Hello Everyone

[Cheryl]

Hello everyone.....

I've just bought a Jewel 260 (bow front) and we are hoping to set it up for marine then build the reef up gradually.....

The Jewel 260 comes with a built in filter and we are thinking of adding live rock and maybe an external fluval 304.....

What I'd like to know at the moment is how much live rock and would this be enough filtration?

Also what is the min of lighting for corals?

Thanks for any help and no doubt I'll be back numerous more times with numerous more questions.....

:wacko:

Cheryl

[Garry thomas]

Cheryl firstly welcome, it's nice to have new members that can talk freely. You will get lots of advice on here.
lets start with the internal filter, you may as well remove as it's benefits are very small ,and it takes up a lot of room in the reef aquarium. It's quite easy to do actually, and you can still use the heater which is in side.
1 box to start of, well cured live rock would filter your tank, but be patient on the stocking levels.
An external filter would be of some use, especially for phosphate removers ect,as you are not running a sump.
As you have the facility for 2 lamps all ready, Perhaps one marine white and one blue, That would suit most low light loving inverts!
Cheryl you dont mention a protien skimmer? or is it just a slip ?
A friend of mine runs one of these tanks very successfully as a reef i will add.

[Grahammc]

Hi Cheryl :D

Welcome to the board :D. As you can see Garry has already introduced himself. I myself have a Rio 300 made by Jewel. At the moment i have got a small reef set up. Contents off which are as follows. No internal filter as they are Rubbish. I have a Aqua Medic Turbo Flotor 1000 skimmer, Lighting well at the moment i have the twin light set up as Garry said one white and one actinic blue but i also have a 70cm Arcadia Series 3 Metal Halide with two blue actinics on and on a timmer. I have about 35/45kg live rock, 2 heaters, Digital heater probe, have also got a Ehime external filter for Rowaphos plus carbon once a month for 3 days only. Things are going ok on this set up but am looking into a new tank Yes Garry bigger with a sump :D :D . Hope this helps you cheryl.

Graham :D

[jacks back]

Cheryl,

Don't rule out the filter completely try blocking off most of the bottom intake realling on just the top as the will give a better surface skim aslo your heater is safe and its somewhere to keep a throw away filter pad/wool.
You will need a box (20kg) of live rock.
Maybe think about using some kind or reef rack to help prevent dead spots, it also adds height to your reef without breaking the bank!
Skimmers you will need one unless you set up an ecosystem look around plenty of good ones out there Hang on would be your best option but don't rule out internals like Tunze amazing peices of German craft.

Remeber If your not sure just ask

Regards

steve B)

[jacks back]

Cheryl

Forgot to mention about lighting 2 tubes for starters would be fine (1xactinic 1x 6500k) but add as soon as poss or even remove the lid and suspend a halide 250watters your best bet.

Regards

steve B)

[Cheryl]

Thanks to everyone for their comments and advice.....

I'm onto the next step now !

(I hope) :D