What else do I need for an sps dominant?

BPro32

BPro32

New member
I am planning an sps dominant in a 29g biocube (approx. 20x16x20 display area) and here is the equipment I currently have:

6x24w t5 w/ icecap reflectors and uvl bulbs
Vortech mp10
Deltec MCE300
BRS 5 stage RO/DI (not sure what salt I'll be using yet)
Reefkeeper Elite
Salifert CA, ALK, and MAG test kits

I have several other powerheads I can use (knano 425, k2, tunze 6045) if you guys think I need them. I also am looking for a pair of dosing pumps and working on an auto top off. Can you guys think of any other recommended equipment?
 
You will need to place the mp10 on the side glass, pick a side dont really matter. The mp10 will be fine by itself trust me ,you will not need another power head in there. Instead of T5 I would go with a 20k 150w MH pendant, JMO. For a Bio Cube sps tank everthing else looks good. As for salts I recommend Tropic Marin Pro Reef or H2Ocean for sps. Oh some handy thing to have for any tank is an ATO to keep SG stable and for a nano tank keeping sps a doser for 2 part.
 
allsps40 said:
You will need to place the mp10 on the side glass, pick a side dont really matter. The mp10 will be fine by itself trust me ,you will not need another power head in there. Instead of T5 I would go with a 20k 150w MH pendant, JMO. For a Bio Cube sps tank everthing else looks good. As for salts I recommend Tropic Marin Pro Reef or H2Ocean for sps. Oh some handy thing to have for any tank is an ATO to keep SG stable and for a nano tank keeping sps a doser for 2 part.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the response.. I prefer t5's over mh for the color combos I can put together with them and the fact that they put out less heat. I am c
looking into a 2 part doser and an ato so I'm hoping to get those before I get the tank running. I currently have my sps in a 10g holding tank until I can get together all the pieces for the biocube.
 
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i would do the ATO as a priority (i used auto topoff.com), unless you are going to be around to add top off water each day. you can get dosing pumps from BRS or TB Aquatics when you are tired of manually dosing.
1 MP10 should be plenty.
 
divewsharks said:
i would do the ATO as a priority (i used auto topoff.com), unless you are going to be around to add top off water each day. you can get dosing pumps from BRS or TB Aquatics when you are tired of manually dosing.
1 MP10 should be plenty.
Click to expand...

I have the ato on order and I believe I have dosing pumps lined up also. Should I set up a phosban/carbon reactor or can I get away with just sticking a media bag in the back chamber?
 
Just started a 27G cube few weeks ago and trust me the ATO is the most important thing for smaller tanks.
I've seen the salinity jump from 1.026 to 1.028 in 2-3 days because of evaporation. Never saw anysalinity fluctuation like this on my 150 even after having 2-3 gallon evaporate before I top off...
 
Gfo in a reactor works a lot better than in a bag, that is because you are forcing water thru it. If you have a spot when water is pushing thru the bag it will work, just maybe not as efficiently as the reactor. I don't normally run carbon.
In my BC, I have a bag of gfo in the first chamber, so the water overflows onto it, and then onto the next chamber.
 
divewsharks said:
Gfo in a reactor works a lot better than in a bag, that is because you are forcing water thru it. If you have a spot when water is pushing thru the bag it will work, just maybe not as efficiently as the reactor. I don't normally run carbon.
In my BC, I have a bag of gfo in the first chamber, so the water overflows onto it, and then onto the next chamber.
Click to expand...

I'll probably start with it just in the back chamber and move to a reactor if I decide it isn't doing its job. I don't want too many pumps and hoses in the tank if I don't need them.
 
Bigmike said:
what about cooling? is it inside a consistant ambient air room temp? In tanks that small over heating is always a concern.
Click to expand...

I have a fan I can set up but I live near the beach in San Diego and it rarely gets above 85. Is there are more efficient way?
 
BPro32 said:
I have the ato on order and I believe I have dosing pumps lined up also. Should I set up a phosban/carbon reactor or can I get away with just sticking a media bag in the back chamber?
Click to expand...
Im my 6 gallon Nano Cube I just run carbon and GFO in a media bag.
 
What would be better:

-6x24w t5 individual icecap reflectors/workhorse ballasts/uvl bulbs

-150w Phoenix 14k, coralife fixture with 2x24w t5 individual icecap reflectors/workhorse ballasts/uvl bulbs
 
BPro32 said:
What would be better:

-6x24w t5 individual icecap reflectors/workhorse ballasts/uvl bulbs

-150w Phoenix 14k, coralife fixture with 2x24w t5 individual icecap reflectors/workhorse ballasts/uvl bulbs
Click to expand...

Personal preference, youl'll be able to grow whatever you want under either.
However, I'm not the biggest fan of UVL bulbs (minus the super actinic) as far as color goes. I prefer ATI and KZ bulbs.
 
divewsharks said:
Personal preference, youl'll be able to grow whatever you want under either.
However, I'm not the biggest fan of UVL bulbs (minus the super actinic) as far as color goes. I prefer ATI and KZ bulbs.
Click to expand...

UVL are available locally for me at a great price otherwise I would agree and go with all ATI.

Now I've been debating between 5 or 6 bulbs... I think I'll be able to get away with 5 but I want the potential of having sps and clams on the bottom of the tank so I'm leaning towards going with 6.
 
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