My first reef need advice

[vaindioux]

Hi

I am getting organize to set up my first reef tank. I got the tank, stand, wet-dry filter and I just got a huge amount of dry rock (I have extra for sale cheap if interested less than $1/lbs.)
What are the mistakes to avoid when starting a reef? I want to start slow of course and add things one at a time.
What fish do you recommend?

Thanks

Patrick

 

[lsu_fishfan]

As far as fish go, there is a number of reef safe fish you can have depending on the size tank you have. Check out

 

[jc_k]

Dottybkacks, Cardnialfish, firefish gobies, clowns, blennys- those are some of the fish I started off with. And remeber befor you buy do lots of research on the fish.

 

[heathlindner25]

Wet/dry sumps are not ideal for reefs.

 

[acroholic]

First things first. Is everything hooked up and do you have water in the tank, etc?

Are you wanting to do a reef, or are you doing fish only? You did not mention lights or corals or anything else. And when you say wet-dry, do you mean an empty sump with no bio balls, etc.? A sump with bioballs is not an ideal filter for a reef tank, as Heath said.

 

[wannabeeareefkeeper]

<u>Keynote #1</u> -- You've got it already. Your statement "..... start slow". Everything comes to a bubble i.e. boiling point when you begin to rush anything in this hobby.

<u>Keynote #2</u> -- Quarantine, Quarantine, Quarantine!! Here's a link: http://www.liveaquaria.com/PIC/article.cfm?aid=175">http://www.liveaquaria.com/PIC/article.cfm?aid=175</a> . Or you can search the topic here at ARC. JennM has a great write up on this topic you can find here on the ARC website.

<u>[B]Keynote #3[/B]</u> -- Compatibility is Critical to avoid spending a lot of money on food for others within the reef; flake or pellets are less expensive. A compatibility list can be found here: [IMG]http://www.liveaquaria.com/general/compatibility_chart.cfm">http://www.liveaquaria.com/general/compatibility_chart.cfm</a>

Good luck and did I forget to mention the most important word in a new reefer's vocabulary; [B]<u>RESEARCH</u>[/B]. Be careful from whom you get your research information. Gathering relative information to your specific setup will be beneficial to you in the long run [or possibly the short run] of the achievement your attempting to complete.

Wannabee :o)

 

[vaindioux]

I haven't purchase the lights yet, one thing at a time. I didn't know that a wet dry filter with bio balls is not good for a reef. Which filter do you recommend?

Thanks

 

[mikesmith34]

vaindioux;959830 wrote: I haven't purchase the lights yet, one thing at a time. I didn't know that a wet dry filter with bio balls is not good for a reef. Which filter do you recommend?

Thanks

You will want to set up a sump with a possible refugium. You can have macro algea and live rock in it. You will also not want to skimp on your skimmer as it is extremely important to the health of your reef.
Make sure it matches the size of your tank. I would do an enormous amount of research as you are setting up and have fun.

 

[tshives26]

What type of live rock are you selling?