Reef Ready

[solo]

HI how many of you has reef ready tank? And do you like it. Also can I buy all equipment one time for reef setup and just start with fwlr. I want all popular equipment, I had once thought off using canister filter for reef setup but here nitrate issue, anyone used them for a reef? Comments suggestions advice will be appreciated thank you in advance.

[Nemo6292]

I am no expert... But... I've been down the road for the last year trying to go the "Cheaper" route. I bought a 30g. tank with a HOB AquaClear 70 filter, live rocks, live sand, and fish. Long story short, don't do it. And I would NEVER want to discourage you from going with the canister filter for a small tank. You can do that but your tank will never thrive. Been there done it, BUT!!!

2 nights ago I bought a New 65g. Deep Blue Pro, Reef ready tank and before that I ordered a Trigger Systems 30s sump. The setup cost me right at 400.00. That's tank and sump. I still probably like about 200.00 to get the hardware and plumbing... So 600.00 for a new sump and tank... If you go used then you can cut that price in half, 300.00... The initial setup is expensive for a Reef Ready Setup. But I really encourage you to consider #1, get the biggest tank you can afford/fit. #2 Save some money and go with a tank-sump-skimmer setup. You will save hundreds in the long run. I promise. I've wasted 500.00+ on my 30g instead of doing things the right way. But hey! Like I always say, it's up to you!

[Ericwm]

I also went the "cheap" route and took my friends 29 gallon with a hob filter for free. I though it would be the cheapest way to go. Now 6 months later I'm planning my upgrade to a 75 gallon, fortunately all I will have wasted money on is the lighting and a replacement for the old hob filter that didn't work. If I can sell those it won't be much loss and I'm gonna convert my 29 gallon into my sump on my new setup. I guess long story short, i didn't waste much money this way and did learn a ton but if I had bought the tank and everything I would be out more than I will be.

[solo]

Thanks guys for advice and tip on your experience. I'm planning on skimmer gfo reactor sump/refugium heater in sump or dt thermometer digital PVC plumbing led lights. I know hobby is expensive but I feel if you setup once but right your wallet should be fine. Cause don't need to keep changing equipment stuff that isn't working or wrong for hobby. I bin freshwater hobby 15 years and what I learned is time and patience also good husbandry. So that's why I ask who likes reef ready tanks, and how many of you own reef ready tank. Mine I'm planning 6 feet 150 gallon I want to house tangs also reef safe fish thank you all for feed back.

[oyf709]

You can get each part of your setup seperately, but i would drop the canister filter, it is like a nitrate factory and going to waste you lots time for cleaning it. I would go with a full sump with refrugium system.

[tsharkey]

HI, I have a 210 gallon aquarium that i bought reef ready. For my filtration I use multiple things such as two protein skimmers, a 55 gallon sump with live rock and bio balls in it for top of the line biological filtration, two 1,300 gph. pumps that have a small sponge filter attached to them, a vortex XL diatom filter, a marineland c-360 and c-530. With the canister filters what causes the nitrate spikes is the biological filter media such as bio balls and bio rings. I remove these and put the bio balls in the sump to create a circular motion in them so they collect as much bacteria as possible. I use the canisters strictly for mechanical and chemical filtration only. This resulted in fully balanced parameters. Some people think it is dumb to use a canister filter but it works for me and it works great for me. I have several great corals that look fantastic so I have no reason to believe that canisters are an issue. I do also use a phosphate reactor just in case of a spike. Filtration is such a complicated and difficult decision but we all make it through. I highly recommend canisters for mechanical and chemical use but not biological. I also recommend to diatom for crystal clear water and to remove floating bacteria and help with depleting ich.