75 gallon Soft Coral Tank

[Triggerfish31]

I have a 75 gallon tank that was a SWFO tank and would like to convert it to a Soft Coral Reef tank. I have cleaned off much of the algae off the glass as well as my protein skimmer. I did have two Eheim canister filters for the tank but plan on using a sump for the reef tank. I have a T5 HO light system and eventually plan to upgrade the protein skimmer. I am going to add live rock sometime next month. I have several questions.

 

1. Would it be best to toss out the old water (RO/DI) used for my SWF tank or do a 50% water change?

 

2. What size sump should I used? and can it be made into a refrigum?

 

3. My light system came with 2 10K day bulbs and 2 actinic bulbs. My body does not react well to Actinic lights (I get a major headache) so what combination of light could I use on my reef tank?

 

 

Aaron

[steveoutlaw]

See my answers below.

 

I have a 75 gallon tank that was a SWFO tank and would like to convert it to a Soft Coral Reef tank. I have cleaned off much of the algae off the glass as well as my protein skimmer. I did have two Eheim canister filters for the tank but plan on using a sump for the reef tank. I have a T5 HO light system and eventually plan to upgrade the protein skimmer. I am going to add live rock sometime next month. I have several questions.

 

1. Would it be best to toss out the old water (RO/DI) used for my SWF tank or do a 50% water change?

 

What kind of skimmer do you currently have? I would do 5 gallon water changes every week to start getting the tank ready.

 

2. What size sump should I used? and can it be made into a refrigum?

 

Size is totally up to you. Have you considered using a hang on the tank refugium? I have one of these on my 65g and it works great.

 

3. My light system came with 2 10K day bulbs and 2 actinic bulbs. My body does not react well to Actinic lights (I get a major headache) so what combination of light could I use on my reef tank?

 

My advice is to take a trip out to BRK and look at the different T5 lights. You could go with all Aquablue Plus lights......they have some blue in them, but are not as harsh on the eyes as the pure actinics. There is also an Actinic Plus bulb.

 

Aaron

[Triggerfish31]

Here is my response:

 

1.At the moment I have been having bad luck with skimmers. Right now I am using a counter-current skimmer. I tried the Seaclone skimmer for the fish tank and the bubbles prevent some water to flow to the skimmer. I also tried the new Current skimmer but it dumps out a boatload of small air bubbles. It came with a bubble reducer but that caused the skimmer to overflow not to mention there is too much noise coming from the air tube.

 

2.Last night I went to a fish store and they had a similar stand to what I am using and the only size sum that could fit would be a 10 gallon tank, way too small. I have not looked into a hang on refrigum but since I have a long weekend I might check one out. I do enjoy going to That Pet Place in Lancaster PA.

 

3.I might go out there this weekend and check out the lights as well at BRK this weekend.

 

Question: Which is better, hydrometer with the bar or a refractometer?

How long should I continue the water changes on my tank?

 

Thanks for the help.

 

Aaron

[toastiireefs]

refractometer