Newbie Dilemma

[Cooper57]

Howdy folks, i'm looking for some advice, and yes I am a fresh newbie. My intention is to start a simple reef setup with some clowns and zoas. I have a 37g 18"x20"x24" tall aquarium that was a freebie. I've looked into getting lights for it and was recommended a 20" nova extreme pro. The lights run for around $240-$300+. For my first aquarium should I stick with this freebie and start buying the components or pick up an all in one for the same price as just the lights for the 37g? I know I will lose some capacity going with an AIO. I would like to keep my investment in this hobby small to start atleast and was looking for advice for the best bang for my buck. After combing this website for the last few months I am ready to get the ball rolling. Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Cooper57

 

[Shane Hoffman]

I would look for a cheaper metal halide pendant on craigslist or even new. If your near a major city it shouldnt take to long to find a used on on CL. Then you could use it if you ever decided to upgrade.

 

[mcoomer]

As Shane says, if you are already wondering if upgrading is the path to take then look for items that you could use on an upgraded tank. For now, stick with the small tank. 6 months from now you may decide that you don't want to do aquariums.

Mike

 

[sir_dudeguy]

I'm not sure what light the nova extreme is...but i've got a 150w halide fixture (the current satalite or something like that i think) over a 16g bow and its perfect light for that...but i wouldnt put it on much bigger than like a 20 or 24.

And my 16 is also 20" so i'm assuming that the light is no bigger than a 150w halide if that? Correct me if i'm wrong please

But assuming that, i would look for something a bit stronger than that for a 37g tank that is 2 feet tall....That light might be able to grow softies if its a halide, but i didnt get great growth from anything other than halides and t5's in my 55 which was also 24" tall....

 

[one clownfish]

Zoas don't require a whole lot of light. You could get something from the big box store with alum. reflectors and decent bulbs. Put them in the middle if your 24" deep and they will grow. I put some in my fuge just to see how they would do and they grew.Couldn't believe it but they did grow slow.

 

[Engine8ff]

As mentioned above, I would look for a used MH but maybe in the 250 range this would allow you to grow some sps and lps also. You say you want to just keep some softies but you will want to move into some sps and lps. I would also stay with the smaller tank for a little while to get chemistry and all the other stuff worked out before moving to a larger system. Good luck and keep asking questions.

 

[Cooper57]

Thanks guys. The Nova extreme pro is a 20"6 bulb t-5. I was recommened it by my LFS as a good all around light. I was just curious if you guys preferred setting up a tank from scratch or an all in one for someone new to the hobby. I can get an AIO up and running cheaper and sooner than the 37g but will be limited right off the bat. To say i may not enjoy the hobby after 6 months is a possibilty i believe for all excited newbies <---- What stinks is i'm very limited in space in my tiny house and have about a 30" wide spot to set up the tank. The 37 gallon tall tank and a 28g or so nano would fit perfect and are about my only options. Thanks for taking the time to read my post.
Cooper57

 

[Chiefsurfer]

If you ever think you might keep more than just zoas(you definitely will) I would reccomend getting t5's. 24" tall isn't that deep to keep most lps. I would go with a 24" t5 fixture. The reason I say this is that the 18" bulbs(I believe what they use for a 20" fixture) are kinda new, and as many people have found out, very hard to get replacement bulbs RIGHT NOW, and a much smaller selection than the regular 24" bulbs. I do not know specifics besides my own, but My 24" lights have adjustable legs, so it could theoretically mount to anywhere from like 16" tank, to a 25" tank. You might overhang a BIT, but not much. My fixture is an Aquaticlife 4-bulb t5HO.

If you already have the tank, I would stick with that tank. Reason I am saying this is because a LOT of AIO's need mods done to them anyway, because lighting can be PC, which usually need an upgrade. Then you usually need to upgrade the skimmer, and build a fuge. All stuff you have to "do" to a tank. I am not a cube guy if you couldn't tell. I just personally don't like them. Kinda whatever you like.

 

[Cooper57]

Hey Chiefsurfer, thanks for the advice. I've read that people have been struggling to find bulbs for the 20" fixtures. Never thought of going to a 24" fixture, didn't think the mounts could adjust down from the width of the fixture without doing some DIY that I really didn't want to get into. My impression is the standard cubes straight out the box do just that, standard inhabitants. Going to research a bit more on the nano tank upgrading and crunch some numbers. I've heard with the T5 fixtures that they don't put out as much heat as a MH. I'd hate to get the MH and have to go out and buy a chiller the same day. Also going to research the 18" bulb situation and see where they stand in availability and variety now and in the future. Thanks again for reading my post and all advice.

Cooper57

 

[sir_dudeguy]

Hmmm...i was unaware that there was such thing as an 18" t5 HO bulb.... sure they make t5's, but last i checked they dont make a High output one. That would be the 24" ones

I've heard with the T5 fixtures that they don't put out as much heat as a MH.

I had t5 HO's and you could touch the bulb while its running, they're not really hot at all. MH would literally boil your skin if you were to touch it lol

 

[reefboarder]

Re: Newbie Dilemma

What was th tank originally used for?fresh/salt?
If it was a fresh set up you may want to get another tank because of the possibility of copper in the tank.
Then you could get something a little less complicated to light.
That's my 2 pennies.
Hope I've helped