Advice on setting up a reef tank

[lyman1415]

I'm looking to set up a 65 gallon reef tank but would like everyone's input on what I should use. I thinking of getting a Metal Halide Light but not sure what brand I should get a good price. And everything else that goes into a reef tank. Any advice will be great appreciated. Thanks everyone.

 

[gemmy]

Quote:
Originally Posted by lyman1415 http:///t/388918/advice-on-setting-up-a-reef-tank#post_3433097
I'm looking to set up a 65 gallon reef tank but would like everyone's input on what I should use. I thinking of getting a Metal Halide Light but not sure what brand I should get a good price. And everything else that goes into a reef tank. Any advice will be great appreciated. Thanks everyone.

My advice is to run while you still can.

IMO, the key to having a successful reef is to take your time and invest wisely (doesn't mean by the most expensive equipment).
Now, lighting is one of the most crucial pieces of a reef tank. In a 65 gallon tank, you have a lot of options. T-5's would be great for a softie/LPS tank and would be able to support some SPS. They run cooler than halides and there are a ton of bulb combos you can do to get the light to be the hue you want. Metal halides will allow you to be able to keep any corals you want and the halides give off a nice shimmer. Halides produce a ton of heat and eat electricity. The last choice is LED. LED's provide a nice shimmer, use much less electricity and run cooler. Initially they cost more, but over the years they will actually save you money since they use less electricity and you don't have to replace bulbs.

 

[lyman1415]

The only thing I don't like about the Halide is that they cost so much money in long run. I do like the LEDs but I've heard that your coral really don't much with them. I'm wondering if that is true or just myth. I was also think of just building a sump for everything. I've read only that it is very easy to do and works great.

 

[gemmy]

Quote:
Originally Posted by lyman1415 http:///t/388918/advice-on-setting-up-a-reef-tank#post_3433116
The only thing I don't like about the Halide is that they cost so much money in long run. I do like the LEDs but I've heard that your coral really don't much with them. I'm wondering if that is true or just myth. I was also think of just building a sump for everything. I've read only that it is very easy to do and works great.
A lot of people are having a ton of success with LED's. The key is either to either have a DIY fixture or a good (in this case expensive) fixture. The people on this site make sumps look like simple. You can always post a thread in the DIY section and the geniuses can help you with the sump build.

 

[lyman1415]

I never thought of building my own LEDs before. I would have no clue as what I should do.

 

[2quills]

Agree with, Gemmy. For what it costs to get a good 250W bulb, ballast and reflector you could pick up an Aqua Illuminations LED fixture these days. The old SOL fixtures are going for $400 a piece now and the new Pheonix fixture that they make is about $500 a piece. The only thing they're really lacking right now is a varied mix of colors. But they can grow the heck out of some coral, regardless. With some knowledge of basic electrical circuits you could build your own, design it the way you want and be able to fix/maintain it for cheap.
Sumps are easy to do and the way to go IMO. Better to go with a drilled tank. It's a cleaner look and more convenient than having to prime an external overflow. There's a member here name Al, who just got done doing a 65g build. He built his own stand, sump, drilled his tanks..etc. Always full of good ideas. https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/383256/upgrading-my-65-gallon-reef-sump-fuge

 

[tableforglasses]

There are a lot of really easy diy kits as far as lighting wether that it t-5 or something else. I have 2 475 watt metal halides and two t-5s in my 125 gal tank and I got retrofit kits for each that I built myself. You can also find good halide bulbs for fairly inexpensive if you look in the right places. If you want some links on where to get lights on the cheap let me know, but in my experience lighting is key. Also get a good skimmer, I have a reef octopus skimmer and it works like a champ.