:::Questions:::

[N_V_S]

Hello everyone!

I am new to saltwater tanks and I just setup my first tank last week (listed below are the specs). I am in love with sps and my question is what kind of lighting do I need? I have been doing a lot of research and it sound like a Metal Halide Pendant is what I am thinking of purchasing, however since I have a 3” tank can I get away with one 250watt pendant or do I need two? With one 250w I am going to be at 6.25 watts per gallon, however the lighting area will only be 2” by 2” with a ½” area on each side not covered. If I use two 250watts MH I will be at 12.5 watts per gallon (is that a overkill?)

Looking to buy:
Sunlight Supply Reef Optix 3 Plus HQI pendant
IceCap 250 Watt Electronic Metal Halide/ HQI Ballast
IceCap Ballast Heatsink (Do I need this???)
250 Watt 20000K Metal Halide Bulb - Aqualine AB, Double Ended

or

PFO HQI 250 Watt Metal Halide Mini Pendant (Double-Ended)
IceCap 250 Watt Electronic Metal Halide/ HQI Ballast
PFO EL Ballast Box (for IceCap Metal Halide Ballast)
PFO / IceCap Metal Halide Converter Plug
250 Watt 20000K Metal Halide Bulb - Aqualine AB, Double Ended

 

[Letmegrow]

Consider T-5's,

- T-5s can grow SPS extremely well and keep their colors
- Cheaper than MH (usually)
- Less heat (140F compared to 375F+)
- Wide array of bulb combinations
- Replacing bulbs can be less than MH (with the right vendor)
- You can get a retrofit or a prebuilt fixture

If you get MH get a Luminarc III mini reflector. 19.5"x19.5"
I got the SLS 250w ballast, it can run SE or DE, all you have to do is change the mogul.

 

[N_V_S]

Sorry forgot the specs

Sorry forgot the specs

Main Tank
Clear-for-Life Acrylic Aquarium rectangle
40 Gallon (36Lx15Wx16H)

Sump
AGA (modified)
10 Gallon (20Lx10Wx12H)

CRP Aquatic S-Siphone Overflow
CS50 (300 GPH)

Return Pump
Rio 1700 (530 GPH)

In Tank Pump
Maxi-Jet 900 (230 GPH)

55 pound of LV
50 pound of LS

 

[N_V_S]

Pictures

Pictures

Full Tank shot

10G Sump

 

[Corn]

sunlight supply if going 2 250 then get a bluw wave 7 it rund 2-250's and i would not go with 20 K go with 14 K TMO

 

[Corn]

sorry that is run

 

[Wiskey]

You will need a skimmer, I don't see one listed. Also CA and ALK are very nessery things to test for and maintain with SPS.

I think you can get away with 1X250 fine, especially with a XM 10K bulb, but I personally would not like the uneven look.

I would go with 2X150W 10K bulbs and some type of atinic supps, preferably T5.

The T5 fixtures from SLS should not be compleatly ruled out, the 6X3 foot one would be plenty for you, but would lack glitter lines.

If you want to go 20K bulbs I would go 2X250

HTH,
Whiskey

 

[N_V_S]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7986650#post7986650 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Wiskey
You will need a skimmer, I don't see one listed. Also CA and ALK are very nessery things to test for and maintain with SPS.

I was thinking about getting the AquaC Remora/Remora Pro Protein Skimmer (hang on style) after I break in the tank. I am looking towards the hang on style because when I made the sump I chose to make a refugium. I do not have a lot of tools and I could not make another stand (so I could make a bigger sump). Also, when I was doing my research I did not know how to make a bubble trap. Do you think this is a good quality protein skimmer?

Also, I have been doing research on how to successfully grow sps and I found out three important things.

1. Water quality (Especially: Nitrate, CA, ALK, PHOSPHATE)
2. Lighting
3. Flow

Am I in the right direction?

 

[RichConley]

Dont waste your money on the AquaC. If you dont have space in the sump, buy one of the smaller recirculating needlewheel skimmers, and put it behind the tank. (They can be run external)

 

[N_V_S]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7987672#post7987672 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RichConley
Dont waste your money on the AquaC. If you dont have space in the sump, buy one of the smaller recirculating needlewheel skimmers, and put it behind the tank. (They can be run external)

Do have any example of the skimmers that can be run external? Is it hard to set up? Sorry for the newbie questions.

 

[N_V_S]

Also, what is a recirculating needlewheel?

 

[Wiskey]

AquaC is ok, but you should look into the ASM "g" line of skimmers, I think they are better not recerc though, and can't be run external, but they work well. There is a thread on the octopus skimmers in the filtration section, they are cheap, can be run external, and people seem to really like them, these are recerc.

You are on the right track for sure, for now for CA and ALK 2 part would be a cheap and effective method just dose the same amount daily depending on your needs. I shoot for Alk =9 DKH, and CA at 425 PPM, get Salifert test kits, there the only ones I trust.

I frankly think flow is more important than light, these creatures breath through their pylops, and depend on water to bring O2 to them, they can't move to get it.

HTH,
Whiskey

 

[N_V_S]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7988935#post7988935 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Wiskey
AquaC is ok, but you should look into the ASM "g" line of skimmers, I think they are better not recerc though, and can't be run external, but they work well. There is a thread on the octopus skimmers in the filtration section, they are cheap, can be run external, and people seem to really like them, these are recerc.

You are on the right track for sure, for now for CA and ALK 2 part would be a cheap and effective method just dose the same amount daily depending on your needs. I shoot for Alk =9 DKH, and CA at 425 PPM, get Salifert test kits, there the only ones I trust.

I frankly think flow is more important than light, these creatures breath through their pylops, and depend on water to bring O2 to them, they can't move to get it.

HTH,
Whiskey

Thank you for all your help!!!!!! I am going to look up the ASM "G" skimmer.