direction of tank

Aquaman

Aquaman

New member
hey guys ... so heres the deal .. I set up my tank and had it all planned out .or so I thought . I though I get a refuge and I can keep all coral ( my lack of knowledge made me think this ) anyways so now after talking to some people I found out differently ...now im in a delema which direction to take my tank .. I know it all comes down to personal preference but ... I cant decide


im not a fowlr type of guy I like coral

I love zoas ( but they like dirty water sps hate dirty water)

im not to crazy about leather (ugly colorless corals)

but also I do like sps (but they like clean water and zoas like dirty water)


I was about to buy refugium mud cuz I though that would solve my problems with keeping fancy corals (cuz most of the most popular reefers have refugiums ...they say a mixed reef is almost next to impossible... so now this has deflated my hopes..so I decided to wait till I know what to do Mario at aquatic says it is possible to have a mixed reef tank but im not sure how to go about doing it successfully ...I currently have at my disposal

gen 1 radeon
R.O ss1000 skimmer
brs gfo reactor
and bubble magus 3 stage doser
my tank is a 60 gal cube
and sump is huge (ask Mr, Will lutman) the fuge is currently empty... now im unsure what to do with it
I currently had a 24 nano that has sps and lps and for the most part looks ok ... i never dosed... or ran a gfo ..and my skimmer is a piece of crap and barely works ....
im now an expert about how water chemistry works... i throw things in my tank and hope they live so far this has worked for me .. but this is a different set up and i need some guidance
if i can keep a mixed reef tank how do i do it ??
++ THIS IS NOT A FOR SALE THREAD>> I just need some advice
 
nop dr tims went in yesterday and 2 clowns.. i want to give it a lil bit (not sure) till i add corals ..i have a huge sump ,,,but now im not sure what to do with it ?
 
Just slowly set the tank up bro. I have a mixed reef and it's doing fine. The only softies I have are znps, but I also have a ton of acros. Both grow well. As long as you're doing your regular water changes, you should be able to keep both successfully.

Skip the mud for the fuge. All you really need is some rock in there and some chaeto. If you want to put sand in the fuge you can, but it's not all that necessary. Just take your time, set if up piece by piece. When you rush things is when you run into problems.

FWIW, here's my advice: get the tank, light, sump and fuge, and rock work set up. You can hook your reactor up, just don't put any GFO in it for the time being. Just plumb it into the system.

Fill the tank (regular tap water) prior to putting the rock and sand in, after you've done your plumbing to leak test it for a couple days. Drain the tank, wipe it down, then add your rock work and sand. Now fill it with salt water and let it run.

The doser, you will not need right away, but get it hooked up where you intend on keeping it. This way, you don't have to mess around with it when the tank is up and running.

Once you have the tank up and running, after it has cycled (use Dr. Tims one and only), and after you've added your corals, start testing weekly to see what you're parameters are at. Then, and only then, should you consider even starting to dose. This is important!!! Don't blindly dose anything without knowing how much your corals are uptaking. Once you have the uptake determined, then you can slowly start using your doser. Start slow at first. Then test. If you're still not dosing enough, up the dosage, slowly. Test again. Continue doing this until you're parameters are stable with the dosing.

Once you start getting phosphate readings, then it's time to slowly add some GFO into your reactor. Add this slow as well. Whatever they're telling you to add, divide it by 4. Same things applies, test, then add, test, then add.

Don't get discouraged bro. I've personally had aquariums for almost 30 years now. I only started keeping a reef tank recently, like November of last year. I'm still learning, and having all the experienced people on here has helped me a lot.

Google everything, don't go into an lfs and take their word on everything. I could pee in my tank and it thrives, while you try it and you nuke the tank. My point is that everyone does something different and gets different results, while others do the same thing and have some success, while others fail.

Best thing is to buy a couple books, The Nano Reef is a good one, so is Aquarium Corals by Bormann. Read up and learn. Use google as your ally. You have the world at your fingertips. I always google everything prior to making a decision, or to troubleshoot what problem I'm having. Undoubtedly there will be someone out there who has experienced, and solved the same problem. It just takes some searching is all.

Good luck bro, and don't throw the towel in. Pick a method and go with it. You're gonna hear 50 different versions of what people think is right. Pick the one that most people have success with.
 
First, it sounds like you've got everything you need to keep a tank! :) If you're skimmer is not that great - get a solid one, a good skimmer made a world of difference for me.

As for what to put in it... well, you're right it's basically 100% personal choice. If you'd rather not try out a mixed tank, choose one or the other, and then try a cheap frag or two of whatever you didn't try to see if you want to do a mixed reef.

For your refugium - they're rather simple really, and overall I would recommend them, if for nothing else than a cool place to grow pods, and throw misbehaving parts of your display tank. You don't need special mud, or anything really - keep it simple. Sand (if you want it, some people use it as a chance to throw a bit of a deep sand bed in, cryptic zone etc...), or bare bottom with live rock rubble. Ask around for some chaeto when you're ready, someone will have some on hand for you, and if you really wanted to go a bit more in-depth, find a slower growing and a medium growing macro-algae... but you can also just use chaeto and be done with it. Personally, I like macro algae, so I like growing different types, but that's just personal preference.

Huge sumps are great by the way! I wish mine were bigger! Room to maneuver and work in them, put in a nice refugium, harbor live rock, or rock rubble, put in reactors, etc... it's great! You'll find one way or another of filling it all up, lol!

Oh, and a final note - while most leather coral is not as flashy as other coral, there are some pieces with nice colors out there. The overall subclass of octocorals (includes star polyps, leathers, as well as several spiecies that we don't see very often) is actually incredibly beautiful! Just, the ones that are crazy colorful are more typically filter feeders, and have been met with no or very limited success - if you can even get a hold of it. Look up carnation coral, chili coral, and some types of tree corals - they're gorgeous!! But yes, readily available leathers... offhand aren't as neat :)

Edit: Damnit Dom! Beat me to it :)
 
I am a noob. I have a mixed reef. its not that hard you just have to find the right palys some work some don't at least for me
 
I had carnation corals before ...crash and burn... I never fed it lots cuz my old skimmer sucked miserably.. my new one should rock its a reef octopus... so it should work well ...I really appreciate the advice... I will keep checking back incase anyone want to add more to this :)
 
I am getting away with the minimum lol a hob aquaclear and a aqua c remora for filtration also the live rock is the most important part because it is your biological filtration. I must have 50lbs in mine im keeping a mixed reef from softies to a clam but lately i have an itch to get a refugium i may go with a hob refugium
 
see chris I have been exactly where you are I have a 24 nano and aqua c (which sucks ) and 50 lbs of rock ... I have a mixed reef now... for the most it does good so I got a bigger tank and huge refuguim... only to find out it can clean the water to much and make it hard to keep zoas... they like dirty water ..... that's why im second guessing... hell my nano has everything ... even a clam for over a year
 
I wouldn't worry to much about too clean water i do weekly water changes and have no problem with all my coral growing . My aqua c remora actually does some good what kind of pump are you using?
 
seriously? Zoas "Like" dirty water. I know lots of people say this, but I want to see the research paper on that. IMHO, that statement probably means they can tolerate dirtier water or that they like a little fish poop to eat. I really don't see why you have to pick one or the other. Mother nature doesn't.
 
Herbie said:
seriously? Zoas "Like" dirty water. I know lots of people say this, but I want to see the research paper on that. IMHO, that statement probably means they can tolerate dirtier water or that they like a little fish poop to eat. I really don't see why you have to pick one or the other. Mother nature doesn't.
Click to expand...
Only thing ive seen is they grow faster in dirtier water . But if u feed they will grow good. Just like nems in dirty tank they get huge in a cleaner system they live but dont grow as fast or big unless u feed them a chunk of food every now and then
 
You can have a mixed reef without having to do extra. I have a mixed reef, and my success comes from having enough filtration(live rock), good circulation, and good lighting. Just do your routine water changes and you'll be alright. My sump/refugium has all my equipment, more live rock, and micro algae. Do the mixed reef is totally doable. Good luck with everything. :)
 
Aquaman said:
hey guys ... so heres the deal

gen 1 radeon
R.O ss1000 skimmer
brs gfo reactor
and bubble magus 3 stage doser
my tank is a 60 gal cube
and sump is huge
++ THIS IS A FOR SALE THREAD>> all is for sale please low ball me
Click to expand...
There i fixed it lol
 
I have VERY mixed reefs with great success. I also have stunning leathers that have brilliant green polyps & great form. I've got babies, if your interested.
 
I'd disagree if u put the right stuff in a hob filter it will work although i can also agree those bio wheels Will be nitrate factories
 
ddiomede said:
Just slowly set the tank up bro. I have a mixed reef and it's doing fine. The only softies I have are znps, but I also have a ton of acros. Both grow well. As long as you're doing your regular water changes, you should be able to keep both successfully.

Skip the mud for the fuge. All you really need is some rock in there and some chaeto. If you want to put sand in the fuge you can, but it's not all that necessary. Just take your time, set if up piece by piece. When you rush things is when you run into problems.

FWIW, here's my advice: get the tank, light, sump and fuge, and rock work set up. You can hook your reactor up, just don't put any GFO in it for the time being. Just plumb it into the system.

Fill the tank (regular tap water) prior to putting the rock and sand in, after you've done your plumbing to leak test it for a couple days. Drain the tank, wipe it down, then add your rock work and sand. Now fill it with salt water and let it run.

The doser, you will not need right away, but get it hooked up where you intend on keeping it. This way, you don't have to mess around with it when the tank is up and running.

Once you have the tank up and running, after it has cycled (use Dr. Tims one and only), and after you've added your corals, start testing weekly to see what you're parameters are at. Then, and only then, should you consider even starting to dose. This is important!!! Don't blindly dose anything without knowing how much your corals are uptaking. Once you have the uptake determined, then you can slowly start using your doser. Start slow at first. Then test. If you're still not dosing enough, up the dosage, slowly. Test again. Continue doing this until you're parameters are stable with the dosing.

Once you start getting phosphate readings, then it's time to slowly add some GFO into your reactor. Add this slow as well. Whatever they're telling you to add, divide it by 4. Same things applies, test, then add, test, then add.

Don't get discouraged bro. I've personally had aquariums for almost 30 years now. I only started keeping a reef tank recently, like November of last year. I'm still learning, and having all the experienced people on here has helped me a lot.

Google everything, don't go into an lfs and take their word on everything. I could pee in my tank and it thrives, while you try it and you nuke the tank. My point is that everyone does something different and gets different results, while others do the same thing and have some success, while others fail.

Best thing is to buy a couple books, The Nano Reef is a good one, so is Aquarium Corals by Bormann. Read up and learn. Use google as your ally. You have the world at your fingertips. I always google everything prior to making a decision, or to troubleshoot what problem I'm having. Undoubtedly there will be someone out there who has experienced, and solved the same problem. It just takes some searching is all.

Good luck bro, and don't throw the towel in. Pick a method and go with it. You're gonna hear 50 different versions of what people think is right. Pick the one that most people have success with.
Click to expand...

+1 on most. The only thing I'd do different is I wouldn't put any live rock in the sump. It feels like a detritus trap. If you really want some surface area for bacteria, you can use bio pellets or there are some other choices.
 
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