[loud_jax]

Hello all,

Been thinking of changing my 125 gallon cichlid into a reef tank. Was wondering about filters and pumps. Currently have 2 emporrer 400's. I have seen a couple of reef aquariums that have couple of flow nozzles in the tank, is this crucial or are the ones I have already going to work? Also I've heard about you need protien skimmers and a couple other components to get started. Any info would be great or even some links to get up to speed to crossover.

Thanks!

[Jeremy0322]

The best piece of advice someone can give you is to go to amazon and buy a few books. Just read. It will give you a solid base to build upon. The majority of people will tell you that. Also just sit on this website for a while and read random posts, alot of them. About the filtration, alot of people use a Live Rock/Live Sand and Protein Skimmer combination and thats about it. You just need to make sure that you give the tank proper time to go through the initial cycles but someone can explain all of that to you. I kinda understand the process but not good enough to explain it.

[robe25m]

I use a wet/dry overflow for my 120g, A reef needs a great protein skimmer, killer powerfull lights and water movement start with that...

Its actually really easy to get a tank going with the proper hardware, its the livestock that demands research if you ask me..

[dhboyd1]

Hello LJ welcome aboard. I am like you as I spent 30+ years in freshwater doing Cichlids, gouramies, and oversized pleco's. My pelco's were all over 10" and my angle in that tank was 7 years old when she died. Thought I knew a bunch but salt water is a different world. Jeremy is dead-on about getting books. Read all you can and use sites like this for more info. This site has a section on setting up a tank, so start there and read, read, read. Eventually you will decide it isn't as hard as it seems and you will be on your way. Like freshwater tanks, don't rush anything. Take your time and have a plan for where you want your tank to be in 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and a year. Run your ideas by the group here and let us see if we see anything to comment on.

BTW, one of the LFSs I visit has a 500 gal Cichlid tank. Absolutely beautiful.

[stephaniesquires]

Like the others have said - read and research.. then have lots of patience... THere are some great threads on here that have step by step guides. Explore this site and find other resources, then find a guide on how to have patience!!

[Packer Lakerfan4]

Read a lot and make sure you have the time and more importantly THE MONEY TO TAKE ON A TANK THAT SIZE i have a 150 gallon and i love it but the bigger the tank the better its a lot of fun