i dont know anything about pumps and plumbing and i dont trust my lfs can someone please try and explain what i need to buy to start a reef tank in terms of pumps pvc's etc.? thank you
this could easily be a 20 page response, so we are going to start simple and work up as needed.
pumps are used for two main things.
1 - move water from a sump/fuge to your display
2 - generate current within the tank
number 1 is pretty simple, you will have a large pump plumbed in to return water up to your tank, but we will need more info on your tank and overall design before we can get into details as to what type of pump you will need.
number 2 is also easy, and is covered in many of the podcast episodes. but basically you look at powerheads, or closed loop systems to generate your internal water flow.
how much is needed and what you setup depends on how your tank is going to be setup and stocked.
and when it comes to PVC, there is a plumbing video podcast that will give you the basics, and the rest in up to your imagination..
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sorry about the lack of info. this is my first reef and i am so excited i forget stuff. which is better between closed loop and powerheads or should i say what is the difference. i have a 125 gal with a 20 gal sump and i am planning a fuge. i plan to keep 2 mandarins (hope thats good) some kind of tang 2 g. watanabis and maybe one or two more fish depends on ultimate water volume. i am planning to have a 55 gal fuge. suggestions?
Closed loops are the ones with your main pump aren't they? Powerheads are the important "extras" that you use to gennerate currents. They are both very important, neigher really more important than the other. The Powerheads give the current some veriety, just like the reef.
I don't recommend keeping 2 mandarins in only a 125. Unless of course they are male and female. Like Royal Grammas and such, they are very aggressive towards theire own species. Mandarins defend their teritory religiously.
By the way. What are Watanabis?
Also with the Mandarins they need a old very developed sandbed. If in fact you decide to go with one make sure the tank has been up and running for awhile and that the there are sand dwellers such as copepods, amphipods, and mysis shrimp. If in fact the sandbed isnt developed it would ultimately lead to the death of a mandarin.
if they are so small why do they need so much room? watanabis are deep water angel fish. they are very beautiful. you should see if u can find a picture.
Closed loops are the ones with your main pump aren't they? Powerheads are the important "extras" that you use to generate currents. They are both very important, neigher really more important than the other. The Powerheads give the current some variety, just like the reef.
Just to clarify here, they are two different thing, but perform the same goal, generating water current in the tank. they are not connected to a main sump return line as that would not be a "closed" system. closed loops work with a large pump drawing water out of the tank and then shooting it back into the tank, these systems are usually coupled with a OM, SQWD, or some similar device to randomize the water movement.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Braves11
I don't recommend keeping 2 mandarins in only a 125. Unless of course they are male and female. Like Royal Grammas and such, they are very aggressive towards their own species. Mandarins defend their territory religiously.
this i do agree with, and not only do you want a male and female, but you should try and get them from the store from a tank were they were in together. you can get them separately but there can be higher risk of conflict.
many other great points were mentioned about mandarins like having established mature tanks, lots of LR, etc.. so i wont go into that
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i dont know anything about pumps and plumbing and i dont trust my lfs can someone please try and explain what i need to buy to start a reef tank in terms of pumps pvc's etc.? thank you
There's a ton of information in my tank thread. I don't know if you've been there but here's the link - Amphibious' 135 gal Reef Answers to many of your questions will be found there and probably raise others.
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