30 gallon reef on a budget...how would you do it???

[justchillin]

I'm gonna be helping to setup a 30 gal. reef tank and was just wondering what equipment you would suggest (money is a factor)...
heres what i'm thinking so far
45 lbs LR
100 lbs HD sand
Remora skimmer
2 maxijet 1200's
vho lights (how many watts/bulbs, etc)
150 watt heater
this is just off the top of my head so please respond with any thoughts you may have on the matter.
thanks,
mike

 

[burnnspy]

What is HD sand? Everything else looks good. Check out my web site to see my 29gal reef.
BurnNSpy

 

[@knight]

if you find the Southdown Tropical play sand in your local HD, would you please let me know the HD store #? i want to have some of it transferred to my local HD. They say all they need is a store # of a place that stocks it and they can truck it in for me. Its not avail in Oklahoma.

 

[@knight]

ive also heard if you go the HD route, you need to put down a layer of real live sand on top to seed the base sand.

 

[grouperhead]

i think HD is home depot? but im really not sure. later, bo

 

[fishfreek]

Yes, HD sand is home depot sand. Wish i could get my hands on some. None here in wisconsin.

 

[justchillin]

any suggestions on the lighting???

 

[coralbeauty]

There are some sites which have some good prices on MH and PC. Although, I truily perfer VHO to PC. When I purchased my VHO system, I really could not find a really good deal, so I went for the best an IceCap 660. In the long run they claim that your bulbs last longer and it uses less power so you save money. There is ----, but make sure you read carfully, some of what is there in the "Pet Section", IMO will not be effective in a reef.
Just another idea, I do not think you need to go to the expense of a remora skimmer. I have one, it is very good, but you could use a Red Sea Prism for a third less cost. You could also check out ssome site which sell used equipment. I purchased my skimmer that way and it has been great.
Good luck,
Connie