New 2 reef tanks

[MOB1224]

I was wondering if I start a reef tank do I need a seprate frag tank? I also wanted to know if u guys could give me any suggestions on what equipment I should get. Should I get a sump or just a emporer bio wheel hang on filter. Should I go with mh or is that to strong, I have heard that it can be bad for some corals. I am thinking of getting a 30 gal or 40 gal tank. Please lmk what you think. Thanks :beer:

[Sisterlimonpot]

[welcome]
A frag tank is usually for people that want propagate corals. It's not necessary.

A sump is better than any canaster filter.
I would start here (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1031074)

[longdangler]

An absolute NO on the biowheel filter. You have two options as I see it, you can run sumpless with just a HOB protein skimmer- with that I would do weekly water changes of about 5-10%. The prefered method would be with a sump/protein skimmer/section with fuge with something like Chaeto in it.

As for lights, it all depends on what you want for corals. All corals have different light requirements. T5's would work awesome for a tank that size. You could use a MH but need to be careful. You could run a 150W just fine or a 250w if you space it above the tank a bit higher.

[squidy3]

For 30-40g you can use a 150 watt metal halide. any coral you get will be happy and the fixture shouldnt be too much $$. I have a 20" Sunpod 150 MH on my 45g and never had a problem. Good luck and welcome.

[MOB1224]

For 30-40g you can use a 150 watt metal halide. any coral you get will be happy and the fixture shouldnt be too much $$. I have a 20" Sunpod 150 MH on my 45g and never had a problem. Good luck and welcome.

An absolute NO on the biowheel filter. You have two options as I see it, you can run sumpless with just a HOB protein skimmer- with that I would do weekly water changes of about 5-10%. The prefered method would be with a sump/protein skimmer/section with fuge with something like Chaeto in it.

As for lights, it all depends on what you want for corals. All corals have different light requirements. T5's would work awesome for a tank that size. You could use a MH but need to be careful. You could run a 150W just fine or a 250w if you space it above the tank a bit higher.

<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>
A frag tank is usually for people that want propagate corals. It's not necessary.

A sump is better than any canaster filter.
I would start here (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1031074)

Thanks everyone for the advice. This will be my first reef tank so any advice is welcome.

[Remn]

Hey Mob, I've got a all-in-one 28g nano tanks that had to be tweaked and modded to run real well. If I could do it all over, I'd definitely do it right by going with a sump. There's so many advantages of having a sump and a lot of ways to customizing your setup. And you can't go wrong with metal halides, you'll just love the shimmer effect and your corals with love them too.

As for a seperate frag tank, you can just buy a frag rack and stick it on the side of your display tank or just build one out of eggcrates aka lighting diffuser at home depot.

[MOB1224]

Hey Mob, I've got a all-in-one 28g nano tanks that had to be tweaked and modded to run real well. If I could do it all over, I'd definitely do it right by going with a sump. There's so many advantages of having a sump and a lot of ways to customizing your setup. And you can't go wrong with metal halides, you'll just love the shimmer effect and your corals with love them too.

As for a seperate frag tank, you can just buy a frag rack and stick it on the side of your display tank or just build one out of eggcrates aka lighting diffuser at home depot.

I was thinking about doing one of those all in one tanks as well thanks for the info. The more research I do the more I like the sump idea.

[Chiefsurfer]

Hey MOB, welcome. The AIO tanks are great. They do give you a good all in one package, that will look real nice, and give you most of what you would need from the get-go. Although I heard almost all need a light mod.

As to a few of your questions. I DEFINITELY agree, you want a sump and fuge. It is a GREAT place to hide all your equipment and give a good place for some type of macro-algae to help stabilize your tank.

I have been hearing a LOT of people like the 40 breeder tanks, just because of nice dimensions. I would look for tanks(if you're trying to save a buck) on CL and your local reef club. Be wary of CL, as some tanks could easily have been medicated with copper based medicines, and as many say, that tank is now not suitable for inverts and corals.

If you've got the money, go get a custom builder to do a nice tank for you. The things some guys can do with their tanks are amazing. And if you plan on going open-top, might wanna check out rimless, as they are REAL nice looking.