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09/18/2018, 01:56 PM | #1 |
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Converting 400g freshwater to Reef
I already know this is going to take a lot of research and money so lets get right down to it!
Is a 400g marine tank a horrible idea for a first timer? I was going to do a FOWLR tank. But corals look awesome, even hardy corals really make the tank look great. I think It may be worth the trade off to get hardy corals in place of non-reef safe fish. Thoughts or opinions on the following topics? -Substrate: I Would love sand but is bare bottom easier for maintenance? Siphoning an 8' x 3' tank would be very time consuming. Are there Any critters that can help keep the sand clean but not harm stronger corals? Would you guys recommend a shallow or deep bed of substrate? Tank has a 10x filtration cycle rate so flow is very high and always tossed around sand in the FW tank. should i lower flow? -My fresh water drip system is a concern of mine. I currently have RO/DI 50 gallon per day unit, constantly dripping into my tank and another line that allows water to drain out of the tank. Eliminates water changes for freshwater. but Im assuming this won't work for salt water because the RO/DI water will change salinity and other water parameters in the tank? Do most reef keepers run a RO/DI filter into a container for future water changes? -Algae: I'm worried about coralline algae on the acrylic. I don't want to scrape and scratch the viewing panel. how likely is an Urchin to scratch the acrylic? and would i need an army of them for a 400g? -A good fish and coral combo that won't completely break the bank: recommend me your favorite beginger coral? Will tangs and angels of different sizes get along with each other and the corals? It's a big tank so i want a couple of larger fish that will get along with the smaller fish. -Lighting: can I get away with the less expensive salt water lighting with stronger corals? or buy the expensive fixture and call it a day. Are LEDs an option? I have all plumbing, sumps, protein skimmers, and pumps to make the swap to salt water. Any other recommendations or comments are appreciated!! Thanks all! |
09/21/2018, 11:01 AM | #2 | |
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09/24/2018, 07:19 PM | #3 |
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To answer your first question the bigger the water volume the more stability you have. The downside to this is overall cost and space. Theres also the logistics of dealing with a big tank which can be intimidating to some. However if you already have had this tank as a fw you already know and understand some of that. Rover88 gave you some really good advice to a few of your other questuons.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1031074 That link is a really good place to help you get started, it covers a lot of questions you will inevitably have. There is a lot of knowledge packed into that and can help put you ahead of the game.
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Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it into a fruit salad. Philosophy is wondering if that means ketchup is a smoothie. Current tank info: 45g SCA Cube |
09/24/2018, 09:16 PM | #4 |
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on that tank go with radion xr30s and a t5 combo for the spread best light money can buy and you'll never need to upgrade to something better, they can last forever honestly. cheap leds always have the leds go out and some are fire hazards so just take the punch to the wallet once and be done. also you could use coral as a substrate which is becoming very common and looks really cool
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09/25/2018, 11:16 AM | #5 |
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The biggest hits to your budget are going to be lights, pumps, and skimmer. Lighting doesn't have to be savage. A good skimmer will be expensive for a 400g - especially if you go fish-heavy.
Also, don't forget an ATO. Your drip system is similar but probably not a replacement. |
09/25/2018, 11:17 AM | #6 |
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Oh, and go bare-bottom. So much nicer than sand, IMHO. After a while I've made all my tanks bare.
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09/25/2018, 11:39 AM | #7 | |
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And while we are at it, coral as substrate has been used for ages, so it is nothing new. I do agree that it looks cool though. |
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09/25/2018, 04:12 PM | #8 | |
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Current tank: 40B work in progress w/20L sump |
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10/03/2018, 07:55 PM | #9 |
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any updates
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