what do I ad first to start a reef?

joleah · #1 11/04/2005, 01:56 PM

Hi everyone! I have a 55 gal saltwater tank w/ about 20lbs live rock, aragonite sand, 3 fish (blue tang, clown, l/m blennie). My goal is a reef tank. I do not have a skimmer right now, just 2 filters and the tank is doing really well (for about 1 year so far). Should I get a skimmer first, even though everything is great? Isn't there something I could add now, to see how it does, like an anenome or something? Any info or suggestions is really appreciated, and of course, I'm on a budget.

jedimike · #2 11/04/2005, 02:13 PM

You'll need to upgrade your lighting first. Different corals have different lighting needs, but all of them (to my knowledge) have the ability to process nutrients through light.

A lot of anemones require strong lighting. Some people have success with Bubble Tips under PC lighting.

joleah · #3 11/04/2005, 02:22 PM

Any suggestion on specific lighting set-ups? is there a light that works well for many diff. species?

Mud Shrimp Moe · #4 11/04/2005, 02:22 PM

Not knowing your lighting, I'd say see how some mushrooms do first and then venture into other stuff.

Avoid anemones until you see how soft corals do.

Nami19 · #5 11/04/2005, 02:55 PM

Being on a budget, IMO a coralife PC would probably be the least expensive. I believe the 260W would fit your 55G tank and give you about 4.7W(s) per gallon.

There on sale at http://www.marineandreef.com for $195, marked down from $250.

Grunthor · #6 11/04/2005, 03:04 PM

It depends upon what kind of corals that you're planning to keep. Get the best lighting that you can afford. I thought that I would just want to do low to moderate light corals and bought a nice PC lighting fixture only to end up wanting colorful acropora. Do some research, look at some of the tanks of the month for inspiration, do some more research. Keep in mind that your wants may change as you learn more. I've been kicking myself for not getting more intense lights from the beginning. Get Metal Halide fixtures or T5's for corals that require a lot of light. PCs are fine for low to moderate light corals.

I think you need a good skimmer too.

meco65 · #7 11/04/2005, 03:08 PM

I know some that use lights from wal-mart they are compact fluorescents they use 25 watts and put out 100 watts and they also have some that use 45 and put out 200 you can put about four on your tank that would be 400 or 800 watt depending on the ones used. than add a 20 watt actinic, Just an option. I use two 100 watt on my 20 gal and one 15 watt actinic and every thing dose great.