Starting a small reef tank

[1fstlightning]

I am in the process of breaking down my 72 gallon bowfront because I let it go too far and it is past the point of no return. I have a 25 gallon long that I want to setup as a small reef tank for now to see if I still want to rebuild my 72 gallon. Problem is I have never started fresh and don't know exactly how to cycle a new tank. Any input on tips and what kind of filter, skimmer etc to get to set up would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[cbianco]

I am in the process of breaking down my 72 gallon bowfront because I let it go too far and it is past the point of no return. I have a 25 gallon long that I want to setup as a small reef tank for now to see if I still want to rebuild my 72 gallon. Problem is I have never started fresh and don't know exactly how to cycle a new tank. Any input on tips and what kind of filter, skimmer etc to get to set up would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Need to get a hold of an ammonia/nitrite test kit to start. Get your 25g setup with water, sand, rock, flow, and filtration/skimmer. Get your 25g down to 0ppm ammonia/~10ppm nitrite. Then move your inhabitants going. Cycling will happen on it's own but it takes time. EDIT: Nitrites should be at 0ppm too. I was thinking nitrates, which are not harmful in lower concentrations.

How bad is your old tank? You can reuse your old sand and rock however I would caution you not to without "cleaning" it first, especially if you don't want to bring over algae from the other tank.

Christopher

[THE_BEAST]

I have some extra test kits you can HAVE if you come pick them up. I'm off I-10 and Vance Jackson

[1fstlightning]

Need to get a hold of an ammonia/nitrite test kit to start. Get your 25g setup with water, sand, rock, flow, and filtration/skimmer. Get your 25g down to 0ppm ammonia/~10ppm nitrite. Then move your inhabitants going. Cycling will happen on it's own but it takes time.

How bad is your old tank? You can reuse your old sand and rock however I would caution you not to without "cleaning" it first, especially if you don't want to bring over algae from the other tank.

Christopher

I pulled the rock out already but sand is still submerged in water. How would I go about cleaning it?

[1fstlightning]

Also what would be a good filter to use?

[cbianco]

I pulled the rock out already but sand is still submerged in water. How would I go about cleaning it?

Search here on MAAST "cooking live rock" and read, read, read. Just a warning, it's not a short process.


Also what would be a good filter to use?

Filter? Do you mean skimmer? If you have a sump, any skimmer would work. If you don't have a sump, you'll most likely need a hang-on skimmer. Honestly, price will be your limiting factor here.

I would venture out on Google and search "setting up a reef tank." There are MANY different ideas and ways of doing things, and just as many opinions on how to do it.

Christopher

[jrsatx20]

ive always put the sand in a rubbermaid and ran tap water through it until the water comes out clean. then lay it out for sun to dry it out

[1fstlightning]

I pulled the rock out and have been drying it out for about an hour already because it was full of aptesia and algae. Figured to just start it over again was the best way to get completely rid of it all

[cbianco]

I pulled the rock out and have been drying it out for about an hour already because it was full of aptesia and algae. Figured to just start it over again was the best way to get completely rid of it all

If that's the case, stick it out in the sun for a few days. If that doesn't do the trick, nothing will.

Christopher

[1fstlightning]

That's what I was thinking myself.

[jcnkt_ellis]

Skimmer and sump is not necessary on a small tank if you have a light bio-load and you do weekly water changes. I'm not running either on my 20 long, however, I have no fish in the tank currently.

You don't need a hang on back filter either if your up on your water changes.

My current setup consists of 2 mp10s for flow, a heater, and a radion pro for light. It's been running for close to a year now with no issues and the sps I have is growing like crazy.

[Dean]

If you have space for a small sump that would be preferable. Especially if you plan to also keep fish. That would give you somewhere to run your mechanical, chemical, and additional biological filtration. It will also allow you a place other than your display tank to keep your heater. A skimmer would also be a must if you plan to keep fish and or feed your corals.

[Big_Pun]

that rock is full of junk, I've let it dry a few days and still got algae later. the best method and it's not easy is muriatic acid bath. the rock I reused from my 105 into my nano was done this way. no issues what so ever, actually been a slow to get coralline on it.

[cbianco]

If you have space for a small sump that would be preferable. Especially if you plan to also keep fish. That would give you somewhere to run your mechanical, chemical, and additional biological filtration. It will also allow you a place other than your display tank to keep your heater. A skimmer would also be a must if you plan to keep fish and or feed your corals.

I'd have to agree. As a matter of fact, I'd take it a step further, a skimmer is a must! While you can keep a tank without one, a good skimmer is well worth the $$$ IMO.


that rock is full of junk, I've let it dry a few days and still got algae later. the best method and it's not easy is muriatic acid bath. the rock I reused from my 105 into my nano was done this way. no issues what so ever, actually been a slow to get coralline on it.

Muriatic acid, that's a new one to me. I remember when "cooking" your rock was all the rage. Gonna have to look that one up. Got any good links for me Chris?

Christopher

[Big_Pun]

pretty easy just a lil dangerous basically 10-1 ratio water-acid for about 15-20 min, less if Marco rock. it will bubble over so use a deep tank like brute, safety goggles, chemical gloves. afterwards you can neutralize with baking soda, I just pulled them out and rinsed with water hose, rinse very well lots of junk will come out. let dry a few days and then I rinsed I rodi water and used them

[cbianco]

pretty easy just a lil dangerous basically 10-1 ratio water-acid for about 15-20 min, less if Marco rock. it will bubble over so use a deep tank like brute, safety goggles, chemical gloves. afterwards you can neutralize with baking soda, I just pulled them out and rinsed with water hose, rinse very well lots of junk will come out. let dry a few days and then I rinsed I rodi water and used them

Well that will certainly kill EVERYTHING on the rocks, lol. I assume the rocks are bone white after.

How much does the acid eat away at the rocks? Any curing/leaching time needed?

Christopher

[Big_Pun]

eats top layer off just don't leave it too long. nope I just let it dry a few days then soaked an hour in water then used them

[1fstlightning]

eats top layer off just don't leave it too long. nope I just let it dry a few days then soaked an hour in water then used them

I was just gonna leave it out for a week or two and then take it to car wash and use the pressure washer to clean it. Would that work too?

[Big_Pun]

it will get surface crud off, plus residual chemicals would scare me. acid is a deep clean, you know for sure all organic matter is dissolved. but ya it's not for everyone

[1fstlightning]

With just one day of rock sitting in sun, rock looks white where alot of the green algae was at. Purple from the coraline algae was still present, but wasn't expecting the rock to look the way it did today when I got home from work

[cbianco]

I was just gonna leave it out for a week or two and then take it to car wash and use the pressure washer to clean it. Would that work too?

I think it would be very important to clean your rock after drying it out however as Chris stated earlier your method concerns me. Car washes use different types of soaps, degreasers, and waxes (LOL). These chemicals all come through the same hose. Even if you let the water run for a bit, I highly double that you would have anything close to "clean" water coming out of the nozzle.

I would be much more comfortable having you use your home hose/sink to clean the rocks. A good plastic scrub-brush could aid in loosening anything on the surface of the rock. A simple rinse, scrub, and rinse would most likely do the trick for you.

If you were so inclined you could give the rock a vinegar bath (or acid bath as Chris has stated).

Either way, I would definitely stay away from the pressure wash hose at the cash wash.

Christopher