Suggest a stocking plan

[chopper320]

I am re converting my 44gallon 24" high tank back into a reef. I will be using a 175w 10k mh supplemented by 2 75w VHO actinics. I really want to do some sort of biotope but I can't find a lot of info to help me out there so I might not go in that direction.

I would like to keep a few easier SPS at the top but I don't know if this is enough lighting. One coral I do plan on keeping is a toadstool. I don't know if my light is enough to support a yellow toadstool because I've heard that they require a bit more light but I really like them.

Anyway, I'm looking for all suggestions at this point. I know how to keep a reef tank but I'm just trying to think out the best stocking plan. I've never tried SPS before and I know this isn't the greatest lighting but I was hoping to keep maybe a montipora or two towards the top.

Thanks

 

[MiddletonMark]

What's the rest of the system set up like?

I started with a 58g tank and a 175 10k bulb ... and kept a wide variety of stony corals including Montipora, Acropora, and Pocillapora. With good water quality, some sort of food ... you can grow some great corals under 175's.

I do like my 250's, and for Acropora feel it's a little easier to have better growth/color with them ... but you then have to worry about overlighting stuff - while I'm happy with mine, it's no magic bullet. If you doubt, check out this TOTM:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-02/totm/index.php

You'll want to keep a good handle on nutrient levels, and IMO stock a little lighter for fish - but I was quite happy with 175's for a non-60% acro tank like I have now. Be sure to have a good reflector, IMO - it does a lot.

What are you doing for flow?
What other equipment [skimmer, etc] are you running?

The biotope tank concept is very interesting, and is something I'd love to discuss further.
But as dinner is ready, it'll have to be another day. Until tomorrow ...

 

[chopper320]

Hey, I should have included more info. I've got some experience running a reef tank and actually with a 175 w mh but I just want to do it differently this time. Before I had a toadstool, bubble coral, frogspawn and a bunch of zoo's and mushrooms including ricordia and everything did great.

I'm running a Bakpak II skimmer. My nitrates are undetectable and all other common testing levels are great. I haven't tested my PH or CA since I've had a fowlr going but I will be testing that b4 adding any corals. I used to dose B ionic and probably will again this time unless I find a better alternative for this size of tank.

For bioload, I have 2 perc clowns, 1 royal gramma and a striped damsel. I have a pretty decent cleanup crew with a mix of hermits and different snails. I have about 60lbs of live rock and a 3" sand bed that has a lot of life in it.

If you have any info on biotopes that you can share with me, I would be very interested. I'm having a lot of trouble find much info on the web. I really find that much more fascinating than just a random mix of corals.

Thanks.

 

[chopper320]

Forgot to add for flow, I'm using 3 Maxijet 1200's that seem to cover the tank with decent flow.

 

[chopper320]

Forgot to add for flow, I'm using 3 Maxijet 1200's that seem to cover the tank with decent flow.