125 Gal Reef Setup.

[rivank]

Hey all! I'm interested in switching my 125 Freshwater tank over to a Reef tank and would like to get an Idea of how much I'm going to spend in the new setup. I intend to run a plenum so any info on how much substrate I will need is one question. How much rock I should live rock I should start with is another. I will need roughly 563 watt output for lighting and would like any suggestions on that as well. I currently use power compact and normal flourescent on my 46 gal tank and would be leaning towards the same. Cost is kinda a concern and this will be a spaced out project. Thank you in advance for any help and all suggestions it is greatly appreciated.

 

[bertoni]

[welcome]

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=239848

That thread should be useful.

I would plan on roughly 125 lbs of live rock. There's a thread on substrate choices at the top of the forum. I would suggest avoiding the plenum, since there's no evidence that they work. I can point you at some articles if you'd like to do some reading. An inch or so of sand for looks is likely a fine choice, or you can skip the substrate altogether.

Depending on the animals you want to keep, PC lighting might be fine or not so good. What are your interests for the tank? Anemones, clams, stony corals, soft corals, etc?

 

[Dollarbill]

Arent Metal halide lights a "must" for a reef tank". Might want to check that as well. Im sure Bertonis thread probably covers that. I think ill go read now. db

 

[Cutiewitbooty]

563 watts over a 125 really isn't that mush. If you planning a fish only with live rock (FOWLR) with maybe a few mushrooms or zoas up high it might be ok. Now if you really want a reef tank you are going to need more light than that. Let's put it this way i have 280watts over a 25gal, with 150 of thoes watts being metal halide lighting. If i could go back i probally would have gotten the 250watt MH insted of the 150 and that would have put me at 380watts for a 25gal.