Any tips?

[kaytren101]

Hi! I've had a 20 gallon freshwater for as long as I can remember (I'm 24), I've had a 60 for about 5 years now, an axolotl for 2. I just got a 90 gallon for free from a family friend. It was a freshwater, but I want to make it a reef tank. I am going to college and I'm actually helping the biology department head in cleaning and maintaining their 150 gallon reef tank. I test it, water change, clean, and feed the fish (including any minerals/vitamins).

Any tips? I plan on getting an RO/DI system and DIY sump since it came with a canister filter.

 

[Retro Reefer]

Welcome to R2R! Here is a good place to start..

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

 

[Hemmdog]

Welcome to reef2reef!
Spend some time on here. Check out build threads. Figure out exactly what you want to do before you buy things that aren’t good or you don’t need.

 

[DMG Reef]

Welcome to R2R! Good advice given above already.

 

[Peace River]

Welcome to R2R!!! The link to the article shared above is a great place to start. We're glad you're here!

 

[The Aquatic Arsenal]

Take it slow

 

[Billldg]

Welcome to R2R!!!

 

[Quietman]

Welcome Aboard R2R!!! Nope, no tips here. You're on your own...unless you ask a question, any question, try us!

 

[Auquanut]

Welcome to the family! Tips? Patience. Take it slow and ask lots of questions. Glad to have you with us!

 

[sp1187]

welcome to the show.
we all have ideas and love to share them.
:cool:

 

[W1ngz]

Welcome!

Since you already have some hands-on reef experience, you probably already know that saltwater and freshwater can be very different.
Tips:
Join Reef2Reef!

Decorations, plastic plants, canister filters are all poor choices in salt water.

When you get started, you're not cycling biomedia in your filter as you would in freshwater, you're cycling the rock which is where your nitrogen cycle happens.

Before you even get started, check your local water supply. Do they use chlorine or chloramines? What's the TDS of the water out of the tap? It's rare that municipal water is suitable to just be dechlorinated and aerated before using it. Most would recommend producing your own RODI water to start a reef with.

 

[KJ]

Welcome to R2R!!!

 

[Ippyroy]

Welcome to R2R!!!

 

[Mical]

Welcome! It sounds like you're on the right course and as mentioned patience & planning are your allies.

 

[Daniel92481]

Welcome to R2R! :)

 

[Salt & Peper]

Welcome to R2R!!! Lot's of good advise above.

 

[P-Dub]

WELCOME!!! GREAT to have you with us. All the tips received so far are great ones. Here is another. We are a nosey bunch and would love to follow along on your personal reefing journey. Post up a build thread in the Member Tanks section and do not forget to post many, many photos.

 

[LiveWire]

Welcome to the REEF!!

 

[Crabs McJones]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

Welcome to the salty side!