First reef tank - how would you prioritize the items you eventually bought

[nvierra]

Hello,

My wife and I have had freshwater tanks for decades and successfully bred taiwan bees and various neo's. We've always wanted to do a reef tank though and finally bought and setup a 65 gal this weekend. We've been out of the hobby for 6 years so it's been a while and I need help knowing what you would buy first. The goal is to have some fish and invertebrates but I am really interested in torches, hammers, etc. Here's what we have so far:

54 gal Tank
11 gal sump
60 lbs live sand
Pumice media in sump
12 lbs of live rock
Haven't ordered a light yet. Looking at 2 AI blade 30"s. We only want sit on top lights. We do not want goose necks or anything hanging due to the location of the tank. Thoughts on lights for these corals? Suggestions?

Filled with saltwater prepped by lfs yesterday and then added FishZyme 9 and Fishless Fuel.

I already know we need to start testing for nitrates and ammonia. I've already gone slightly over budget on the setup so I'm trying to space things out a little bit. What else is an immediate need? Phosphate kit? Mag kit? Refractomers? Hydrometers? Skimmers? The toilet paper looking rolly thing that I've never seen before? Refugium? Help me spend my money!

 

[Fish Fan]

I definitely suggest getting the Tropic Marin hydrometer or a good refractometer. Double check the salinity of the water from your fish store, don't just assume it's "perfect" because you got it from your fish store.

Then, typically you'd want to watch your ammonia and nitrate during your cycle. A lot of people here on R2R hate on the API brand test kits, but they are one of the cheaper options, and just fine to cycle your tank.

Good luck!

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I would prioritize a way to make saltwater yourself. Who knows how much care they take of their equipment. It all starts with water quality and ability to control the quality from the beginning is very important. A rodi unit and salt mix should be prioritized IMO.

Also personally I would get much more rock than just 12 lbs, rock is so important for so many reasons. Its usually suggested to get 1 lbs per gallon.... in the old days it was suggested to get 2 lbs per gallon can you believe it?

good luck

 

[steveschuerger]

My order of purchase for my first tank was
1-tank itself, a biocube 16 gallon.
2-live sand , salt, refractometer
3-live rock after the tank arrived of course. And that was a logistical nightmare with Amazon. They had to a second as the first never made it to me “damaged in transport”.
And a mix of Hanna and Salifert test kits.

 

[nvierra]

Then, typically you'd want to watch your ammonia and nitrate during your cycle. A lot of people here on R2R hate on the API brand test kits, but they are one of the cheaper options, and just fine to cycle your tank.

Good to know. I think more expensive test kits are on the table down the road, so maybe I can get by with the API for now.

I would prioritize a way to make saltwater yourself. Who knows how much care they take of their equipment. It all starts with water quality and ability to control the quality from the beginning is very important. A rodi unit and salt mix should be prioritized IMO.

Also personally I would get much more rock than just 12 lbs, rock is so important for so many reasons. Its usually suggested to get 1 lbs per gallon.... in the old days it was suggested to get 2 lbs per gallon can you believe it?

Also good to know. I didn't give using their water a second thought. Just shows my ignorance at this point. I had an RO system on the list already, so that will go to the top because getting more water from the lfs is not convenient either.

I stand corrected. My wife picked out all of the rock while I was busy looking at the tank. She got 36 lbs. My bad. Definitely sounds like there's still room for more then.

 

[nvierra]

My order of purchase for my first tank was
1-tank itself, a biocube 16 gallon.
2-live sand , salt, refractometer
3-live rock after the tank arrived of course. And that was a logistical nightmare with Amazon. They had to a second as the first never made it to me “damaged in transport”.
And a mix of Hanna and Salifert test kits.

Perfect. Thank you for the reply!

 

[nvierra]

forgot to add a pic. Really needs lights. Any suggestions?

 

[exnisstech]

I wouldn't get too carried aways with test kits starting off. I have several tanks including an SPS tank and only own nitrate, phosphate, alk I have a calcium kit but only test calcium once every month or two. I use a tropic marin hydrometer for salinty.
I'll second an RODI system. I'm not very trusting so I won't let someone else mix my saltwater. Too easy for an employee to get lazy or be careless. Lights will be your biggest expense. I have reefbreeders photons and they sit on the tank. They've been discontinued and replaced with the Meridian but still offer the same mounts. Another option would be a light mount made of if 80 20 stock and attach it to the stand or wall behind the stand. There are many lights available that will all grow coral.

Crappy pic to show how the photons mount.

 

[JumboShrimp]

You will be happy with the AI Grow Blades. I have mine lifted up on the "L" stands they sell-- about $25 for the two-pack.

I agree that an RODI system is very important. The BRS systems are expandable, if your budget needs to start small at first. You can fill your tank with distilled water until the RODI units go back on sale-- Lol!!

 

[nvierra]

I wouldn't get too carried aways with test kits starting off. I have several tanks including an SPS tank and only own nitrate, phosphate, alk I have a calcium kit but only test calcium once every month or two. I use a tropic marin hydrometer for salinty.
I'll second an RODI system. I'm not very trusting so I won't let someone else mix my saltwater. Too easy for an employee to get lazy or be careless. Lights will be your biggest expense. I have reefbreeders photons and they sit on the tank. They've been discontinued and replaced with the Meridian but still offer the same mounts. Another option would be a light mount made of if 80 20 stock and attach it to the stand or wall behind the stand. There are many lights available that will all grow coral.

Crappy pic to show how the photons mount.

I was shocked by the lighting cost. That's something I didn't factor into this initially, hence going way over budget. I also didn't expect to pay so much for sand. For some reason I thought they were both cheaper. But thats ok. I still have $700 for my next few purchases until I can save some more or sell some things.

 

[nvierra]

When do power heads become necessary? Are they only needed when fish or certain corals need more flow/food to move around the tank? I was thinking I would need them during cycling but no one has mentioned them yet. If they can wait, even better!

 

[steveschuerger]

When do power heads become necessary? Are they only needed when fish or certain corals need more flow/food to move around the tank? I was thinking I would need them during cycling but no one has mentioned them yet. If they can wait, even better!

Oh yeah, I bought a Tunze 6040 for the tank when I set it up. You should have a little circulation while cycling the tank. Return pumps should be good enough for the moment. I have the Innovative Marine 25 AIO and it comes with 2 return openings. But I picked up my pumps cause that way everything is up and running when i add the live stock.
I’ve used a few different lights but my favorite was the ReefBreeders Photon v2. I’d get them again now even if used.

 

[TheNative192]

When do power heads become necessary? Are they only needed when fish or certain corals need more flow/food to move around the tank? I was thinking I would need them during cycling but no one has mentioned them yet. If they can wait, even better!

Awesome tank! I bet you are excited! Any special fish plans yet?

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

forgot to add a pic. Really needs lights. Any suggestions?

You really don't even need lights until you are adding coral. That buys you a little time. Fin fish don't require them, although not having them when you get your first fish will limit your enjoyment of them. Also, I'm sorry if I missed this somewhere, but what do you intend to keep in the tank? That will also drive what lights to buy and how much you need to spend on them.

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

You really don't even need lights until you are adding coral. That buys you a little time. Fin fish don't require them, although not having them when you get your first fish will limit your enjoyment of them. Also, I'm sorry if I missed this somewhere, but what do you intend to keep in the tank? That will also drive what lights to buy and how much you need to spend on them.

Disregard, I see it now!

 

[nvierra]

Awesome tank! I bet you are excited! Any special fish plans yet?

Well, we love inverts, so definitely going to have a couple shrimp. We both love Goby's, so 1-2? Need to look up their adult size first. She is begging for a pair of clowns, and man were we surprised to see all of the new colors and patterns that have come about in the last 10 years. So not sure which of those yet. After that, who knows? Any suggestions are much appreciated based on our tank size and being new to the hobby.

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

forgot to add a pic. Really needs lights. Any suggestions?

For torches and hammers, they don't need or thrive under excessive lighting. Imo, you don't need high dollar lighting for them.

 

[nvierra]

Disregard, I see it now!

No worries. I went ahead and ordered a few more things this morning. My amazon cart reminded me of @TheNative192 gif from their signature.

Bought an Aquaillumination blade - 30" - we like the mounting options.
Refractometer
TDS meter
Salt mix
Cheapy API test kit just to get by for now with nitrates and ammonia. I'll buy a Hanna set later.
Splitter for my outflow
Ball valve for my return. The current one is too restrictive and I'm having to reduce the pump down to 40% power to avoid overwhelming the return. I'll install that tomorrow.
Still searching for an RODI system..

I've already had to add 2 gallons from evaporation in the last 6 days... Not sure if that's normal? Thinking of evaporation, does the salinity climb enough to where you would ever mix salt/water at way lower levels and add to dilute it? That would makes sense to my brain at least. I'm sure there's a table or chart for this somewhere?

 

[azreefer93]

Nice tank with rockscape. Make sure you invest in a good trusted ATO as well, I saw many systems failed because of ATO. My priority for the equipment would be like this when starting up a new tank:
1. ATO & Return Pump
2. Skimmer
3. Heating Cooling
4. Light & Flow
Etc

 

[nvierra]

I need help with powerhead options. I'm reading that my tank needs 25-35x turnover for a mixed reef = 1350-1900 gph. I want 2 powerheads so I'm looking at the Hydor Koralia Evolution 850's. 2 would put me at the top end of that range at 1700 if they're maxed out. That seems to fit manufacturer's specs on them. Would these be a good fit for a mixed reef with small fish and some inverts later? I can't decide if I should do the 600's at high power, or 850's and run them very low?