New Tank

[JHipkin]

I have finally sucured approval from she who must be obeyed and will be building a larger SW reef tank. I am currently running a 12 gal nano cube. The new tank w/ill be a 57 gallon All Glass corner tank w/ built in overflow. She wouldn't go for the 90 gallon :-( I plan to convert my 20 gallon FW tank into a sump / refugium. Now a couple of questions:

1) Do I need a skimmer and if so what make / model would you recommend. I will need to be sure there is room for it in the sump / refugium.

2) Since it's an odd shape would I be better off using a couple of 24" T5/PC fixture or MH? I would like to have SPS in addition to softies. How many watts should I be planning on?

Thanks all for the help.

JHipkin

 

[T-T-Trigger]

single pemdant would do nicely and on a tank that small any euro style skimmer should do. really nice shape i think.

 

[Nukeproof]

I setup my sister's 54G AGA Corner Tank. I think that's the same one as yours. If you are going to put your sump under the stand, I don't beleive it will fit a 20 gallon. I think the one she got was a 15 high and we had to cut a groove to make that fit. The sump did fit a Euroreef 5-2 which I think is perfect for that tank.

For lighting, she went with a 30" PCs but I think getting a 250W Single 0r DE Pedent will work better for you. If you are allow to hang it, it will work best since nothing really sit nicely on that tank. Another option is to get a canopy made since I really didn't like the ones that AGA sells. HTH.

 

[JHipkin]

I am building the stand so that the 20 will fit. A pendent is a consideration, neither of us like the big clunky canopies, but I'm concerned about overflow light. The tank will be in a corner of the family room and we don't want the light to glare off the TV.

 

[tuberider]

With a good reflector you should not have any problems with glare. I have my tank 6' away from my tv no problems at all.

 

[JHipkin]

Do I need a skimmer for this relatively small tank? The sump will have a refugium. And if you think it's a good idea, what skimmer would you recommend?

for the MH, 150, 175, or 250 watts?

Thanks all.

 

[Nukeproof]

For the skimmer, it all depend on how much live stock you are going to have and how often you change your water.

On the light, I would go with a 250W. If you are worry about the light overflow, you could buy the canopy from AGA and take the top off and lower the lights so you will get less overflow. A little harder to work on your tank though.

 

[jedininja]

If you want SPS, the skimmer would be highly recommended. SInce you will probably need to go with a single pendant, 250w MH would be your best bet.

And there will always be some light overflowing without a canopy. Some have more than others. But unless you are hanging it very high, you should not have too much that it will affect anything a few feet away.