Need recommendations for new set up

[woodman24]

First, Hi everyone. I'm new here, but not new to maintaining a marine aquarium. I am considering upgrading to a 120 gallon tank with (2) overflows. I am wondering if you could please provide me some recommendations on peripherals: Lights, sump(s), pumps, etc. I intend on having a FOWLR with minimal easy to maintain corals (possibly) and inverts (snails, crabs, starfish, and urchins). I would like to have an Emperor Angelfish and not sure about others. I am also not working on an unlimited budget. I’d also like to have some type of light set up that I can maintain under a canopy (without it getting too hot). Thanks for your help. My current set up is by far not this complicated and all the options are leaving me more confused.

 

[bertoni]

[welcome]

For soft corals, PC lighting would do, but the Emperor is going to nibble on corals, almost certainly. So for a FOWLR, any lighting that looks good to your eyes is fine. I've used Eheim pumps for sumps, and they're okay, as far as I can tell. You'll need some further circulation in the tank, which would call for some powerheads or a closed loop.

 

[zoomfish1]

For lights, I would probably use T5HO. Good coverage with individual reflectors, run cooler than halides, bulbs last longer.

As for sump, get the largest that will fit under the stand. You should be able to fit a 55 or maybe a 75 under there. Your return pump would need to be something around 1000gph with the dual overflows. I assume they are 600gph overflows.

Oh, and my manners, welcome to RC and the hobby. Be warned: it can be very addictive. Even talking about it on the computer can be addictive.

 

[WaterKeeper]

Well you can't have it both ways Woodman. Is it FOWLR or a reef with corals?

I'd second the vote for T-5HO and plenty of LR and a DSB for easy maintenance. See the sticky at the very top of this page for all sorts of suggestions on sumps, pumps, etc.

 

[jdjeff58]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9430683#post9430683 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by zoomfish1
Even talking about it on the computer can be addictive.

That's an understatement.

 

[woodman24]

Thanks for the welcome. Do you recommend the Nova Extreme T5HO retro kit, and do I need 2X54 watts or 4X54 watts?

 

[zoomfish1]

I would def go with the 4x54w. That 46g bow is pretty deep. More light to reach the bottom would do you a better job. That is, if you're going with corals. For a fowler, it dosen't matter.

But, we all know you will end up with corals, so go with the 4x54's.

 

[woodman24]

What is DSB? I agree it will only be a FOWLR with inverts but I'd like to get lights that could allow me to have some basic corals one day.

 

[woodman24]

Zoomfish...I have a 46 bow now, but I plan on getting a 120....so 48X24X24. And yes it has 2 600 gph overflows.

 

[bertoni]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=803688

That thread has some notes on substrate choices. It covers DSBs (deep sand beds).

 

[woodman24]

Do I need some type of moonlighting with the T5HO's?

 

[zoomfish1]

Moonlights do nothing for the tank as far as coral spawn or imitating moonlight. It's really only for your viewing pleasure. I have moonlights on mine because I turn lights off at 8:00 pm and don't want to look at a black hole for 3 hrs.