downsizing, suggestions please

[MarkM3]

I've seriously been thinking of getting out of the hobby for quite a while, but know I would miss my "prize" corals and fish. (reasons: refinishing my floor, so tank must be moved anyways; huge energy bills; and I work 24/7 so don't get to enjoy the tank.) That being said, I'm considering downgrading to a 30g cube or 40g breeder as a way to simplify things and lower energy cost, without abandoning my love completely.

I'd like some suggestions on equiptment and/or setup. Currently my SPS's are under 2x250w MH in a 5' tank with 2 seio's and an oceansmotion wavemaker. I'd like to re-use as much equpitment as possible, with exception of lighting which is overkill for a smaller tank. I would be keeping LR, SPS, and just a couple of fish. The new tank would also be Bare Bottom and low nutrient/low feeding.

Setup 1:
Oceanic 30g cube with lighting options a) 4x65w PC b) 6x65w PC c) 1x75w MH d) 1x150w MH. Flow would be from 2 Seio 1500's. HOB style sump with skimmer (small euroreef/asm or Remora.)

Setup 2:
40g Breeder with lighting options a) 6x39w T5 b) 8x39w T5 c) 1x75w MH d) 1x150w MH e) 2x75w MH. Flow would be from 2 Seio 1500's + additional powerhead if flow is not sufficient. HOB style sump with skimmer (small euroreef/ASM.)

Which lighting suggestion please? Other ideas?
Thanks!

(FYI: I will be selling of old stuff soon to SF bay area local peeps, so stay tuned.)

 

[abfleck]

Re: downsizing, suggestions please

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6583638#post6583638 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MarkM3
I've seriously been thinking of getting out of the hobby for quite a while, but know I would miss my "prize" corals and fish. (reasons: refinishing my floor, so tank must be moved anyways; huge energy bills; and I work 24/7 so don't get to enjoy the tank.) That being said, I'm considering downgrading to a 30g cube or 40g breeder as a way to simplify things and lower energy cost, without abandoning my love completely.

I'd like some suggestions on equiptment and/or setup. Currently my SPS's are under 2x250w MH in a 5' tank with 2 seio's and an oceansmotion wavemaker. I'd like to re-use as much equpitment as possible, with exception of lighting which is overkill for a smaller tank. I would be keeping LR, SPS, and just a couple of fish. The new tank would also be Bare Bottom and low nutrient/low feeding.



Setup 1:
Oceanic 30g cube with lighting options a) 4x65w PC b) 6x65w PC c) 1x75w MH d) 1x150w MH. Flow would be from 2 Seio 1500's. HOB style sump with skimmer (small euroreef/asm or Remora.)

Setup 2:
40g Breeder with lighting options a) 6x39w T5 b) 8x39w T5 c) 1x75w MH d) 1x150w MH e) 2x75w MH. Flow would be from 2 Seio 1500's + additional powerhead if flow is not sufficient. HOB style sump with skimmer (small euroreef/ASM.)

Which lighting suggestion please? Other ideas?
Thanks!

(FYI: I will be selling of old stuff soon to SF bay area local peeps, so stay tuned.)

I so understand how you feel. I was just in the same situation as you. I just down graded a 75 to a 29. Perfect size for me to do mostly SPS with a BB set-up. I would go with the 30 cube with a 250 watter MH. I have a 250 on my 29. Working like a charm Good Luck!

AJ

 

[Wiskey]

I like this setup:

Setup 1:
Oceanic 30g cube with lighting options a) 4x65w PC b) 6x65w PC c) 1x75w MH d) 1x150w MH. Flow would be from 2 Seio 1500's. HOB style sump with skimmer (small euroreef/asm or Remora.)

But I would light it with 1*250W MH (which you already have) and maybe 1*55W PC atinic if you want.

I would get this tank drilled and not use a HOB style sump, then you could use your existing skimmer turned way down, or get a smaller insump skimmer, you seem to have more options with in sump skimmers.

I would use a 10 gallon or so sump, with autotopoff to further elimanate work. You can use a float valve, gravity fed from a small container of DI water for your autotopoff and it will cost about $25 to make.

HTH,
Whiskey

 

[fishman805]

I'd go with a deeper tank if your going to use the 250watt MH... A 37gal is the same as a 29gal ( 30" long ) but deeper so you could save more of your corals without losing PAR .....

Oh and I noticed you're using Seios on a wavemaker device..?? Did I read that right?? How's it working? I thought they could not run on a wavemaker....

Bob