It is not really all that hard. You do need to keep your water parameters at a much higher standard then with
FO tanks. You will need a lot of
LR. 1.5-2 lbs/
gal. should be good. This will add in keeping water parameters high and provide a reef base for corals. You will also need to upgrade your lighting. If you plan to keep soft corals like mushrooms, polyps, starts, xenia, leathers you may be able to get by with
CF. I have a 72
gal. tank with 260 watts
CF lighting and I keep a wide variety of soft corals and LSP corals. I do not keep a top on my tank so I get better light penetration with the
CF. If you plan to keep
SPS and high light anenomes, you will need to look at
MH lighting. To get started, add the
LR and get your lighting in order. Make sure your tank is stable and start adding some of the hardier corals. Mushrooms and polyps are great for beginners. Just build up slowly from there. Be careful, it is very addicting. I never had an interest in reef keeping until I bought a hairy mushroom colony to see if I could keep it alive. today I still have that colonoy and many, many new additions. I would pick up a copy of "Aquarium Corals" by Eric Bornemean. It is a bit scientific but packed with great info on reef keeping. good luck and have fun...Lando
