If You Are New to Reef Central, Introduce Yourself Here!

How many bulbs?

How many bulbs?

Hello, my name is David. I'm 42 and have been dabbling around with freshwater fish for as long as i can remember. About a 1 1/2 years ago I decided I want to go "reef". Well, I bought a tank off a friend that was custom made (48"x16"x18"high) and have been doing research ever since! I think I'm almost to the point of "over" researching :fun5:! Right now, I'm at the "which lights do I use" stage. MH or t5? I'm kinda leaning toward t5 because of heat and $. I'm trying to piece this together as cheaply as possible (mortgage, 2 car payments, wife, and oh yeah, gotta have that iphone!) I'm wanting to keep a wide variety of corals including SPS so my question is if I go with t5's, how many bulbs and what colors are the best for a "reefer" on a tight budget?
 
dgbenning said:
Hello, my name is David. I'm 42 and have been dabbling around with freshwater fish for as long as i can remember. About a 1 1/2 years ago I decided I want to go "reef". Well, I bought a tank off a friend that was custom made (48"x16"x18"high) and have been doing research ever since! I think I'm almost to the point of "over" researching :fun5:! Right now, I'm at the "which lights do I use" stage. MH or t5? I'm kinda leaning toward t5 because of heat and $. I'm trying to piece this together as cheaply as possible (mortgage, 2 car payments, wife, and oh yeah, gotta have that iphone!) I'm wanting to keep a wide variety of corals including SPS so my question is if I go with t5's, how many bulbs and what colors are the best for a "reefer" on a tight budget?
Click to expand...
<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>
T5's are a great choice. I would recommend 6 or 8 bulb set up. I would ask the expert (Grim Reefer) he has a loooong thread over in the Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment forum, That thread is just for asking T5 questions, Let him know I sent you and he'll set you up with the right combo ;)

Edit: No need to read the whole thread, just go to the end and give your tank info, what you want to accomplish and ask him for suggestions.
 
Last edited:
Hello Everyone! My name is Steve, I live in Phoenix, AZ. I've been keeping freshwater fish off and on for about the last 15 years. I finally have the means and funds to afford saltwater so here goes. Currently have a FOWLR 55gal, old tank, old stand. Stepfather is building us a custom stand and skirt for a 75g with overflows and 29g sump (DIY). Just finished up my sump this week and should have the stand finished in about another week or 2. Waiting to purchase my tank until the stand and skirt are complete. Eventually I would like to move into full reef with corals but am still unsure which direction I would like to go (soft or hard). As I say I'm a Noob and still have alot to learn about this section of the hobby. Any advise for a 1st timer is much appreciated! First time using a sump also, always used canisters.
 
hello rc

hello rc

Hello,i'm new to this hobby,RC devo say that you helped me greatly in improving the quality of my aquarium. thanks Raul from puerto rico
 
StaticSquelch said:
Hello Everyone! My name is Steve, I live in Phoenix, AZ. I've been keeping freshwater fish off and on for about the last 15 years. I finally have the means and funds to afford saltwater so here goes. Currently have a FOWLR 55gal, old tank, old stand. Stepfather is building us a custom stand and skirt for a 75g with overflows and 29g sump (DIY). Just finished up my sump this week and should have the stand finished in about another week or 2. Waiting to purchase my tank until the stand and skirt are complete. Eventually I would like to move into full reef with corals but am still unsure which direction I would like to go (soft or hard). As I say I'm a Noob and still have alot to learn about this section of the hobby. Any advise for a 1st timer is much appreciated! First time using a sump also, always used canisters.
Click to expand...

[welcome]
It sure is nice to have a family member that can costumize your set up. I'm jelous!!!

As far as the coral many start off slow and build up to the LPS and SPS, I wouldn't add something to your tank that you don't want to have in there (Like xenia's, mushrooms etc..) just to get the experience. there are a few LPS that are great for beginners like hammer, trumpet, frogspawn corals. Once you get stable water parameters (3-9 months) you can try your hand at a feew easy ones..... Good luck
Sis
 
Hi everyone! I've been lurking for a long while as a visitor. My daughter and I have spent many hours at the LFSs mesmerized by the marine aquaria, and at last we have decided we want to become 'reefers' ourselves. As she's in school all day, I've been assigned the task of educating myself on the topic. Little did I know what a massive undertaking the research would be...I've been reading for months and we haven't even been able to decide what size tank to buy! I finally joined RC 'officially' so we can ask some questions. (Months, and I'm just at the question stage...at this rate, I'll be setting up the tank at the retirement home!)

Anyway, I've appreciated your wisdom and your humor and look forward to out future conversations... And if anyone can point me to some great vendors in the SW Michigan area, I'd be very grateful!
 
wurking_girl said:
Hi everyone! I've been lurking for a long while as a visitor. My daughter and I have spent many hours at the LFSs mesmerized by the marine aquaria, and at last we have decided we want to become 'reefers' ourselves. As she's in school all day, I've been assigned the task of educating myself on the topic. Little did I know what a massive undertaking the research would be...I've been reading for months and we haven't even been able to decide what size tank to buy! I finally joined RC 'officially' so we can ask some questions. (Months, and I'm just at the question stage...at this rate, I'll be setting up the tank at the retirement home!)

Anyway, I've appreciated your wisdom and your humor and look forward to out future conversations... And if anyone can point me to some great vendors in the SW Michigan area, I'd be very grateful!
Click to expand...
:D It's better to be well informed than uninformed,
[welcome]

RC has a section for local clubs to hang out, There are a few based in MI, Check it out You may get some great advice on where to look and what LFS are reputable. Hope you and your daughter love this hobby.
 
Hi My name is Vicki

Hi My name is Vicki

I started my saltwater tank a year ago last October. I have taken it very slow with just LS, LR and fish for the first year. After doing tons of research and lots and lots of reading, I have just started this month adding a few corals.

My experience has been cichlids for 30 years so I thought it would be a piece of cake to switch to saltwater but it has been a huge eye opener. The hardest thing for me to wrap my mind around was NOT using a cannister filter. LOL

I have gone through the red slime, brown algae, bright green algae and hair algae. We are finally crystal clear and my water parameters are right where I want them! GRIN

Even with all my reading, I listened to some advice at the LFS that I wish I had not done. I went in with the intention of purchased T5's and was talked into buying PC's. I am definitely going to get T5's when I upgrade my tank.

My tank now is a 46 gallon bowfront but I really want some tangs and more fish along with my corals so I am working to upgrade to a 90 gallon. Once I decide on which one to buy I will sell my current set up.

I moved to Michigan 2 years ago from West Texas and am really enjoying it here. I have 4 adult children and 10 grandchildren spread all over the place.

I am so grateful to find such wonderful resources on this site.
 
tcp316 said:
I started my saltwater tank a year ago last October. I have taken it very slow with just LS, LR and fish for the first year. After doing tons of research and lots and lots of reading, I have just started this month adding a few corals.

My experience has been cichlids for 30 years so I thought it would be a piece of cake to switch to saltwater but it has been a huge eye opener. The hardest thing for me to wrap my mind around was NOT using a cannister filter. LOL

I have gone through the red slime, brown algae, bright green algae and hair algae. We are finally crystal clear and my water parameters are right where I want them! GRIN

Even with all my reading, I listened to some advice at the LFS that I wish I had not done. I went in with the intention of purchased T5's and was talked into buying PC's. I am definitely going to get T5's when I upgrade my tank.

My tank now is a 46 gallon bowfront but I really want some tangs and more fish along with my corals so I am working to upgrade to a 90 gallon. Once I decide on which one to buy I will sell my current set up.

I moved to Michigan 2 years ago from West Texas and am really enjoying it here. I have 4 adult children and 10 grandchildren spread all over the place.

I am so grateful to find such wonderful resources on this site.
Click to expand...
[welcome]
I don't get why LFS's tried to sell you PC's, I got roped into that as well, lesson learned... right???
 
Here are some pictures of my 47 gallon bow

Here are some pictures of my 47 gallon bow

I took a few pictures of my tank now. I plan to purchase a 90 gallon to upgrade so I can have more large fish and lots of different corals.

http://i568.photobucket.com/albums/ss130/tcp316/Saltwater Aquarium/P1270001.jpg

http://i568.photobucket.com/albums/ss130/tcp316/Saltwater Aquarium/P1270003.jpg

http://i568.photobucket.com/albums/ss130/tcp316/Saltwater Aquarium/P1270007.jpg

I really want to get a sailfin tang, hippo tang and possible an electric blue. But that will all be after I get the 90 gallon set up.

I also am debating on what kind of clowns to get. i have a perc but want a mated pair so i will take him back and get a pair. I just can't decide which kind to get. The percs seem so interactive and friendly. The maroons are pretty but don't seem to interact as much. I may be wrong but it is what I have observed from other tanks I have seen.
 
tcp316 said:
I took a few pictures of my tank now. I plan to purchase a 90 gallon to upgrade so I can have more large fish and lots of different corals.

http://i568.photobucket.com/albums/ss130/tcp316/Saltwater Aquarium/P1270001.jpg

http://i568.photobucket.com/albums/ss130/tcp316/Saltwater Aquarium/P1270003.jpg

http://i568.photobucket.com/albums/ss130/tcp316/Saltwater Aquarium/P1270007.jpg

I really want to get a sailfin tang, hippo tang and possible an electric blue. But that will all be after I get the 90 gallon set up.

I also am debating on what kind of clowns to get. i have a perc but want a mated pair so i will take him back and get a pair. I just can't decide which kind to get. The percs seem so interactive and friendly. The maroons are pretty but don't seem to interact as much. I may be wrong but it is what I have observed from other tanks I have seen.
Click to expand...
It's quite possible that you can get a juvenile perc clown that will mate nicely with the one you already have. Depending on the age of the one in your tank it is a female, when you get a juvenile and put it in with the female, the juvenile will become a male and if things go right they will become a mated pair.

I did it this way, there was about a month between adding the 2 clowns.
 
Last edited:
I moved to Michigan 2 years ago from West Texas and am really enjoying it here. I have 4 adult children and 10 grandchildren spread all over the place.
Click to expand...

Vicki, It's a pleasure to have some more mature people on here.
I'm a Geezer myself but you have way more children and Grandchildren than I have. :wavehand:
Glad to meet you
 
I started with 2. I put them in about 14 months ago. They got along extremely well. Then I added an Anemone to my tank and I thought one of them got killed by that. It was on a killing spree:(.

I found it later behind my stand. It committed Hari Kari. My grandkids were so sad. They had named them. Nemo and Sally. Sally was the jumper. I added a small clown about 4 months ago but I had a stupid damsel in there I couldn't catch and it chased it to death. I took all the rock out and caught the damsel and got rid of it. I guess I can try again. I am wondering if my clown is steering clear of the green long tentacled anemone since the other one has been such a beast.
I am going to get rid of it. Just haven't know what to do with it. It was sold to me as a condy but I am not sure what it is. When it isn't bleached out, it has some green in it and a pinkish tint. It is stressed out right now because it pulled off the strainer to one of my powerheads. It is doing much better but still bleached out quite a bit. i just won't settle in one place.
 
Looks like a nice tank! Its gonna be a shame to tear it down.

As far as clowns go, i have (had now, male is gone) a pair of maroon gold stripes and a pair of occy clowns (seperate tanks). They are the same as far as interaction with me goes, but the big femal maroon will eat out of my hand if i feed pellet. Its fun to do from time to time :) I also have a very timid damsel...what im getting at is people make general statements about fish based on what they see. So its a safe bet that MOST damsels will be aggressive, same thing for maroon clowns....but its not the rule. If you want to role the dice, there is a chance you could get a really cool fish!
 
1DeR9_3Hy said:
Looks like a nice tank! Its gonna be a shame to tear it down.

As far as clowns go, i have (had now, male is gone) a pair of maroon gold stripes and a pair of occy clowns (seperate tanks). They are the same as far as interaction with me goes, but the big femal maroon will eat out of my hand if i feed pellet. Its fun to do from time to time :) I also have a very timid damsel...what im getting at is people make general statements about fish based on what they see. So its a safe bet that MOST damsels will be aggressive, same thing for maroon clowns....but its not the rule. If you want to role the dice, there is a chance you could get a really cool fish!
Click to expand...
Looks like a nice tank! Its gonna be a shame to tear it down.

As far as clowns go, i have (had now, male is gone) a pair of maroon gold stripes and a pair of occy clowns (seperate tanks). They are the same as far as interaction with me goes, but the big femal maroon will eat out of my hand if i feed pellet. Its fun to do from time to time I also have a very timid damsel...what im getting at is people make general statements about fish based on what they see. So its a safe bet that MOST damsels will be aggressive, same thing for maroon clowns....but its not the rule. If you want to role the dice, there is a chance you could get a really cool fish!
Click to expand...

I haven't ruled out maroons, just been observing them. I have also been watching the black and white ocellaris clowns, cinnamon and tomato clowns. What do you know about them hosting a Green LTA? I believe the maroons host them well. What about the others? I am just researching them all before deciding. The black and whites are beautiful? How aggressive are they and how hard to keep?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

sauceyreefOG
New (but old) Member - Hello!
Replies
12
Views
614
Reefing102
Reefing102
EXTREMECORALS
What are Brain Corals and why you should introduce them to your reef tank ~ Extremecorals.com Blog
Replies
0
Views
306
EXTREMECORALS
EXTREMECORALS
griss
  • Sticky
If You’re New Here
3 4 5
Replies
82
Views
11K
Misled
Misled
EXTREMECORALS
  • Sticky
Thank you for letting us join Reef Central! - ExtremeCorals.com
Replies
0
Views
875
EXTREMECORALS
EXTREMECORALS
zachtos
Zachtos' 300G WI Reef
Replies
6
Views
2K
McPuff
McPuff
Back
Top