Wife wants to get saltwater aquarium!

We have a 75gl freshwater that we have been running for about 2 years now. We love it and has been a learning process the whole time. We have always thought about switching it to a saltwater at some point and yesterday she blew me away. We were talking about them the last couple of days and she hit me with a "How about we just buy a new tank for the saltwater and put the fresh in our bedroom?" I was literally floored!

So we started looking around and kept coming back to the Red Sea MAX 250. The reason being is that it includes almost everything. We know we would still need more equipment, but this comes with a lot of it.

Is that they way to go? Our number one concern is we want everything possible hidden. We don't have an endless budget, but I can afford a NICE setup. I would rather go a different way cause I don't care for the black cabinet that comes with the Red Sea.

I spent yesterday trying to start learning the terminololgy and to be completely honest, I am overwhelmed! I was at first with the freshwater too, but I am finally getting comfortable with it.

We also checked out Craigslist and found some nice complete systems, coral, live rock, livestock, and the water! But, the problem is that with where we live, we are 1.5 hrs to 2 hrs away from any of the ads. So I don't know if it would be safe to attempt to move everything over that distance and set it back up in my house. What do you experts think?

If not, can you point me to a site that would have everything I need and a 99% hidden system?

Thanks and I hope to be on this section of the forum a lot in the VERY near future!

 

Hey there and welcome to FL!!!!! I am very new at SW.....I did look up this red sea....WOW!!!!!!!!! I personally don't know of too many others with everything completely hidden like that. They are stunning tanks.......my first concern (and I have not researched it) is how flow is controlled(like with old fashioned power heads)....wondering if there is a way to move them and direct them should the need arise. One bit of advice...should u go another way (Iam only saying this from experiance) try to get a reef ready tank(meaning that it is drilled) I have a 72 gal BF reef...this tank is my pride and joy(I have 13 total tanks)...however it is not drilled and it wasn't impossible but a little more involved to get everything compatable( I use a hang on overflow,refugium etc)
It also is not impossible to completely move an existing tank....again ...more involved. If u go that way let us know...we can advise u on some traveling tips.....good luck!!!!!

 

We have a 75gl freshwater that we have been running for about 2 years now. We love it and has been a learning process the whole time. We have always thought about switching it to a saltwater at some point and yesterday she blew me away. We were talking about them the last couple of days and she hit me with a "How about we just buy a new tank for the saltwater and put the fresh in our bedroom?" I was literally floored!

So we started looking around and kept coming back to the Red Sea MAX 250. The reason being is that it includes almost everything. We know we would still need more equipment, but this comes with a lot of it.

Is that they way to go? Our number one concern is we want everything possible hidden. We don't have an endless budget, but I can afford a NICE setup. I would rather go a different way cause I don't care for the black cabinet that comes with the Red Sea.

I spent yesterday trying to start learning the terminololgy and to be completely honest, I am overwhelmed! I was at first with the freshwater too, but I am finally getting comfortable with it.

We also checked out Craigslist and found some nice complete systems, coral, live rock, livestock, and the water! But, the problem is that with where we live, we are 1.5 hrs to 2 hrs away from any of the ads. So I don't know if it would be safe to attempt to move everything over that distance and set it back up in my house. What do you experts think?

If not, can you point me to a site that would have everything I need and a 99% hidden system?

Thanks and I hope to be on this section of the forum a lot in the VERY near future!

HI there,
I believe it comes in white aswell, but not 100% sure. Also, if hidding the equipment is your only concern, you could run sumps to hide the equipment. If you are handy with powertools, then you could do just about anything you can think of. With that said, if you are going to reef and you with regular rectangular tanks, you might look for the ones that are predrilled.

Also, about the moving thing. I have never had corals thus not sure how they would fair out for that period of time, but the fish would be fine for that long period of time then you can reset it when you get back home. One thing to mention when moving established tanks, they can be a nightmare when not properly transfered. You could unbalanced the water chemistry and that could be very bad. I usually try to stay away from transfering setups as they could be problems with moving them, unless the are small enough, like a 30 or smaller.

 

UPDATE... We ordered a 70 gal bow front yesterday! We are both so excited, but I know we are also nervous... As I said earlier, this saltwater stuff is so overwhelming to us right now. I am slowly but surely figuring things out I think. I would like to ask you all for a list of equipment I need, but I am not going to do that. What I am going to do is figure out everything I need and then post it here to see if you all agree and let me know if I am missing anything. I am going FOWLR by the way.

 

Congrats!!!!! Did u order it drilled?????? I guess they would call it reef ready
Did u also order lights yet????? Umay want to upgrade at this early point....just in case u decide on corals later...now is the time to do it....

 

+1 Lori. FOWLR is so easy to change over to reef tank if you set it up right from the get go.
Congrats on your new tank!!

 

Yes, the tank is drilled, it is reef ready. It does not come with lighting, I am actually glad for that. We should get the setup next week (it comes with the stand and canopy as well). We don't plan to really hit it hard until after Christmas. That gives us time to plan our pruchases and allows me to measure everything out for the lighting and the sump / wet dry filter.

 

Excellent choice! Red Sea Max is a nice setup, but piecing things together for a custom setup can be more beneficial in the end (altho more challenging!!) Everyone will have their own opinion on the best lights, skimmers etc. Some choose to DIY and some choose to purchase everything. You'll be hard pressed to find two people with the exact same setup, but each setup works for them. So choose what works for you and run with it. There are plenty of knowledgable people out here to point you in the right direction!!
Most of all....Have fun!!

 

Oh, we are going to have fun with it, that's for sure! I am just getting more excited everyday! I know that peoples opinions will differ, what's important to me is that I am not forgetting anything or thinking one thing does this when it really dont! LOL!!

One question I have right now. With a FOWLR, do I use a wet / dry filter or a sump? These two are kicking my behind trying to figure out the difference between them.

 

Depending on how much live rock you're adding, you shouldn't need a wet/dry and should be able to get by with a sump/refugium. Your live rock will add as the biological filter in your system.

 

Oh, we are going to have fun with it, that's for sure! I am just getting more excited everyday! I know that peoples opinions will differ, what's important to me is that I am not forgetting anything or thinking one thing does this when it really dont! LOL!!

One question I have right now. With a FOWLR, do I use a wet / dry filter or a sump? These two are kicking my behind trying to figure out the difference between them.

With that size tank I would go with refugeum. That way you have room to put your equipment down there and you get the filtration, mehcanichal and nutrient export. You could also go with a sump, and add a turf filter for you nutrient export.

 

Ugh... So confusing. Is a sump and refugium the same thing? I know no matter what I need a protein skimmer. Do I need the bio balls with a sump? Could you give me a link to a sump / refugium?

 

Let's try to clarify.

Both of them are an additional tank kept off the main tank, usually in the bottom of the stand. Both increase water volume.

Sump: a place to store equipment without it being in the main tank such as heater, protein skimmer etc

Refugium: gives you a place to store equipment, but also a place to grow macro algae (to aid in nutrient export) and a place to grow pods which adds to the food source for your fish.

You can run modifications of each of these...but if you put it down to the basics...this is it.

 

So the refugium is better because you can grow the micro algae and the pods. Ok, that makes more sense to me. If you have time, could you post a link to each so I can't see the difference? When I go out to search, they look the same to me and most of the time I can differenetiate between the names. Sorry if I am being a pain, I just want to see the difference and have it come from an experinced user.

 

Ugh... So confusing. Is a sump and refugium the same thing? I know no matter what I need a protein skimmer. Do I need the bio balls with a sump? Could you give me a link to a sump / refugium?

Well the sump is more like a big power filter. It has the water filtration media, such as fiber pads and so forth. It also serves as a place to store the skimmer. Personally, in your case, I do not see the need for a skimmer. It will be your chooice as most will recommend using one. I do not use them at all, but all my tanks are FOWLR tanks. The refugeum is more like a refuge for critters. They sort of act as a secondary tank where you can house cleanup crue aswell as macro algea. The macro algae is what absorbs your nitrates and phosphates, this is what it's refered to as nutrient export. However they both act as a form of filtration. You can actually have both if you decide and the space and tank (for the sump/ref) allows it.

My opinions is is you are having sufficient rock, then no, bio-balls are not really needed.

Here is a link to a site that actually sells them. If it's too technical let me know I can give you another link;

What is a sump? | Melev's Reef.

So the refugium is better because you can grow the micro algae and the pods. Ok, that makes more sense to me. If you have time, could you post a link to each so I can't see the difference? When I go out to search, they look the same to me and most of the time I can differenetiate between the names. Sorry if I am being a pain, I just want to see the difference and have it come from an experinced user.

In basic form they are the same thing, but can act slightly different. The sump most of the time is not inclusive of macro algea. The refuge most of the times is not inclusive of the skimmer. Little things generally makes them different. However, there is no SET way of doing it. You could basically come up with your own filtration based on the needs of your tank.

You could actually just type the words sump, refugeum, to get a general understanding of the difference between them. However, they are basically a separate tank that hooks up to the main tank. You could have what ever you want in that tank aslong as you have space for it.

 

We use the sump which has the refugium in it.

First section has down flow through a sock and also in this section are smaller pieces of live rock. We keep bags of Phosguard, denitrate and active carbon in this part. In the mid section is the refugium which has a deep sand bed, a nasty crab and some ketamorpha. The last section houses the protein skimmer and return pump.

Basically you can have the combination and adapt the sump to your own personal preferences. e.g. Some use miracle mud and caulerpa instead of sand and ketamorpha.
Also the size of the sump may determine how you decide to set it out and what equipment you choose to add.

I will see if I can find some pics or diagrams that will be of more help.

This is the general idea of the combined that we have but our skimmer is at the opposite end.

Hope this helps.

 

Thanks for the wealth of information everyone! We have a tracking number for our new tank and looks to show up next week sometime! As I said earlier though, we aren't going to do much until after Christmas, plus, I have to sell my current freshwater 75 gallon and stand.

One problem I think I am going to run into in this journey is the closest LFS is an hour away. She has one reef tank and she does sell marine livestock. Just wish it wasn't so far away. I am hoping next time we go up there, she can show me how everything works. I need some hands on right now to get a better understanding of how everything works. You all have been amazing, but I need to see it all in action. I am thinking that maybe there is a saltwater aquarium instructional dvd out there, maybe that would help. Anyone know of such a thing?

 

Hey there!!!! I just snapped just a few quick pics...this is my set up...72 gal BF.....maybe u can get a little bit of an idea. My tank is not drilled, I have and use an overflow(which u will not need...thankfully), @korallia power heads(sizes 2 and 3), I have about 80 lbs of LR, T5 lighting, a boatload of corals, fish,shrimps,crabs,snails etc....
Under my tank is my refugium.(the size of a 20 gallon tall tank)..it is divided into compartmenst, my setup is a little differant than most because I ran into flow issues.In the first area is where my water comes into the tank from the overflow(this is where ALL of my issues were because of my tank NOT being drilled. I also have extra rock in this area(most people have it in the middle area) my skimmer is in the middle (this too is not really where it should be...again because of flow) and is also filthy....I have not cleaned in yet today..so please excuse that...then I have a compartment where I keep filter floss(not necessary)..in the last are is my mag9 pump...this brings the water back into my tank.My heater is in there also....This is all under the tank...excuse the poor pics...but I just hoped maybe it would help

A good LFS is wayyyyyyyyyy worth the drive!!!!! I go to one that is over 2 hours away.....I keep a cooler in my car.Whether its summer or winter all of my live purchasses go into the cooler.Everything transports just fine.Thankfully I have never ever lost a fish, coral,or even a sea horse because of having to travel a distance......good luck to ya!!!!!

 

Thanks for the wealth of information everyone! We have a tracking number for our new tank and looks to show up next week sometime! As I said earlier though, we aren't going to do much until after Christmas, plus, I have to sell my current freshwater 75 gallon and stand.

One problem I think I am going to run into in this journey is the closest LFS is an hour away. She has one reef tank and she does sell marine livestock. Just wish it wasn't so far away. I am hoping next time we go up there, she can show me how everything works. I need some hands on right now to get a better understanding of how everything works. You all have been amazing, but I need to see it all in action. I am thinking that maybe there is a saltwater aquarium instructional dvd out there, maybe that would help. Anyone know of such a thing?

I don't know about instructional DVD's as everyone has a different way of doing things. I'd try YouTube if you are wanting that type of instruction.

Follow the link for DIY sump part 1 + 2 to start you off

 

Congrats on the new tank. I have a 150 gallon reef and a 90g reef. I didn't have any sw experince when I got into it. I only have fw and wasn't that good at that. lol

My perferance would be to run a refugium, no bioball, canister filters, hobs, etc. Those think will do more harm than good. They collect debris and will have to be clean consisently to be effective.

I would run a prefilter(something easy to change and change it offten) into a sump with a skimmer in the same chamber, follow that with a refugium with chaeto and live rock, then a return chamber. Keep it simple IMO.

Don't forget to post pix when you get your new set up.

Hey there!!!! I just snapped just a few quick pics...this is my set up...72 gal BF.....maybe u can get a little bit of an idea. My tank is not drilled, I have and use an overflow(which u will not need...thankfully), @korallia power heads(sizes 2 and 3), I have about 80 lbs of LR, T5 lighting, a boatload of corals, fish,shrimps,crabs,snails etc....
Under my tank is my refugium.(the size of a 20 gallon tall tank)..it is divided into compartmenst, my setup is a little differant than most because I ran into flow issues.In the first area is where my water comes into the tank from the overflow(this is where ALL of my issues were because of my tank NOT being drilled. I also have extra rock in this area(most people have it in the middle area) my skimmer is in the middle (this too is not really where it should be...again because of flow) and is also filthy....I have not cleaned in yet today..so please excuse that...then I have a compartment where I keep filter floss(not necessary)..in the last are is my mag9 pump...this brings the water back into my tank.My heater is in there also....This is all under the tank...excuse the poor pics...but I just hoped maybe it would help

A good LFS is wayyyyyyyyyy worth the drive!!!!! I go to one that is over 2 hours away.....I keep a cooler in my car.Whether its summer or winter all of my live purchasses go into the cooler.Everything transports just fine.Thankfully I have never ever lost a fish, coral,or even a sea horse because of having to travel a distance......good luck to ya!!!!!

What a nice tank. I really like that "breezeway" in the LR.

Here's a my 150 gallon and 90g and sump/refugium.

My 150 gallon regfugium has tons of LR and chaeto in it. It flows from Right to Left.




The tank.




The tank looks a lot smaller in pix than it really is.


My 90g sump/refugium is much less complex. It's just a tank with no dividers. It's has 2 skimmers in it. The HOB is being used for carbon and phosguard not a filter.
It flows from Left to Right.




The tank is a semI aggressive tank with very few fish in it.

 

WOW!!!! Beautiful set=ups!!!!! The beeezeway.....is only because of where my aneneme wanted to be...lol.....u can't see in the pics....but its actually very open and cavey for my fish.

 

The video's were great! After scouring the net for a tank, building one would save me quite a bit of money. May end up doing that.

The wife and I were talking this morning and we both have a feeling that we will end up putting coral's in the tank at some point, so I need to make sure that the equippment I get will handle coral if/when we decide to get some.

What kind of medications / water conditioners do you all keep handy?

For the sump / refugium, how many pumps do you need? The skimmer usually has one, but is there a need for a second one? Does the pump on the skimmer also push the water back up to the tank?

 

LOL...good luck on all of it.......u will not want anything less than T5s...in case u do decide on corals.......also keep in my since u were aimoing at a fowler first.......be careful way down the road with choosing your fish.....as some ARE NOT reef safe...just incase u do decide.

I TRY MY BEST to NOT use any chemicals in any of my tanks(13 of them),,,,,but in the reef I do add at times iodine, trace emements,calcium...U will definitly need a Saltwater tesrter kit.......and how are u planning on your water??? R u going to purchase it already made? or are u looking into an ro/dI unit of your own....if planning this I can recommend the filterguys.com....they were great to deal with

For your tank size peronally I would go with nothing less than a mag9 pump...the skimmer will only clean the deposits out of your water....then back into the refugium...does not have power or purpose to put water back into the main tank...also needs to be cleaned daily

 

Initial setup for saltwaters is simple enough.
Good advise there from lorsbell about the reef safe fish.
Most systems take 6 months to mature to the point where you can add corals so gives you a good time to choose what you like and research their care.

I have to agree that the use of RO (or DI) water is needed. I live local to my LFS so choose to avoid the hastle of mixing my own saltwater and buy from there. However we do own our own RO unit so use that for top ups. (If you want more details of this just ask and either I or someone else will elaborate or alternatively check out some of the more recent threads in this beginners section and draw on some of the advise given to other saltwater beginners).

Test kits are the main tools you'll need for checking your water perameters.
Ammonia, Nitrite and nitrate are the same principle for set up as the freshwater and are essential for monitoring the nitrogen cycle. The ph is a higher range kit and preferable readings between 8.1-8.3 (but as long as it's stable this can be lower - mine runs on 7.8 in both my FOWLR and Reef)
If planning corals then Calcium, Magnesium, kh and Iodine are useful.
Salifert All in one is a good general all round additive and Magnesium on top of that.
The main test kit I have found essential is Phosphate - This toxin can suffocate corals and readings should be 0. I keep a bag of Phosguard in my sump to help keep the levels down.

Skimmer has pump for it's own purposes. A separate pump(we use a pond one) is needed to return water to the main tank. I'm not techy so you'll have to ask the guys here what gallon per hour you should need based on the tank size, sump size flow rate etc. You also need to work out how you are transfering the water from the maintank to the sump. There are several ways Some use a weir system, some a syphon style down pipe and others a pump. There may be other ways but like I said I'm not techy so this wil have to be your choice from advise from the rest of the guys here or your own research.

Good luck

 

I do plan on purchasing an RO unit. My question on this is, do you have to have it continuously hooked up and running water to your tank, or do you just get it out and run it to do a top off?

I live an hour away to an LFS, so I am going to have to do the top offs myself. How often do you all have to top off? I know it will very because of the size of the tanks, but just trying to get a feel for it.

Thanks for the info on the pump question. So the skimmer needs a pump and I will need a pump to return the water to the tank. I plan on two powerheads (I hope that is the correct terms for the two pumps in the tank that moves the water around). My question concerning those, is do they require pumps as well?

As far as the water down to the sump / refugium, my tank has a built in overflow, isn't that how the water gets down to the sump / refugium?

 

You run you RO filter separate from the tank. I fill 5 gal buckets with mine and store them until I need them.

I go though 3-4 gallons a day for top off, but I've been using a fan to blow on the sump water surface to help cool them. So this add to most of the evaportation.
I'll bet the average 75 without a fan will tank 1-2 gallons every 2-3 days. Just a guess.

Powerheads won't take a pump. You may think of a way to get good flow though your live rock also. I use power heads in my 150 gallon and powerheads from a undergravel filter in my 90g. You really don't want dead spots for debris to collect. The flow though the rock will help it to do it's job better.

You right about the overflow.

 

wow, 1 - 2 gallons of evaporation over a 2 - 3 day period? That's more than I expected.

I am thinking that since my tank is a bow front, maybe 3 power heads. One on each side and then a 3rd in the back angled so that it moves water through the rock. I guess since the cycle takes so long, I will have time to figure out the proper angles to hopefully eliminate dead spots and produce good flow in all areas of the tank.

Next question. How often does the skimmer have to be emptied? Is that something that no matter what, just make a habit of emptying it everyday?

 

It depends on how fast it fills. Everyday is good, it doesn't have to be full to empty it.

Remember evaporation depends on a lot of factors, so it maybe a lot less.

On you powerheads I would have the 2 on the side aimed at the water surface to "break" the surface and help with gas exchange. AI'm them towards each other to help create irratic water movement. You want to avoid the one flow direction as much as possible.

 

Got it.

Have another question. I ordered a gallon of Stress Coat Plus and a Marineland Canister 350 pro a few days before we bought the new aquarium. I don't think the Stress coat can be used in a Saltwater can it?

Now the Canister filter says it is either freshwater or marine. What are the disadvantages to using a canister filter like this on a saltwater tank? Does it limit the other things I can use? It's a hassle to ship stuff back, so I just want to make sure that it is inadvisable to use one before I go through the to send it back.

 

If your running a sump I don't think u have to use a canister.......I have a BF....72 gal....I use only 2 powerheads...dont forget the kind of reflect off of the glass......I woulds only start with 2.....U are also going to have to return the water back into the tank...that will also help with circulation. When u get your skimmer it should come with its own pump(manufactured that way) ...check out the "G series" they are awesome. I have never used stress coat on Saltwater fish...I have however used Metronidazole on their food to prevent Ick...this was when I first purchassed a blue-hippo-tang...it was a very small young one and I was advissed by my store to do this....as a preventative...I have no idea id any else uses the stress coat with Saltwater fish.
As stated b4.....check out the filterguys.com........they are the bomb!!!!! (for RO/DI unit).....I make 32 gallons of Saltwater when I do it.....I use a plastic trash can(new)...b4 I add my salt ,I take out about 10 gallons of water and keep it in my empty salt buckets...they have lids and work great.If I am doing all 3 Saltwater tanks ...I just make some more to fill the trash can back up....,I toss my extra pump in the can...get it moving around then add my salt. when finished taking old water out of the tank....I hook a hose up to the pump in the can and just pump it back into the tank....simple.....

If u do try the filter guys for their units ...I got an on/off switch with mine...we installed mine under my extra bathroom sink....when I'm done I just close the switch,and store the unit itself and hoses under the cabinate......we had an extreme hot summer and even with 3 Saltwater tanks...I've never gone through 10 gallons in a week of top off water.(plain ro/di..not salted.

How bout lites????? Any decissions on that part yet????....your getting there!!!!!!

 

I would not use the canister. Unless you want to clean it out every week. It will only hold debris and bring up your nitrate levels.
Think about it all those filters do is hold waste, which is still in full contact with the water in your tank. Now it's breaking down and be coming nitrate.
At least with a protein skimmer the waste is removed and not in contract with the water to break down into nitrate.

If you do decide to run it remember to clean it often. I would fill it with live rock, carbon, and phosphate remover.

 

Lanlesnee, after what you said, I will just send the canister filter and Stress Coat back. I may keep the stress coat and throw it in with my 75 fresh when I sell it. Always good to have that around with a fresh water.

Lorabell, I did checkout filterguys.NET, took me awhile to find it until I tried .net! LOL!!! They do seem to have pretty good prices. So what you are saying is you will run a batch of RO/DI water and store it in buckets until you need it. That seems like a great deal! I do have a sink I could install this on so that I am not hooking it up and putting it away every time I need to use it. Thanks for that info!

Lights... Well, I am going to go with the T5. As I stated earlier, I think at some point we are going ot throw some corals in, so I want to be prepared for that. I am thinking of getting a 6 or 8 bulb fixture so that I have options on how many bulbs I have going. Maybe with just the live rock, clean up crew and a few fish, all I will need is maybe 3 or 4 lights. put in 3 or 4 bulbs and run with it. Then if I see I need more, I can throw in come more bulbs. I am also considering the LED fixtures, but I need to wait on the aquarium so that I can look at the canopy and see how it is layed out.

As I said in the begining, I want everything hidden, so that will be the main goal and why I will take my time putting this together.

Ok, my next question. I haven't figured out the term yet, but I see pictures of peoples tanks once in awhile and I see red stuff on the back walls of the tank. Is that good? I think it looks bad and would like to stay away from it. Can you explain what that is to me?

 

Once your tank gets established...its actually agood thing....and its very hard to get off....type of coraline algae...it kinda of grows as your rock grows,matures.....its harmless.I can't think of they scientific name.

T5s are a great choice, even in a fowlr, I have a 6 bulb unit.....it houses 3 actinic bulbs and 3 daylite bulbs. I keep this tank on a timer...just some more info...lol.....the actinics come on 2 hours b4 the rest,they stay on 2 hours after the daylite ones go off.....this create a"natural" type setting for my corals....they wake up slowly and go to sleep slowly. In nature the sunlite would tell these animals to "tuck in" for the night. Beins that your are goin all out...and depending on tankplacement u may also choose a unit that offers moonlights...or maybe add them later...Its an absolutely AWESOME look to the tank when all the other lights are off. The tank inhabitants look and act soooooooooooo differantly. I do not have moonlights on my reef....because its in my computer room....if it were in my LR I would have them( were not really in this room at night)...I do however have them on my 55 gall SeaHorse tank and my frag tank.

See were just keepin' ya hoppin!!!!!!!!! I can't wait to see the progress of this tank.

 

Yep, Coralline Algae, that's what I was talking about. Here is the problem. I think it looks terrible when it is on the walls of the tank. There is no way I could handle that and I know the wife couldnt. If it is on the live rocks, that's fine, but I would rather not have it at all. Is it a must to let this algae populate my tank? What wil I gain and lose by having it or removing it?

I wouldnt say I am going all out, but I do want it to look good. I do plan on moonlights and I guess I just didnt research enough yet as I thought the blue actinic lights were also the moonlights. Glad I know the difference now! I just don't know if the LED fixtures are far enough along technology wise to handle a reef tank. I would like the ability such as what you said to allow the lights to come on like your's. But I will throw the moonlights into the mix as well!

 

LOL.....I don't mean it that way...lol...You are doing it the RIGHT way......and doing your research.......in the long run..in case u switch up after a while (go with corals) u will be much happier if u start out with the T5s or the metal halides...if u go reef one or the others of these is a must...

Sorry about the filter guys...lol.... at least I got theyre name right....lol...but they are very helpful. Heres another trick....for water making......my GF has the same tank as I do.....she had a sink installed in her garage...great set-up(does in it new trash can also)...however in the summer her water gets kind of warm and very cold in the winter(she has to use a heater to get it to proper temp)....mine is in extra bathroom..in the middle of the house......(and while making your water...u only use the cold water) so I can mix a batch and go......so maybe placement of the unit might be something to think about also.....

Check out this post of mine...I do not want to scare u... AND I DO CLEAN IT UP...BUT I ALSO HAVE 13 TANKS......


My biggest tanks are the easiest......

 

No, I know what you meant! So what do you think of my statement about the Coralline Algae?

 

I don't think your going to lose or gain anything by removing the coraline. So things do eat it, but it wouldn't kill them not to have it on the glass.

It's a preferance thing. I personally like to see coraline in a tank. It shows a healthy tank.

If you want to clean it I would suggest cleaning it everyday with a magnet type cleaner/scraper. Once it takes a good hold it will take a good razor to scrap it off.

 

I personally allow algae to grow on my back and side glass. I only clean the front glass of my tanks. My fish nibble on it which is good for them to eat some live plants.

 

LOL....to me its just a never ending bettle....lol.....I do the same...keep it off my front...but I also try to manage it on my sides...the back....ohhhhhhhhhhhh well.....

I also think it shows a good healthey tank....and trust me...once u get your rock.....your gonna be hoping for it!!!!!

 

It would be kind of hard to keep off the back with a magfloat scraper if you have the back painted black. You'd have to use a scraper with a handle probably every day or go unpainted. Plus you'll have to aquascape so you can get by all of the rocks. Tricky. But it can be done.