Newbie questions

[Ernan313]

Hi everybody. At the moment, I have a 25 gal empty tank and stand, with the intent to start a small reef tank. Over the next few to many months I will be looking for equipment to make this thing work. The first things on my list are lights, protein skimmer and pump. When I was looking at lights, It seems that metal halide is the way to go. I was thinking 14k bulbs. Do I have to use something different at night, or can I just turn them off? I found a lot of information on the different lighting but was wondering if there's some common brand names I can trust? Also, what kind of pump should I be looking at. I found some very cheap ones and some rather expensive ones. I imagine there's a difference in how much it can handle. What would I need for a 25 gal tank? Does it matter what kind of protein skimmer I get, or are they all pretty much the same. Lastly, what about sumps. It doesn't seem too hard to make. How big should it be in reference to the size of my tank? What do I have to do differently if I don't use a sump? From what I gather, it is more important on a smaller tank, like I have. Is there a good website I can use to find any of this equipment, or should I just browse for the best deals. More questions to come...If anyone has anything else to offer it is greatly appreciated. Thanks for the great site.

 

[Rjukan]

Hey fellow NYer, you came to the right place. RC has the answer to just about every question you will have if you look for it. My advice is use a yahoo or google search engine for your questions and scroll down to the RC hits. That fw experience will actually help you out down the road. I suggest looking at the 29g long, or a 55/75 if you can fit it. In the long run more volume will make things much easier on you.

Also there are a couple clubs in NY depending on where abouts in the state you live.

I would have given you the big RC welcome but I'm on my phone and don't have the command for it here lol.

 

[Michael]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14687415#post14687415 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rjukan
Hey fellow NYer, you came to the right place. RC has the answer to just about every question you will have if you look for it. My advice is use a yahoo or google search engine for your questions and scroll down to the RC hits. That fw experience will actually help you out down the road. I suggest looking at the 29g long, or a 55/75 if you can fit it. In the long run more volume will make things much easier on you.

Also there are a couple clubs in NY depending on where abouts in the state you live.

I would have given you the big RC welcome but I'm on my phone and don't have the command for it here lol.

my god your sad fancy browsing rc on your phone:lol: jk i do as well

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14687462#post14687462 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Michael
my god your sad fancy browsing rc on your phone:lol: jk i do as well

there was a girl(student) the other night who introduced herself while at a boring lecture---I'm sure she was using a phone or blackberry.

 

[Rjukan]

Lmao, what happened here? 2 of the most helpful posters and they get sidetracked because I happen to enjoy browsing RC on my phone while I work

Ernan you edited after I had replied so I missed the majority of your post. Here are some of my thoughts:

Take a second and third look at MH over T5, there are a few key issues like energy and heat you might not consider right away. Another thing is height over the tank, MHs need a lot more space than T5 lights. Unless you cant live without the shimmer, I would suggest T5s.

I dont know much about skimmers, I use a AquaC Urchin Pro and Im very happy with it. Watch the used forums for something in your price range and research it, before you know it you will have looked up several different skimmers and will have a better idea of what you need/want.

Return (sump) pump is based on your head pressure, how many feet the pump has to pump the water till it gets over the edge. Mag pumps are a safe bet. Inside your tank its up to you, there are several different types I have used seio and maxijet and Im happy with both. The sump imo should be as big as the space you have for it, I mean I have a 75g display and a 75g sump, if I had the room I would use a 120g lol. More water volume in the system is always a nice help.

In your position I would definitely recommend a sump, especially if you want to use MH lights (gives you another area to cool the water away from the heat of the bulb). I would always recommend a sump, I hate seeing the water level go down in the display. Plus in a small tank its real nice having the heater and the skimmer out of view, and you can run a fan across the water surface to help keep things cool when the lights are on.

Places to buy, try the vendor list here on RC. I also check out the used forums on RC and my local craigslist.

Oh and btw:

<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14689962#post14689962 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rjukan
Lmao, what happened here? 2 of the most helpful posters and they get sidetracked because I happen to enjoy browsing RC on my phone while I work

Ernan you edited after I had replied so I missed the majority of your post. Here are some of my thoughts:

Take a second and third look at MH over T5, there are a few key issues like energy and heat you might not consider right away. Another thing is height over the tank, MHs need a lot more space than T5 lights. Unless you cant live without the shimmer, I would suggest T5s.

I dont know much about skimmers, I use a AquaC Urchin Pro and Im very happy with it. Watch the used forums for something in your price range and research it, before you know it you will have looked up several different skimmers and will have a better idea of what you need/want.

Return (sump) pump is based on your head pressure, how many feet the pump has to pump the water till it gets over the edge. Mag pumps are a safe bet. Inside your tank its up to you, there are several different types I have used seio and maxijet and Im happy with both. The sump imo should be as big as the space you have for it, I mean I have a 75g display and a 75g sump, if I had the room I would use a 120g lol. More water volume in the system is always a nice help.

In your position I would definitely recommend a sump, especially if you want to use MH lights (gives you another area to cool the water away from the heat of the bulb). I would always recommend a sump, I hate seeing the water level go down in the display. Plus in a small tank its real nice having the heater and the skimmer out of view, and you can run a fan across the water surface to help keep things cool when the lights are on.

Places to buy, try the vendor list here on RC. I also check out the used forums on RC and my local craigslist.

Oh and btw:

<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>

oops sorry about that--its all Michaels fault though for hijacking

IMO the best site to answer all your questions visually would be Melev's Reef.
www.melevsreef.com

 

[Aquarist007]

Take a second and third look at MH over T5, there are a few key issues like energy and heat you might not consider right away. Another thing is height over the tank, MHs need a lot more space than T5 lights. Unless you cant live without the shimmer, I would suggest T5s.

Normally I would agree but with a 25gal tank I would be worried about heat issues using metal halides. Also I would want a low light level area in the tank for some lps corals that prefer it.

I dont know much about skimmers, I use a AquaC Urchin Pro and Im very happy with it. Watch the used forums for something in your price range and research it, before you know it you will have looked up several different skimmers and will have a better idea of what you need/want.

That is a good protein skimmer. I use a Remora C on my 40 gal and am happy with that.

QUOTE]Return (sump) pump is based on your head pressure, how many feet the pump has to pump the water till it gets over the edge. Mag pumps are a safe bet. Inside your tank its up to you, there are several different types I have used seio and maxijet and Im happy with both. The sump imo should be as big as the space you have for it, I mean I have a 75g display and a 75g sump, if I had the room I would use a 120g lol. More water volume in the system is always a nice help.In your position I would definitely recommend a sump, especially if you want to use MH lights (gives you another area to cool the water away from the heat of the bulb). I would always recommend a sump, I hate seeing the water level go down in the display. Plus in a small tank its real nice having the heater and the skimmer out of view, and you can run a fan across the water surface to help keep things cool when the lights are on.[/QUOTE]

The restriction here is your drain lines--and the flow is a factor of gravity. If using a one inch line then the max flow from it is 600 gal
So you don't need a heavy duty pump as a return from your sump.

I agree with the bigger the sump the better---you might consider using the 25 gal you have for the sump and purchasing a 50 or 60 gal display tank. The bigger the display tank the more forgiving it is for new reefers who are bound to make mistakes.

[Places to buy, try the vendor list here on RC. I also check out the used forums on RC and my local craigslist.

www.kijiji.com is also another great site. Look for a tank/live rock combination or complete setup. Far cheaper then going new

 

[WaterKeeper]

Browsing RC while at work? No wonder we have a finacial crisis.

If the bed is mainly LS then add it in about 4 stages. About an inch every 12 hours or so. There will be a sandstorm for a couple of day but it clears fast as LS particles tend to stick together and will settle fairly fast.

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14691638#post14691638 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by WaterKeeper
Browsing RC while at work? No wonder we have a finacial crisis.

If the bed is mainly LS then add it in about 4 stages. About an inch every 12 hours or so. There will be a sandstorm for a couple of day but it clears fast as LS particles tend to stick together and will settle fairly fast.

there is a way around the sand storm---get a hold of some 2 inch pvc pipe that is long enough to reach the bottom of your tank. Add a funel over the top end of the pvc and introduce the sand that way. By keeping the pipe very low to the bed you will hardly get a sand storm.

 

[Rjukan]

Hey cap, why did you pick apart my post instead of the original poster's? You could have answered his questions directly instead of critqueing my suggestions.

I was just having fun with you and michael since the thread went OT.

 

[PRDubois]

Welcome - Get in a local club and READ all the Waterkeepers articles at the begining of this section

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14694814#post14694814 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rjukan
Hey cap, why did you pick apart my post instead of the original poster's? You could have answered his questions directly instead of critqueing my suggestions.

I was just having fun with you and michael since the thread went OT.

Looking back I can see where you might think that-------
But honestly not my intent at all---I was just adding to your post since you did such a great job at answering the original poster.

I know you were having fun with Michael and I. If you noticed I jumped on your post and blamed Michael for the hijack--knowing he would be chuckling.

Apologies Pete And here's to a better understanding between us :beer:
Sincerely
Scott

 

[Michael]

pete the capns not like that, he was just having fun fella, no harm done,

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14695815#post14695815 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Michael
pete the capns not like that, he was just having fun fella, no harm done,

thanks Michael--but its still your fault:lol:

 

[Rjukan]

I wasn't suggesting the cap'n is like anything, was just curious why my post was disected like that LOL.

I'm very cautious with my advice and usually end up deleting a post after spending a lot of time composing it because I get self conscious (sp?) and don't want to say the wrong thing. Then seeing it cut up and analized made me feel bad for posting in the first place.

Thanks for clearing that up Scott, I appreciate how helpful you are on RC and don't want to be on your bad side lol. Maybe I'll just stick to reading and leave the advice to the pros

At any rate if the OP returns sorry your thread got a bit off topic, but at least you got some attention now

 

[WaterKeeper]

I never delete my bogus posts. I figure it just helps adds to the confusion and I want to do my part.

 

[Michael]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14696218#post14696218 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rjukan


Maybe I'll just stick to reading and leave the advice to the pros

no dont do that for heavens sake,we have been working hard the last few months trying to get members to post and join in, there was nothing wrong with your advice at all, just keep posting and dont think like that pete, your a valued member of the forum, honestly , we all play a part here

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14696598#post14696598 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Michael
no dont do that for heavens sake,we have been working hard the last few months trying to get members to post and join in, there was nothing wrong with your advice at all, just keep posting and dont think like that pete, your a valued member of the forum, honestly , we all play a part here

I second that one greatly---Pete I was adding to your posts because I thought you had done a good job---really that thing is done all the time and should be considered a sign of respect to the poster.

Please keep posting--and stop worrying about it :smokin: