150 Gallon mix tank build !!!!!!

[sean_954]

Wow ........well here goes , after about a year or so reading and looking at all the posts here ( very very very helpful ) , also running a lil 55 gallon mix tank ....its now time for me to step out an do god damn ting !!
i wanted to do a 110 gal tank but when i went to the shop i saw this very very nice 150 gal - tall tank with a nice stand on special , so guess what ...........i got it , strayed from my plans and now i have a couple questions ..
Please bare in mind i'm not that verse , i may have read alot on this but i have never really had to put any of my knowledge to use ...
so first question , since i am going to use a 150 gal tall tank ( 48"W x 24D x 30"H) do u think that a fluorescent setup will be able to reach the depths @ 30" or should i go with a 2 x 250MH with 4 x 54 ?

 

[rort]

I was just about in your same position with a 150 (60"W x 24"D x 24"H) looking for lights. Everyone will always tell you it all depends on what you want to put in it! If you are talking about PC or T5's from my research i would deff go with T5 or the MH. (or combo like youare talking about) You honestly knew more than me when I started researching!

Good luck

 

[crvz]

you're probably better off with the metal halide for penetration, but I do have all T5 on my 150 (it's a 24" deep tank, though). If you have a deep sand bed, which will raise your bottom a bit, I imagine you'll be fine with just T5s if you keep higher light demanding corals off the floor of the tank.

 

[sean_954]

Ohhh ok .........thanks guys !
Crvs : i i'm going to do a 2" sand bed , so i guess i'll have to stick with the MH , oh well i'm off to go get my fixture MH w/T5 .
Also i'm see where they are saying " Live Rock Uncured" , so should i put the " Uncured Live Rock " at the beginning of the tank so it can be cycled , reason being on my first lil 55 gal i used the cured ones .... can anyone let me know ?

Thanks,

 

[Michael]

i have t5s but i dont think they would be affective at 30" so metal halide would be better i think

 

[sean_954]

Nice tank !!!

 

[Hornet]

I have the same tank and I'm planning on buying an Aquactinics Constellation fixture. It has individual reflectors for each of the 7 T5 bulbs.

I'm not going to use a canopy so the Constellation fixture will work out well for me.

 

[crvz]

I'd put the uncured rock in the tank as soon as possible and let it cycle before making the swap if you can.

 

[Harley Fish]

i hope you have fun on your new tank

i would go with metal halides but for me on a crappy £10 a month pocket money

i carnt afford to dun them 8(

 

[mike126]

I have 4x54w t5 on my 120 wich is 24 in deep ive have lots of corals on my sand no sps of course but clams and zoa's and they seam to be doing fine.
If i where to redo it i would put one 250w metal halide right in the center of the tank and then one 2x54w t5 in front of that and one behind it

 

[tspors]

Here is what I use on my 150g 72 x 18 x 30
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+8075+12779&pcatid=12779
Fish and coral
834 watts

 

[sean_954]

Wow ......thanks for the respoonse to the lighting fellow reefers , i really do appreciate it .........but i just went with the " ODYSSEA 48" w/ 250 HQI ,4-65 Watt 03 Actinics, 12 (6 dual) LED moonlights (760w) amean its a lil cheapy , $399 (ebay) but funds is kinda tight right now , ya know a mean !!
But any way i have started my 45 gal DIY sump with Refg and its commin along very nicely, i'm very proud of ma self...wish i had pics to post now but with my stupid iphone which doesn't have a flash to take pics at night , so i guess will have to wait untill the tomm.
Also guys i have narrowed my skimmer selection down to the " MSX200 & Octopus NW 200 " , which one you think i should go with granted there is about $100 diff. , but then again i would want $100 to stop performance if thats the case ......
Any Suggestions ???

** Pic of tank , sump and all current work will be up soon(tomm) ..... hope it dosen't rain tomm . i got to beg $300.00 (Cam Fund) **

 

[sean_954]

Bump !!!!!!!!!!
Any Suggestions ?????

 

[Hornet]

Both are good skimmers but I'd go with the MSX.

 

[crvz]

I'd probably get the MSX also.

 

[atrox]

Tons of articles concerning the Odyssea fixture.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1234358&highlight=odyssea+metal+halide

This is a great thread, pull up a chair and stay awhile on this one. Its split about a million times so be sure to start at the first post.

Great light you will be happy with it.

 

[sean_954]

Thanks guys ......i shal order now !