New reef tank questions.

[EQCM2B]

#ed_op#P#ed_cl#Hello everyone#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#I want to start a reef tank with fish, inverts and eventually, maybe corals. I've wanted to do this for as long as I can remember but being in the military I thought it wouldnot be cost effective at the time, but now that I'm about to retire and settle down in one place I thought it would be a good time to start. #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#My question is, can you use regular play sand from a hardware store and add some live sand to it or does it have to be a special kind of sand. I have been reading here about half of the day and each time a question about sand comes up a particular brand name is mentioned. I also would like to know if I should use an under gravel filter with a tank likeI have mentioned. Any help or advice would be appreciated in regards to these or any other aspect of a reef tank since the only type of tank that I have been exposed to has been a freshwater 10 gallon setup#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Decisions made so far 45 gallon corner tank 22" x 22" x 13" x 13" x 13" X 24"tall#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# 2" to 3" sand base#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# Rock ( live and not live)#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Skimmer ( eventually ) suggestions? Right now is basic hang on type with filters.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# Basic lighting for now until I read up more on requirements for critters.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Thanks in advance for any input and thanks for all the information already posted on this site, I've already answered a lot of my questions by reading post of others before me.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl#

[shovelhead91701]

sounds like you have the sand idea nailed! that setup will work and save you money too. Also the LFS will usually donate you a cup or two of their rich bacteria laden sand from their system. Before you take the plunge on this I strongly recommend that you look into a sump for your tank. Also a good skimmer is a must! And BTW stay AWAY from the undergravel filter idea! Bad Bad Idea! just a huge nitrate factory!

Last but not least....Welcome to CR! This is an awesome bunch of guys & gals and everyone will help you every step of the way!

[graphixx]

welcome aboard......... you going about this the right way you want to make sure you have your game plan down before you go head first into this. I cannot stress enough and I think the other members here will agree. you have to take your time and do this correctly. alot of people just think this will be like setting up a goldfish bowl and they end up killing off alot of stuff and blowing a lot of unnecessary money.
Shovelhead was right on the undergravel filter they are nothing but good unless you ;run them reverse and I will not even go there. but a 2 to 3 inch sand bed is good and get some good live rock and start your cycle. I would recommend a good skimmer like a prizm and if you have room under the tank do a sump/fuge that is a good idea www.melvesreef.com has some good stuff on sumps. but just take your time and do not hesitate to ask questions.

Good luck :D

[Guido]

Also, I don't think anyone touched on this, but, depending on what type of corals your going to have in the tank, your going to need a very intense lighting. For a 45 gallon, i would think that maybe 2x175w MH lights would work (you can either get MH's with VHO/T5/PC, I'm personally going with 2x250MH 2x110VHO lighting). Some corals require much more lighting then others and need it to survive. You might want to find out what type of corals your going to have in your tank and ask a few people on here what they think you should use. One more thing. For a reef aquarium, you want about 8 watts per gallon of tank. So if you have a 45g tank, you would want about 360wattage of lighting (about). Thats give or take a few watts on watts per gallon. But, if you had 2x175w MH with maybe 2x54T5/pc/vho/ what ever you may choose, you should be perfectly fine on most if not all corals. I'm sure if you have any more questions, someone else will touch on this topic much more in detail on why you need this type of lighting if your going with certain corals. GL welcome aboard.