Well I'm trying to set up a nano....

[The_Mutt]

but got a few questions. This is not really my first thread but I keep forgeting my usernames and passwords for everything. Anyway, I'm trying to set up a 20g high nano in my bedroom and got questions about lighting. I was looking around to see what is the best deal for my nano and noticed the "PFO HQI 150 Watt Metal Halide Mini Pendant (Double-Ended)" Light at "http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=PF2673" and was wondering is this good and would I need anything else? At first I was going to do the Power Compacts but really wanted Sps and the fact I heard some bad stuff.

Please don't try to mention whats my budget because last time I told about I got some of the most rude comments on. That was discouraging for me but I'm back up. I'm going to be adding uncured rock from liveaquaria and already got a DSB. Which is dead sand actually but hopefully will become full of life when the rock gets in and cures. Though that will be awhile. I already planned my fish list and its all gobies. I love those little weirdos.

So straight to the point:
1. Is this alright for my Sps nano reef? I would think so, its 150 watts.

I know I sound like a total n00b but for some reason I'm questioning this. Should I just settle with t-5 lighting or something?
I'll post more questions once they pop up in my little brain of mine and not clogg up the board.

 

[The_Mutt]

Bumpyness

 

[The_Mutt]

By the way, what is basic "amounts" of flow and heat and things like that? I don't know how many watts per gallon for the heater, and which powerheads I need. So, which heater, and powerhead(s) should I use?

 

[Henry22]

For a SPS reef, I would
-Ditch the 20 gallon high, a twenty long would work out alot better, because the lighting wouldnt have to penerate that deep, but a 20 high could work
- Ditch the DSB, and either go BB(barebottom) or SSB(shallow sand bed). Two reasons, a DSB isnt effective in nanos because of surface area and trapped gases in the sand, So I would go with maybe 1.5" and under or no sand at all. Is the rock your getting uncured or base? I believe uncured will eventually become live, but base rock will need the addtion of a piece or two of lice rock. I have base rock, but it was sold as live, it was just in boring shapes which is why it was considered base, but it wouldnt hurt to get a piece or two of live rock to help seed your uncured rock.
-Flow, for sps, I would think around 25-30 the tank volume, but dont quote me on that, others will have to chime in, I dont have any SPS, but you will need high flow, and you will also need flow that changes which is where my next point comes in
-DRILL YOUR TANK, you will not regret it, and have a sump. The sump can just be a ten gallon partitioned off with baffles and it can hold your protein skimmer, which you will probaly need for a SPS tank if you are having fish. Also, the return pump can be hooked up to a SCWD, which is a device with one intake and two returns or outtakes I geuss and it changes the flow, so its not constant which i very beneficial to all corals
-Lighting- I would go with a 24x4 T5 HO(high output) lighting system. This will be the same light output as a MH, maybe less but it will be plenty for a 20 long, with a high I would go 150MH but that will run the tank really hot and even with a sump and all your PH might cause you to buy a chiller(which run expensive), but back to the T5 HO, they have the same intensity(which matters more than wattage in most cases, ex PC vs T5 HO, even PC with more wattage is still weaker than a T5 HO) and that would be good for a twenty long.
Wow, thats long, hope that answered most of your qeustions.
Also, I have a 15 gallon tank, with a few frags of soft corals, and about 20lbs of rock which ran me 8 for fiji, and I have probaly spent around 650-750 dollers. With a SPS tank, your lighting and the additives you will need to add(calcium) and the frags which are expensive, you will probaly be looking to spend 1000. Now, its certainly possible to spend less if you bought someones setup but this hobby is expensive. I thouht I was just gonna do FOWLR, and then I got a light and it became a reef, and then I bought a skimmer, and so it just adds up. But I would look at the MH version of this tank, its really cool http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=93680&hl=Bluebastion
but now they have a 22 gallon nonrounded corner version. That tank is very cool.

 

[The_Mutt]

Well, I don't really have an extra tank to make it a sump and I can't drill the tank. My brother has a 20g Long but he probable isn't willing to trade tanks. So, what I am going to do is take some sand out and I think maybe upgrade to an Sps in the future. I think I'll stick to Lps and zoos. I really don't like mushrooms personally but will add a few anyway. Thanks and I will post later with more questions. I don't think I'm ready for Sps yet. I'll continue to browse lights but probable going to get the Mh lights and lots of fans. Or if I can find something else.

 

[Drewpdog]

i like the sun pod because you can pendant it and it and you get your lunars aswell