Priorities for lights, skimmer, powerheads?

[musicgirl1217]

Just set up a 60 gallon last Friday (48x13x24). I currently have one powerhead running, placed in the center on the back of the tank. I need new lighting (just using a 65w pc right now), skimmer, and probably 2 more powerheads.

Any suggestions which should be purchased first? I should be able to get all within the next month - just need to stretch it out between two or three paydays.

 

[mnestroy]

Depends what you currently have in your tank, and what you want to.

1. Powerheads are cheap, if flow is an issue you dont need to invest 500 bux in a high end powerhead. I personaly think charging $500 for a little motor to blow water is a huge scam

2. Do you have a skimmer? The worst case is you can perform more water changes to make up for the lack of a skimmer or a poor one.

3. Lights... well depends what you have or want to have in your tank..

Its hard to say how to spend your money, pick up a cheap 20dollar powerhead, and then buy a skimmer, then lights.

 

[yaitisme]

I agree with mnestroy. If your lights are working with what you have in your new tank, save your money and purchase them last. Fix the flow first.

 

[jandlms]

65 watts over a 48 x 24 tank is pretty low for any photosynthetic organism. I would look at upgrading lights as soon as you determine what kind of corals you are going to keep. These lights MIGHT grow good coralline algae but thats about it.

 

[kass03]

Whats in the tank now as far as live rock and animals?

kass

 

[musicgirl1217]

The 65w is just temporary for now....hopefully not for long. There's about 30lbs LR, mushrooms, zoos, xenia (lots of it), and a small finger leather. And 2 damsels, some snails, and hermit crabs.

 

[Limpit]

I second, or third whatever, getting flow going first. I am going to be modding out some Maxi-jets to 1500 GPH this weekend and will post what I find out from doing so. IMO Maxi's are well built and cheap to buy and run. They also run real nice on my ho-made wavemaker.
Are you running a sump? Reason I ask is that sump run skimmers (IMO again) work way better than tank mounted ones.
Also, you may want to think about getting some more LR for the tank. I would use at least 1 pound per gallon. Just be sure to cure it first if it is uncured before putting it into the tank.

So my 2 1/2 cents worth I say:
Flow
Skimmer, (with sump if you can do it)
Lights

 

[yaitisme]

Limpit, did you purchase the Maxjet mod kit or are you doing the solid tube-RC prop-pvc cover mod? I have seen the videos of the moded Maxjets and they are pretty amazing!

What is the basics behind your ho-made wavemaker? Have you observed a shortened powerhead life-span with all the power cycling?

 

[kass03]

I pretty much agree with Limpet.

I would go rock (you need more for good bacteria to grow preferably cured so it don't cycle), flow,
and a skimmer and lights is really a toss up cuz you can go for a little while or longer without a skimmer if you do reg water changes but still nice to have a skimmer. So I guess I would go lights and skimmer.

kass

 

[Limpit]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8836090#post8836090 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by yaitisme
Limpit, did you purchase the Maxjet mod kit or are you doing the solid tube-RC prop-pvc cover mod? I have seen the videos of the moded Maxjets and they are pretty amazing!

What is the basics behind your ho-made wavemaker? Have you observed a shortened powerhead life-span with all the power cycling?

Im going to mod them with the kit. I like the look of the finished pump and I think they perform quite well from what I have seen.

As far as the wavemaker goes it is just a simple on delay off delay timer with a few electronics added. I have not had any failed Maxi's yet and they have been running on my wavemaker for 2 years now.

 

[BryanJ]

Check out the nano stream 1,189 gph for 96.00 in a low watt compact form.

 

[jandlms]

Check around a little on the nano stream. I think you can find them quite a bit cheaper. I've seen them in the $70 range but can't remeber where at this time. I will be ordering some after the first of the year.

 

[musicgirl1217]

Got the powerhead and skimmer today and it's up and running. Just need the light now......

 

[BryanJ]

Jon

There are 3 nano streams $61, $96 and $200. I'm planning on buying a few of these myself. one for the 55 for sure and not sure about how many for the 120 may go closed loop on that one.
The one for 200 is controllable the other 2 are not. Premium aquatics is carrying all 3.