Reef tank setup: It's been almost seven years

[daddie05]

I will finally start reefing again, but it will be a setup at my buddy's house. I want to set up in a corner that's 39" X 30" depth.

Things I'll need:

Reef tank/sump/stand
skimmer
return pump
power heads
sump socks
mag float
live rock
sand
T5 lighting or LEDs
Heater
Chiller or fan like my old setup with a probe
test kits
nori/clip
frozen foods
calcium, magnesium, and KH
reef crystals
RODI system (maybe)

Tomato clowns or percula clowns?
CUC
Yellow tang (100g reef tank?)
shrimp
other beginner fish recommendations?

How often are t5 bulbs changed? Every 12 months?

Jesse

 

[Smite]

BRS did a video on pushing t5s further without too much of a drop off. I believe it was around 18 months before major shifts.

Something that's changed in 7 years is the price of a yellow tang, not sure if you've looked around but they have insane price tags now.

 

[mrdanielface]

Man I've been setting up tanks at all my buddy's houses too

 

[joseserrano]

Congrats. I wouldn’t do a tomato clown. Aggressive and mean

 

[daddie05]

It's been so It's been I have heard they're mean and they grow to be 5". I don't remember if I had peppermint shrimp as part of my cleanup crew. I know I had a sand sifting star and a gobie that didnt jump too much. It's been so long I forgot what type of tangs I had besides the yellow tang. I did notice that the price went up. Just like everything else in CALI. He wants to pay me for my time. idk

Since he doesn't have a budget, I want to get him some nice t5 lighting so his frags can grow faster. For the coral food, do we need to use a baster to feed them or can you just touch the supplements inside the water?
I wanted to get this one bc my reef tank enjoyed it.

 

[joseserrano]

It's been so It's been I have heard they're mean and they grow to be 5". I don't remember if I had peppermint shrimp as part of my cleanup crew. I know I had a sand sifting star and a gobie that didnt jump too much. It's been so long I forgot what type of tangs I had besides the yellow tang. I did notice that the price went up. Just like everything else in CALI. He wants to pay me for my time. idk

Since he doesn't have a budget, I want to get him some nice t5 lighting so his frags can grow faster. For the coral food, do we need to use a baster to feed them or can you just touch the supplements inside the water?
I wanted to get this one bc my reef tank enjoyed it.

No need to feed corals. Aquatic plants, make food with light. Check out bulk reef supply on YouTube. Lots of info there.

 

[OldReefGuy]

Sun Coral?

 

[Smite]

I agree with Jose. For what sounds like a newer reefer I'd keep it as simple as possible. Feed the fish and that'll naturally supplement the coral, with the exception of NPS like sun corals, dendros ect.

Yellow tangs are beautiful and they do have captive bred ones now which is awesome. Look up Biota, lots of CB stuff. They can actually be cheaper than what I see a lot of wild yellows going for now. I feel like my last yellow tang cost me 40-50 bucks at Tongs. Once they got up in the $200 range, no way I just can't do it. A LFS has one priced at $600 currently. To me might as well get a Gem or Black tang or a whole group of nice tangs at that price point.
It's hard to beat bristletooth type tangs as far as one that will put in the work. I really like Tomini but the white tails are gorgeous. They would do good in a 4' tank for a long time if bought small.

CUC I'd be focusing more on an assortment of snails. Shrimp are nice for picking up scraps but if you or your friend do plan to get corals that require spot feeding I'd just avoid them. You'll be beating them back as they rob your coral.


Pending how large of a tank he ends up getting I have a clean t5 fixture listed here for a good deal. 100% working and clean oldschool powermodule. I'd only recommend it for a 4-5' tank with deep dimensions as it's a par monster.

 

[drexel]

Feed the fish and they'll feed the coral. I would do a small Tomini and maybe a scopus in that size tank. The only thing that has really changed is the equipment, which has gotten a little better, but the fundamentals are all the same. You can't go wrong with T5's, but if you want the LED equivalent, Quanta Pro bars will get you as close as possible. Also, just buy dry sand (size is your choice, but special grade is an overall good size) as the "live" sand sold in bags doesn't really add too much diversity and is a waste of money. Use real ocean rock for some of the rock and seed dry rock for months before you use it. Dead dry rock is the biggest setback in this hobby today. People don't know how to use it and they run into all kinds of problems. Don't get me started on Marco rock, that has to be the ugliest rock out there and looks so unnatural, but I get why people like it, kinda. I think trace elements have evolved a little more these days, but like anything, you need to test for what you dose, otherwise, you're just shooting in the dark.

 

[StanD]

IMHO maroon clowns are the most aggressive. I have bonded pairs of tomato, orange skunk, and onyx clowns and each are model citizens. They will protect their area when breeding however.

Happy to help out with some frags once your setup is cycled

Being in corner you might have some challenges finding a setup - probably 36" max width and one side will not be visible. You can always look for a corner bowfront setup or a cube setup to maximize space.

Good luck and welcome back!