New Guy - First Reef Tank :)

Basically, the filtration occurs in the LS, LR, Algae and LW. It is all about biology. Please feel free to read the WMAS Reefkeeping Tips thread to get a good understanding of how to set up an affordable reef tank to make use of that biology. As an example, the tank in the pic above was just 3 months old at the time. An inexpensive HOB filter (found at the DI was used just 2 weeks/month to run AC. How many pieces of equipment can you see? There are just two small powerheads. That was 10 years ago. Today we have stream pumps that are awesome. I use only one stream powerhead, placed at the bottom shooting up to the top. See the pic below.

The best things to test for are Salinity (hydrometer - $11) and Temperature (stick on thermometer -$2). After that, but not needed for at least two months, is to know the levels of Alkalinity and Calcium. Though the hobby in general speaks of the nitrogen cycle of Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate, IMO it's not worth buying those test kits for the short time we might use them and if the "affordable reef aquarium" method is followed, there will be almost no cycle to worry about.

Several times you have mentioned that you are on a tight budget. Most of your reading will be about how to spend money on equipment. There are many that want your money and most of us enjoy having the stuff that money can buy. Please don't misunderstand my intentions. I'm a bit of a cowboy reefkeeper. I find enjoyment in showing hobbyists how it can be done very nicely on a simple budget.

Aloha,
Mark
808-345-1049 anytime


One of my most recent tanks at set up. Notice the wave action, visible in this still photo as a curvy water line. This is the effect of a single $20 stream pump(Maxijet 1200 purchased online) in a 40 gal breeder (with the top brace ripped off). BTW, I love using the sun for lighting. Everything does so much better in the sun.



Edited by Mark Peterson - August 27 2013 at 7:06am

The tests to have are definitely alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, and phosphates. The others will just be a waste after initial set up. Want a few? I have some for you lol.

Macro algae in small tanks will be just as helpful as a skimmer, so use both! I'd suggest getting some chaetomorpha and caulerpa... The caulerpa grows quick to help suck up the baddies fast and the chaeto will help keep anything the caulerpa releases in check. Need chaeto? Come get some lol. I always have some on hand. Its easier to start off with the right stuff than it is to catch up after using the wrong stuff first.

Blake, I live in Provo and if you ever want to stop by and see my setup or have any questions let me know.

It seems to me from what you are asking, that you have not yet read the Reefkeeping Tips thread on how to set up an affordable reef aquarium using inexpensive local materials.

1. For lighting I recommend sunlight in an east/south facing window. It's perfect light for cheap. For supplemental lighting (for viewing when the sun goes down), get something used from here on the forum.
2. A heater is not needed until winter, if ever.
3. There will be no need for a HOB filter for at least 3 months. DO NOT use a biowheel HOB filter. Those may work for freshwater but the biowheel is a catastrophe in a reef tank.
4. Maxijet powerheads are the best for the money. I would get a MJ1200 and place it down at the bottom shooting up, but not with the stream/propeller attachment. That would be too much flow for a 30 gal. Save the propeller for later use in a larger tank.
5. This was not on your list but prepare yourself for the amount of snails you will need to keep algae in check. I would budget 30 snails (one per gal) at $1 each and plan on replenishing them every 4-6 months.

Please feel free to call if you would like help setting up a beautiful reef aquarium on a budget.

Aloha,
Mark
808-345-1049 call/text anytime


Edited by Mark Peterson - August 27 2013 at 1:36pm

It's in that thread!

Haha like I said you'll get plenty of information if you ask on this forum! Also Blake, I'm just in Orem and have many a time been asked to come check out (and even set up) new tanks I'm at your disposal with anything you need help with :)

regarding your question about snails and hermit crabs; you don't need them specifically for live rock, you need them to keep it clean and to eat anything that you don't want just sitting and rotting at the bottom of your tank. they are excellent and essential scavengers. IF you're wanting any used equipment I'd be happy to just give it to you, I maintain a tank in my parents house aside from my other ones and will be replacing the filter soon if you'd like it? also have a few other random things.

Blake I think part of the confusion is your use of pump where you should be using powerhead. Technically powerheads are pumps but they only move water inside the tank and not having to "pump" water, under pressure, over the side of the tank or back to the tank from a sump.

Will you be running the Koralias on a wave maker, or just full on all the time? If both full on all the time then that is way too much flow. I have a 28G and I run 3 koralia nano's in it but they are on a wavemaker and only two of them are ever on at one time. when all 3 of them are on water is blown over the edge of the tank. I believe the nano's move about 260gph so total I am about 750gph in my 28. Much more than that and you are going to have sand blowing everywhere.

I am growing everything in my tank. Zoa's/Paly's, softies, LPS, and SPS.


Edited by Krazie4Acans - August 29 2013 at 1:35pm

Putting Koralias on a wave maker is not recommended by the manufacturer and they do make noise when they start up. So you need to be willing to replace them periodically (about every 3 years) and be able to deal with the short rattle at startup each time the powerhead turns on.

I use an Oceans Motions 4 controller for mine. they don't control speed, just how long each powerhead is on and how many are on at one time. Hope that helps.

Timers can simulate a controller but take up a ton of space. My wave maker can control 4 devices and is about the size of two timers. It only takes up one spot on my power strip. As I said if I turn on all 3 of my powerheads at once it will blow water over the edge of the tank. So the controller guarantees me that there will never be more than two on at a time. Plus I have three of them and it randomizes which tow are on which changes up the flow really well. Using timers would kind of do the same thing but I could never guarantee that the third one wouldn't come on and most timers let you set times in 15 minute intervals. I've never seen an ocean wave last 15 minutes. The ones the let you set them shorter limit how many times they will turn on and off per day. So the short answer is timers have to be messed with all of the time and didn't give me the peace of mind I needed. The Controller was a set it and forget it device and has worked flawlessly for 3 years.

I also like the feed feature that shuts all the powerheads off for 5 minutes and then automatically resumes the random mode.

I'm a bit delayed but welcome to the site and the hobby!