mini-cycles, so not to keep any major fish until the reef structure is complete and all cycling is complete. I believe that might be the way to go for me. its so hard to decide on anything until its time to purchase lol. I will most likely buy a good chunk as you mentioned "live" then add on from there. If i only add "dead" rock from then on out will that cause mini cycle or not? my knowledge tells me no since nothin is on the rock to need cyling correct?