New 90G Setup
- Thread starter JeffMW
- Start date
scrmbld33
New member
heres the light i use over my 90, with 2 x 250 14k hamiltons and 2 x 110 actinics, plenty of light
http://www.hamiltontechnology.com/s...cat=4FT+Deluxe+Metal+Halide+with+Fluorescents
http://www.hamiltontechnology.com/s...cat=4FT+Deluxe+Metal+Halide+with+Fluorescents
eckrynock
Premium Member
[welcome]
Always fun to put a tank together. Hard to have it be your first. Glad you are doing some research. I am in the process of redoing my 90. Was this equipment given to you as part of a system or are you buying it independently on your own? I only ask because an ASM mini and 2 VHO bulbs are way underpowered eq. for a 90. It sounds like you only have (2) VHO bulbs for that tank? That will not be nearly enough for sps or clams. If you want to have stony corals and clams, you will most likely want to add (4) T5 bulbs or (2) 250watt MHs to the tank and use the VHOs for actinic purposes only.
I'm confused. Is the the entire display in the basement or just the sump? I'm guessing the entire display since a mag 5 would not pump anything at 10' of head. Your mag5 should be fine as a return from the sump. I'm sure the carbon tray is nice. A refugium is not difficult at all. If you're adding some live rock to your sump, just get some chaetomorpha algae from a club member or somewhere and put it in there with a light over it as well.
I bet that black sand looks awesome. PA has sweet looking rock, you will be pleased. They are my LFS! I love that place. Good luck and keep the questions coming.
Always fun to put a tank together. Hard to have it be your first. Glad you are doing some research. I am in the process of redoing my 90. Was this equipment given to you as part of a system or are you buying it independently on your own? I only ask because an ASM mini and 2 VHO bulbs are way underpowered eq. for a 90. It sounds like you only have (2) VHO bulbs for that tank? That will not be nearly enough for sps or clams. If you want to have stony corals and clams, you will most likely want to add (4) T5 bulbs or (2) 250watt MHs to the tank and use the VHOs for actinic purposes only.
I'm confused. Is the the entire display in the basement or just the sump? I'm guessing the entire display since a mag 5 would not pump anything at 10' of head. Your mag5 should be fine as a return from the sump. I'm sure the carbon tray is nice. A refugium is not difficult at all. If you're adding some live rock to your sump, just get some chaetomorpha algae from a club member or somewhere and put it in there with a light over it as well.
I bet that black sand looks awesome. PA has sweet looking rock, you will be pleased. They are my LFS! I love that place. Good luck and keep the questions coming.
So obviously my light setup is not going to accomodate what I would like to do. Would the below setup be better or would you recommend another...?
New Light Possibility
I have also placed an order for two of those other PHs mentioned above and will be upgrading my skimmer within the month based on recommendations here. Do you have a recommended skimmer for my setup?
Basically I got a great deal on the initial equipment and I am working around it. I got the brand new tank...unused...the stand and hood with lights and the filtration system...only the sump...for a mere $400. So I have just been learning and building with what I have.
Yes I currently only have the 2 VHOs and figured after some reading that it was inadequate for what I wanted to do. I dont want to go cheap on the lighting so if the above link will be better then I will go with that.
The entire display is in the basement. As stated above I did go with a MAG7 at first but it just drained my sump way to quickly so I went with the MAG5 instead. I still have an issue with water evaporation that I am looking into, but I am unsure as of what else to do at this time about that.
Chaetomorpha algae? Where do I pick this up, what is a club member and what kind of light will be nice for this area of my sump? Also what will this do for my inhabitants/environment.
You are one lucky individual to have PA right close to you. I am very excited to get the rocks in and you are correct about the sand. It is just beautiful! I will post some pics after I have the rocks in there sometime towards the end of the week.
Thank you all for the great tips and recommended upgrades!
New Light Possibility
I have also placed an order for two of those other PHs mentioned above and will be upgrading my skimmer within the month based on recommendations here. Do you have a recommended skimmer for my setup?
Basically I got a great deal on the initial equipment and I am working around it. I got the brand new tank...unused...the stand and hood with lights and the filtration system...only the sump...for a mere $400. So I have just been learning and building with what I have.
Yes I currently only have the 2 VHOs and figured after some reading that it was inadequate for what I wanted to do. I dont want to go cheap on the lighting so if the above link will be better then I will go with that.
The entire display is in the basement. As stated above I did go with a MAG7 at first but it just drained my sump way to quickly so I went with the MAG5 instead. I still have an issue with water evaporation that I am looking into, but I am unsure as of what else to do at this time about that.
Chaetomorpha algae? Where do I pick this up, what is a club member and what kind of light will be nice for this area of my sump? Also what will this do for my inhabitants/environment.
You are one lucky individual to have PA right close to you. I am very excited to get the rocks in and you are correct about the sand. It is just beautiful! I will post some pics after I have the rocks in there sometime towards the end of the week.
Thank you all for the great tips and recommended upgrades!
I have a 90, with 2 icecap 440's each running 2 110wVHO's, works fine for most everything, even clams, though I'd start off with t5's given the chance.
I really like my ehiem 1260 return pump. Silent, low power, good flow.
I like the ER skimmers, the 135 would be excellent in your system, or an older 6-2 or something equiv.
I really like my ehiem 1260 return pump. Silent, low power, good flow.
I like the ER skimmers, the 135 would be excellent in your system, or an older 6-2 or something equiv.
The new light fixture is a good choice. The algae you can get at an LFS or someone you know or come across that has some. A daylight flouresent bulb or strip light will work, almost any lighting will be ok for your refugium. The algae absorbs the phoshates, nitrates, etc from your system providing cleaner water for corals, etc. It is also a great place for pods to reproduce freely in case you get a mandarine, six line wrass, or any other such fish that primarily feed on pods.
eckrynock
Premium Member
Jeff,
I would not get the light setup you have linked. You already have 2 VHOs. Those two VHOs will be plenty of actinic lighting for your tank. VHOs are much better than PCs in that respect. I would chose a retro fit metal halide system that you can mount in your canopy. For less than the amount of money that coralife setup would cost, you could get a very nice MH setup. Reflectors are KEY, I've learned that. I am going to try the lumenar mini knockoffs from coralvue. These things put out a ton of light. With a dual 250watt ballast and a couple of lamps, you're looking at around $600.
Skimmers..... depends on your wallet. I'm springing for an H&S A150-F2001 with my bonus this year.
So, if you have the cash, I would suggest Deltec or H&S or ATI Bubblemasters. Euroreefs are kind of middle of the road plug and play skimmers. ASM and Octopus skimmers are also nice and can be modified to run even better. Just check the threads around here for skimmer picks.
This is what I use for top off in my tank. I have a 10 gallon RO/DI tank that I fill about every 3 or 4 days.
Chaeto is just another method of nutrient export that keeps nuisance algae from growing in your display tank. Sorry, by club member, I meant if there is a local reef club in your area, one of the club members is bound to have some chaeto they could give you. This is the bulb I use to grow chaeto in my sump.
Good Luck!
I would not get the light setup you have linked. You already have 2 VHOs. Those two VHOs will be plenty of actinic lighting for your tank. VHOs are much better than PCs in that respect. I would chose a retro fit metal halide system that you can mount in your canopy. For less than the amount of money that coralife setup would cost, you could get a very nice MH setup. Reflectors are KEY, I've learned that. I am going to try the lumenar mini knockoffs from coralvue. These things put out a ton of light. With a dual 250watt ballast and a couple of lamps, you're looking at around $600.
Skimmers..... depends on your wallet. I'm springing for an H&S A150-F2001 with my bonus this year.
So, if you have the cash, I would suggest Deltec or H&S or ATI Bubblemasters. Euroreefs are kind of middle of the road plug and play skimmers. ASM and Octopus skimmers are also nice and can be modified to run even better. Just check the threads around here for skimmer picks. This is what I use for top off in my tank. I have a 10 gallon RO/DI tank that I fill about every 3 or 4 days.
Chaeto is just another method of nutrient export that keeps nuisance algae from growing in your display tank. Sorry, by club member, I meant if there is a local reef club in your area, one of the club members is bound to have some chaeto they could give you. This is the bulb I use to grow chaeto in my sump.
Good Luck!
So I would have to get two of those lamps that you recommended there and one 250W ballast and then wire the 2 lamps into the ballast? I think that I would have an issue trying to mount those lamps into my hood as well. It would appear that if the coralife setup is good for what I would like to do then it is worth it...to me at least...to go that route if for nothing other than the simplicity of that process as opposed to the other. I could then move my VHOs over to my QT and learn in that arena with MHs.
It looks like I will need to look into some new skimmers very soon. I will post when I have narrowed my choices down and see what you all think.
I am on the phone now...from work...with my LFS finding some of the chaeto...lol.
Debating on the light situation now. I am weary of doing the ballast setup myself and having to redo that hood to accomodate the MHs.
Any other recommendations on the PHs? I am planning on ordering those mentioned above tonight.
It looks like I will need to look into some new skimmers very soon. I will post when I have narrowed my choices down and see what you all think.
I am on the phone now...from work...with my LFS finding some of the chaeto...lol.
Debating on the light situation now. I am weary of doing the ballast setup myself and having to redo that hood to accomodate the MHs.
Any other recommendations on the PHs? I am planning on ordering those mentioned above tonight.
eckrynock
Premium Member
Nothing wrong with the PHs you chose.
On the lighting. I was just giving you another option. Do what's easiest for you. Hamilton and Aqua Medic make nice hoods as well. I still would look for a hood combo that has VHOs or T5s over PCs. About the ballast, each lamp needs it's own ballast. So you could buy a "dual" 250watt ballast encased in one unit to run both lamps. Make sense? Sorry for the confusion.
Here is a much nicer setup for a little more.
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=AQ1831
On the lighting. I was just giving you another option. Do what's easiest for you. Hamilton and Aqua Medic make nice hoods as well. I still would look for a hood combo that has VHOs or T5s over PCs. About the ballast, each lamp needs it's own ballast. So you could buy a "dual" 250watt ballast encased in one unit to run both lamps. Make sense? Sorry for the confusion.
Here is a much nicer setup for a little more.
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=AQ1831
You explained it very well actually. My confusion comes in to play when I would need to set all of it up in the hood. I think that it would lose me along the way hence the reason the entire setup in one big bundle appeals to me greatly.
No need to apologize. The only confusion is my own "ignorance" in this arena as of right now. I do plan to do some of my own projects like this with my QT and once I get the hang of it then implement those solutions on my live setup.
I do like that other setup you posted there. I think that I will go ahead and run with that setup.
FYI - No luck on the algae just yet. Man I need to move to an area with better LFSs. The smartest guy in this whole store is only 14 years old and can only work on the weekends. Everyone I chatted with said to wait until "Danny" is back on Saturday. lol
No need to apologize. The only confusion is my own "ignorance" in this arena as of right now. I do plan to do some of my own projects like this with my QT and once I get the hang of it then implement those solutions on my live setup.
I do like that other setup you posted there. I think that I will go ahead and run with that setup.
FYI - No luck on the algae just yet. Man I need to move to an area with better LFSs. The smartest guy in this whole store is only 14 years old and can only work on the weekends. Everyone I chatted with said to wait until "Danny" is back on Saturday. lol
I just did some searching on PA and all I could find was this stuff linked below...
Algae
Are there any additives that I should be concerned with getting?
Also for the light solution you have recommended I have two questions...
Should I upgrade the halides to the 14K or 15K?
Are the moonlight LEDs present in the coralife system important? If they are good to have is there another way that I can add those to the environment in a different way since they are not included in the better setup?
Algae
Are there any additives that I should be concerned with getting?
Also for the light solution you have recommended I have two questions...
Should I upgrade the halides to the 14K or 15K?
Are the moonlight LEDs present in the coralife system important? If they are good to have is there another way that I can add those to the environment in a different way since they are not included in the better setup?
Last edited:
eckrynock
Premium Member
Here's some chaeto at liveaquaria, but pricey
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=2401
Check the livestock selling forum here on RC for people selling gallon bags of it for $10.
Moon lights are pretty much for aesthetics anyway. I love the look of my tank lit up by a few blue leds at night. I got my moonlights from "thelebos" on ebay. He even has a controller you can buy that will run the full cycle of the moon (dim leds to full and back again).
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=2401
Check the livestock selling forum here on RC for people selling gallon bags of it for $10.
Moon lights are pretty much for aesthetics anyway. I love the look of my tank lit up by a few blue leds at night. I got my moonlights from "thelebos" on ebay. He even has a controller you can buy that will run the full cycle of the moon (dim leds to full and back again).
SJGreene
New member
If your still looking for chaeto, check out http://www.premiumaquaticslive.com/
It's the "newer" livestock portion of PA.
It's the "newer" livestock portion of PA.
I found the algae and I am ready to place an order. They sell it in 1/4 lb packs so how many will I need to pick up?
Algae Link
Algae Link
eckrynock
Premium Member
1 pack of algae will be enough. This stuff grows FAST!
14 or 15k is not really an "upgrade", just a different bulb. 10k bulbs are usually very bright white and some have a small hint of yellow. You could always call MD and see which brand of 10k bulb comes with that setup. XM 10ks are nice, as well as ushios to name a couple. 15k xms are not very good, don't get those. The phoenix bulbs are many people's favorites, these are very blue but have a lot of usable radiation for coral growth which gives you good color and good growth. So, really it's up to you. I would not spend the money to "upgrade" that setup since they are basically charging you full price for one phoenix bulb when you get 2 10ks with it already. Keep the 10ks and see if you like it, you can always change out bulbs later.
14 or 15k is not really an "upgrade", just a different bulb. 10k bulbs are usually very bright white and some have a small hint of yellow. You could always call MD and see which brand of 10k bulb comes with that setup. XM 10ks are nice, as well as ushios to name a couple. 15k xms are not very good, don't get those. The phoenix bulbs are many people's favorites, these are very blue but have a lot of usable radiation for coral growth which gives you good color and good growth. So, really it's up to you. I would not spend the money to "upgrade" that setup since they are basically charging you full price for one phoenix bulb when you get 2 10ks with it already. Keep the 10ks and see if you like it, you can always change out bulbs later.
The algae will be here on Thursday and my new lights and PHs will be here next week.
I am stuck trying to find some kind of light for the reefugium area though. I am not sure if just some regular flourescent light...like you see at Spencers will work...or if I need something more specific.
Any recommended test kits?
I am stuck trying to find some kind of light for the reefugium area though. I am not sure if just some regular flourescent light...like you see at Spencers will work...or if I need something more specific.
Any recommended test kits?
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