New 30 gallon reef build!

[bduni50]

Ok I did some trading! I picked up a 36" 30 gallon tank with a 20 gallon sump. Came with a stand and hood, 2 core life 10k light fixture, mag 7 return pump. I also put a tunze 6025 in it for more flow. When I get it plumbed and sand and water he is giving me 40 pounds of established lr. I plan on up grading the lights and getting a skimmer down the road. So far I have no money invested!!!!

 

[bduni50]

Question is do I have enough flow? I also have a mairnland mj1200 powerhead. Also will 20 pounds of sand do the trick? O this is my first SW tank.

 

[bduni50]

Diy over follow,

 

[Sniperhank]

Question is do I have enough flow? I also have a mairnland mj1200 powerhead. Also will 20 pounds of sand do the trick? O this is my first SW tank.

That depends on what you want to do with the tank. One powerhead isn't going to be enough for a tank for coral, but might be ok for a FOWLR setup.
In terms of sand and rock, you want to aim for 1 lbs per gallon with both sand and rock.

 

[bduni50]

Ok I can add another power head. What should I get? I can get more sand. Just don't want a deep sand bed.

 

[Sniperhank]

It doesn't go as far as you think. I have 60 lbs of sand in my 55 gallon reef and sometimes wish it was thicker.

The brand of powerheads is up to you, really. I used korallia's before I picked up my Vortechs. The Vortechs are high priced, but Korallia are good quality for the money.

 

[bduni50]

Ok I will get 30 pounds of sand. Mix of blk and white sand.

 

[Dav3]

Ok I will get 30 pounds of sand. Mix of blk and white sand.

If you want corals make sure it is non metallic reef safe black sand.

 

[bduni50]

Going to use carb sea black live sand

 

[BigRedsReefs10]

If you want corals make sure it is non metallic reef safe black sand.

All that black sand is metallic, doesn't harm any of the livestock but DO NOT use a mag cleaner on it, especially acrylic, it'll scratch it all up

 

[bduni50]

Hmmm, maybe I will just use regular sand or a mix. 20 pounds white 10 pounds black. So does the flow look good?

 

[bduni50]

Ok have another question. Was thinking about not doing a skimmer on this tank and use the extra space for the fuge. What are y'all's thoughts on this. I hear skimmers not that great on smaller systems like this.

 

[BigRedsReefs10]

You drilling the tank and setting up a sump? I if I was choosing between a fuge and a skimmer, it's skimmer hands down, every time. Just my $.02

 

[bduni50]

It's already drilled with a 20 gallon long sump. Any advice on a skimmer under 200

 

[Ravden]

Hydor slim skim nano is what I got for my 30 gal. I can't put sump in our apartment so it's going in the tank itself but they are $80 on Dr fostersmith

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[Ravden]

Only advice I got in the unit was to zip tie a filter sock over the internal tube so no chance of dinging the prop if anything makes it into the unit

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[BigRedsReefs10]

Bubble magus and reef octopus both have good skimmers in your price range.

 

[NanoNewb]

Dang what did you trade to get all that?!? Can't wait to see how it turns out!

 

[bduni50]

Things that go bang.

 

[NanoNewb]

Things that go bang.

Awesome!