what are the different kind of reef tanks

hello everyone
i put my live rock in about 3 weeks ago. the tank is 1 mouth old ,and i have been thinking that there is different types of reef's that you can build and try to get the same fish and soft coral.

what types are there
does it mater what type of reef i go, can i put a random reef tougher, and not have to really care what type of reef tank it is?

 

Mixed Reef
LPS
SPS
Soft Coral?
Well you can't put random stuff together, territory.
Placement of Corals in the Reef Tank

 

oo cool did not know soft coral could be territorial

 

You basically have three different types of corals. Not including the gorgonians, and sponges and the nonphotosynthetic corals. You can pretty much make these generalization IMO.

Sps: Intense lighting T5, Mh, LED. Having a skimmer increases your chances of sucess, dosing, good flow, excellent water conditions.

Lps:Good to intense lighting, PC T5, Mh, skimmer optional, mod flow, can tolerate systems that have some nutrients in them.

Soft: PC and the lower level T5. Lower lighting needs, skimmer optional, supplemental feedings good, actually like to have some nutrients in the system. Tolerate decreased flow.

You can mix most types of corals, just plan ahead for what you may want to keep in the future. And a lot of hobbyist end up coveting the sps corals after some time. Paying for the better lighting systems, better skimmers and appropriate sized tank for the needs of the tank inhabitants is really important. And when all is said and done checking parameters and doing wc when appropriate.

 

+1 to what corailline said

 

And as always Bloodkip comes in with words of wisdom. Placement is mucho important.

 

thanks everyone.

everyone in 3reef is a great help

 

If you're thinking on throwing some SPS in the tank at any point, I would invest in a good light system. I really regret buying what I bought. The wave point lights, even though it has good individual reflectors, sucks as a light system. You don't have any programmable options. All lights on (actinic, day light) or all light off. No dawn/dusk effect, no moon lights... nothing. Very bad investment. My sps's are really struggling to grow.

And YES!!! 3 reef is the place to be. People here really do care.

 

wow. wow. wow. wow...wavepoint. I was thinking about buying this. the 4x24w.

I know it is slr, & is a retro fit. But only one cord? ugh...

 

wavepoint systems can come as either retro or in a fixture. I believe he means the fixture only has one cord. There are two ballasts though so if you wanted independent control it would be just a matter of drilling a hole and wiring up another cord.

If you are getting a retrofit you could wire it up however you wanted.

I have a wavepoint fixture 4x54w and the actinics come on before the other lights. Pretty sure that is just because the ballast warms up faster or something but it works out.