newbie reefer... setup questions

[tymon]

you can cycle the tank with green chromis they are very hardy or clownfish.

 

[ashlerbam]

you can cycle the tank with green chromis they are very hardy or clownfish.

IMO cycling a tank with a fish is not really the best way to go around it. Buy some base rock from BRS or macro rocks. Get a couple pieces of small live rock from your LFS. Add in a table shrimp and wait the 4-6 weeks(or when your water tests read 0 for ammonia and nitirite) to let the bacteria set in and take hold. Then start with a clean up crew. A couple weeks after to make sure all if ok on those then add a fish.

 

[mwl76]

I would recommend something with a little more power. Like 4 bulb T5HO lighting. Even a cheap fish need it fixture with upgraded bulbs will allow for better growth and more variety of corals. Also I would get the biggest Aquaclear filter you can stick on the back of the tank. Which should be the 110. And modify it into a refugium where you can stick your heater and all the macro algae. So the display is cleaner looking. You can find info on aquaclear refugiums all over just have to google search this site or other reef sites.

how bout this for lighting?

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+13822+21969&pcatid=21969

 

[mwl76]

or this?

https://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+13822+21461&pcatid=21461

 

[ashlerbam]

how bout this for lighting?

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+13822+21969&pcatid=21969

I would recommend something with more bulbs. It will get you a better combo for color preference and more PAR to keep more light demanding corals. If you buy something like...http://www.fishneedit.com/new-light.html and then replace the bulbs with higher quality manufacturers. ATI/KZ like bulbs...http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/24w-24in-12000k-ati-aquablue-special-t5-ho-fluorescent-bulb.html in a combo you would like to look at. It would produce far more options down the line for your reef.

 

[mwl76]

what about the second post, the 4 bulb one? i would like to keep a low budget without cutting corners

 

[mwl76]

what about the second, 4 bulb, one?

 

[ashlerbam]

Also another option for lighting if you want to lower power costs. You might want to look to LED. Boost LED http://www.boostled.com/ has some par 30 bulbs. You could run 2 over your tank and get nice coverage if you can raise them over your tank appropriately.

 

[ashlerbam]

The wave point would allow for the same thing as the fish need it fixture. I was unsure of your budget so was just giving the lower cost options first

 

[mwl76]

i have decided i will probably buy a coralife 4 bulb, 96 watt light as it is on sale