setting up a tank

[crb10]

ok so i have a 4x2x2 120 gallon tank. i will be making the filter a 40 gallon refugium. My question is what lighting do you guys recommend, as well as what protein skimmer if one at all? and ...
well basically what would you use if someone gave you a 120 with the filter i mentioned and nothing else? I really love stony corals and would like to be successful with whatever ones i put in.
Thanks a ton..

 

[crb10]

oh also what are your guys opinions on phosban reactors? are they worth the money?

 

[Purple Haze]

two 250w pendants will work nicely.

As far as skimmer, the biggest you can afford. You failed to make mention of where the skimmer will be housed. If it is in-sump, the largest needlewheel you can fit in there. If it is remote, a nice Beckett with appropriately sized pressure pump will work nicely.

 

[crb10]

thanks... will the 2-250's be all the light im going to need? my dad has supplemental actinic lighting on his setups but is it necessary?
Also what about calcium reactor... or should i just use kalkwasser drip?

 

[Wiskey]

I think the suplemental lighting is mainly for you (atinics and such) if you got 2, 250W XM 10K in Lumanark reflectors you would have tuns of light, and great growth, especially if you kept those reflectors close to the water's surface.

If you like the blue look, you can add some 4 foot VHO Superatinics to the mix to make your greens really pop.

HTH,
Whiskey

 

[crb10]

ok so with that being said where can i get those lights for the best price?

 

[thereefgeek]

I'm using a Phosban Reactor filled with carbon pellets. Seems to work great, but I should probably run another one with Phosphate media