What do you consider basic life support for a reef tank?

[Daniel@R2R]

What do you consider to be basic life support for a reef tank? What are the bare essentials that absolutely MUST be included on any setup to keep inhabitants alive?

 

[Reefer Matt]

Lighting, water chemistry, flow, and temperature control.

 

[danimal1211]

Surface agitation for gas exchange for short term emergencies even if only done by hand. Long term, light, flow food source, and some means of nutrient export.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Proper lighting, water that has salt in it, proper flow, and chemistry that is not out of whack are essential.

 

[GARRIGA]

Depends on the reef tank inhabitants doesn't it. Softies requirements less restrictive then Sticks. Otherwise, can't see how running a reef tank differs from fish only. All need clean water. Proper pH based on what's being kept. Temps a discussion I had recently and not sure there's a definitive answer to that other than what's been the norm being followed. Metals may or may not harm inhabitants. Can't find literature stating softies affected same as Sticks. Might be. I haven't found it. Probably is and why likely best avoid them.

Not all reef tanks are sticks and in the 80s many I knew called reef tanks live rock with inverts as that's the best one could keep outside of softies such as Kenya Trees and mushrooms.

Really matters what one defines as reef. FOWLR could be construed as reef. I'm sure something will grow on the rocks. Did in the 80s. Although don't recall anyone calling it FOWLR. Do however miss those rocks. Today's base just crap.

 

[Reef-Rookie]

I set up a 13 gallon low tech reef tank for the first time late last year( it's currently June 2024). I started it with a Tetra Nano HOB filter, a no name 50 watt heater and the cheap LED lights that come built into the plastic aquarium cover. I even cycled it on dechlorinated tap water! Done in 3 weeks. It has progressed since then to some more advanced equipment but it doesn't take a whole lot of parts, time or money to get started. I'd be willing to wager that a person who knows where to look could get up and running for $50(used tank and equipment of course)

Disclaimer: It will not stop here. Soon you will be an expert on most all available equipment, practices and livestock. Be prepared to embark on an arduous journey if you take the plunge. Good Luck to you if you do!!! It's worth it!!!

 

[Sophie"s mom]

What do you consider to be basic life support for a reef tank? What are the bare essentials that absolutely MUST be included on any setup to keep inhabitants alive?

I would say flow, temp, light, and surface agitation.

 

[Chris L]

1. Heater/chiller depending on where you live
2. Water Flow
3. Lighting

 

[felda001]

A lot of additional information needed to answer that. What type of reef, how long do you need "basic life support", what kind of bioload and where are you would be things that change the equation. For a few days with soft corals just some water flow would probably be fine. Possibly longer if the tank is somewhere that gets direct sunlight and you have ac in the home. LPS or SPS reefs need a bit more support. Fish, clams and other livestock can change the equation as well

 

[Nano_Man]

Live Rock