stage 1 small tank - stage 2 large tank after house mods.

[Dukeman]

First tank is my learning tank after a 10yr gap.
Last tank was 800l DT and 300l sump...260G

Small tank setup will last up to 2yrs until after house mods then new 800l tank setup. This will be on the opposite wall to where the 800l DT will go. I can not wait 2yrs..... so small tank first!

I want the small tank to grow SPS / LPS and a few fish... not asking to much am I! These will go in to my large tank eventually.

I have my old sump 300l (1000 x 600 x 500mm)
I have a robo- tank control system- to build DIY.. first thing to build.
Large bin of coral rock from my old sump.
Thats it.

I can get a Metal Halide 150w for $50 need a new bulb
What size tank is this suitable for?

I can get a rimless fish tank 50x 45x 35 (72 litres) - $50 is this suitable for the MH 150w?

Plan is to use my old sump to help with keep the tank stable, total water volume would be around 220l / 60G - based on 50% water volume of sump.

Should I buy a skimmer suitable for my large tank or will it over skim and be too big? Am looking at a bubble magus for the small tank... cheap and seem ok from the reviews I have read.

Long term I will build a modern sump design - same size as my current sump for the large tank.

I do not want to over spend on my small tank setup for obvious reasons, and it will be good as a quarantine tank when setting up the large tank... then I will sell the small setup complete - except the Robo-tank control system.

- is the MH 150w suitable?
- I can get a larger DT secondhand for the first setup and secondhand LED lights if the 150 MH is no good, but I know MH lights as that is what my last tank had.
- I will be using NSW - I did the same with my last tank - no problem.

Anyone got any advise?
Thanks

 

[Dukeman]

Oh to add
Synergy over flow and bean animal return for the small tank - again to learn... I like this combo for DT water skimming and overflow behind the tank.

Robo-tank controller will have dosing pumps, PH monitor, auto top up / water change etc etc

 

[wsboyette]

It seems to me that a 150W MH may be a bit powerful for the 72 liter if the tank is a long low one (like a 20L). Just my thinking, others may say different.... I had a 150W MH on a 24" deep 45 gallon tank and it was plenty bright for that depth of water. Now if your tank is 24" high (600mm) 150 Watts may be just right.

 

[Dukeman]

Yea - I was thinking that.
small tank I am looking at is on 350mm deep - 20G

Might have to go with a 24 x 24 x24 - the 150W would suit that?
Problem is I have to have this tank made - $380 compared to $50.
20 x 20 x 20 is $288 NZ so that is cheaper... still not $50.

 

[wsboyette]

Yea - I was thinking that.
small tank I am looking at is on 350mm deep - 20G

Might have to go with a 24 x 24 x24 - the 150W would suit that?
Problem is I have to have this tank made - $380 compared to $50.
20 x 20 x 20 is $288 NZ so that is cheaper... still not $50.

Well, you could always put a scrim or filter on the light if it is too bright; only way to tell for sure is to try it. $380 is way too much to spend for a chunk of glass !

 

[Sk8r]

You might consider springing for a Radion which can be adjusted re output and then used as part of an interconnected light array on your future tank, but MH will grow euphyllias and montis like a bandit.