Time to start up my 46euro

[coolfish5]

I'm ready to get started setting up my 46 euro.

Currently it has only a single 36"NO strip on it.
Looking for lighting options. I like T5's, but don't know much about brands and such. Zooquatic only had 2xT5 strips, but those have prety flat reflectors, if 2 of those strips would be sufficient I may go that way. I am not opposed to building a hood and mounting a retro kit, or piecing it together (but would need advice on what/where to buy)

The goal, be able to keep a clam, and maybe some corals, I definetly like acros, but again I'm a noob when it comes to these things.

Need some opinions weither or not to drill and sump. It is a perfecto tank, and as far as I understand, the bottom is tempered but not the back. I have a couple HOB filters (Aquaclear 300's) that I could use to cycle it.

If anyone has any used parts, lights or anything else I might need up for sale, let me know.

The tank has a glass top, and a factory wood stand.

Thanks,
John

 

[manderx]

Re: Time to start up my 46euro

I like T5's, but don't know much about brands and such. Zooquatic only had 2xT5 strips, but those have prety flat reflectors, if 2 of those strips would be sufficient I may go that way.

they are only normal output, not the high output that most people use in reefing. that plus the no reflector issue makes them pretty much worthless for reefing.

I am not opposed to building a hood and mounting a retro kit, or piecing it together (but would need advice on what/where to buy)

last i checked, it's about $75 per bulb for the retro kits (bulbs/ballast/endcaps/reflectors) to piece something together. a tek fixture is $250 + $100 for bulbs.

The goal, be able to keep a clam, and maybe some corals,

clam is going to be the big light hog, so a system to do that will do corals easily. i'd go 4 T5s or 2 175w MH.

definetly like acros, but again I'm a noob when it comes to these things.

no worries, i always give one or two acros out to the newbies to try out and get their feet wet with them before dropping any money on them. i can't think of any newbies in the club who's tried acros lately that have had any real problems with them.

Need some opinions weither or not to drill and sump.

i greatly prefer drilling, but the glass on that tank is *really* thin if i remember. not a problem during drilling, but really easy to crack from any strain on the bulkhead. measure it and see if it's at least 1/4" thick. any thinner and i don't think i'd risk it.

If anyone has any used parts, lights or anything else I might need up for sale, let me know.

i believe one of the roanoke guys (doc's 69) has some MHs for sale.

-matt

 

[Doc's69]

that would be right, I will not be ready to sell the double 400's w/ the lumenarc IIIs just yet, but do have a brand new 250W single MH system from cool touch, reflector, new 15K bulb (never fired), ballast, several more thing if anyone is intrested let me know by pm, after seeing a local tank the other day I think I'm going to go T 5's on my new tank, and oh yeah I do have a sngle 175 MH that can be had pretting cheap