How much $ to turn a FOWLR into a Reef...

Fishnewb1 · 07-06-2006, 09:41 PM

I have been really wanting to turn my 55 FOWLR into a reef but i want to make sure that i have everything covered for what i have been planning on doing...

I have been wanting to buy a $200 T5HO Nova from liveaquaria and i know i will need some corals such as the (newb) corals that dont need to much like xenia...

How much do you think this will cost... will i have to get a whole bunch of equiptment/supplements for this?

Is my tank that has been cycled for about 4 months be ready??

could i get some mushrooms with my light now to see how i like it??

how do you keep your tank with out the temp fluxuating??
mine stays between 72-78 but it is constantly moving up and down
is that ok for corals?

Reefneck · 07-07-2006, 06:40 AM

The question you ask requires more info.

Do you have a Protein Skimmer? If not, You have to have a good one.

Do you have a UV sterilizer? If so, You don't want to use it on a reef.

A $200 T5HO setup is only enough light for soft corals. SPS will need more.

As for Supplements, I use Oceans Blend Part 1 & 2 and Iodine. That's it. Nothing else.

I setup Reefs from the start with new tanks. No need to be FO first. You can do it after 4 months.

Getting mushrooms won't give you much of an idea about a reef.

Tempature swings of more than 2 degrees can be bad for Corals & even for fish. If 78 is your high temp set your heater to 77 and let it keep you between 77-78F.

Fishnewb1 · 07-07-2006, 09:28 AM

For a PS i have a Corallife Superskimmer that you recomended
no UV
the T5HO you said that i could have some lps(i dont really want sps to $$)
and can i do ALL SOFT corals??

i have that 10g fuge that is doing its job (before fuge Nitrates 20ppm now Nitrates 0ppm)Amazing...

will i need those supplements (for soft corals and mabey some lps) and how much $$ are they
all i use now is purple up

what about more equiptment like a "phos reactor" do i need that?

is it worth it??
I love reefs and think they are the coolest thing but is it worth the money in your opinion(how much better than FOWLR)

harif87 · 07-07-2006, 09:35 AM

Is it worth it?!! Of course!! What i would give to have such a beautiful thing in my house!!!

Reefneck · 07-07-2006, 11:53 AM

Worth it?? Absolutely IMO! Would I do it all over again?? Yes! I have 3 reef tanks running now and thinking of a 4th since I have an empty tank.

The skimmer you have will be fine for a reef.

That light should be fine for most softies and some LPS.

Lose the Purple up! It's crap! Adding the Oceans Blend Part 1 & 2 will promote Coraline growth all by itself. Then a weekly dose of Iodine for coarals and inverts.

I pay $30.00 for a gallon size of Part 1 & 2. Thats 2 gallons for $30.00. Lasts a long time. The iodine in a 16oz bottle costs me about $8 and last 3-4 months.

So get to the store, Get some OB Part 1 & 2 and some Iodine, Grab a nice frag of Xenia or a nice frogspawn frag, or some Green Star polyps or Ricordia or a Bubble Coral.

Lot's of choices and you won't be sorry if you devote the time and effort into taking proper care of them.

leveldrummer · 07-07-2006, 02:11 PM

you should be fine with t5's to keep most lps, some require lots of light, but they are more expensive and usually more rare. and if something needs a little more light, put it higher on your rock. your good to go with almost all softies too, but there are also some of those that have different needs. youll just have to reasearch what you want to get, and its specific needs, also consider the bio load of your fish, not sure how many you have right now, but you need less fish in a reef tank than in a fowlr, not saying you have too many, but consider it. also, i dont dose anything, find a good salt mix and it should contain the stuff you need to keep a good tank. when you get into harder corals is when you need the cal reactors and such, also the phos reactors do work, but with proper stocking and husbandry, its not nessesary.

Osiris · 07-07-2006, 02:24 PM

55g =$1,000.00

Fishnewb1 · 07-08-2006, 01:06 AM

Originally Posted by MalawianPro

55g =$1,000.00

what is that all about

Osiris · 07-08-2006, 07:36 AM

what it would cost to turn it into a beautiful reef, after cost of corals and all.

leveldrummer · 07-08-2006, 09:43 AM

Originally Posted by MalawianPro

what it would cost to turn it into a beautiful reef, after cost of corals and all.

i dont even want to know how much i spent, its probably way more than that. at least a grand in equipment alone, 2 tanks, skimmer, lights other random hardware. then you got the 50 lbs of rock at 5-8 bucks a pound. sand, (tahitian moon sand is expensive.) man, i better stop before i start crying.