Help with Light fixture choice

nickborowitz

nickborowitz

Member
So I made the rookie mistake of not having a QT tank and i am now in the process of cleaning up ich. I'm actually happy about it since none of my fish died and I had a small 29 gallon all in one kit, It gave me the ability to upgrade. I got a 45 gallon tank and threw all the live rock in it before I dosed the original tank with ich meds and lowered the salinity.
Now my question is I have a 45 gallon tall tank, 36" wide to be exact. What would be the best lighting to have, it came with a hood and a single 20,000 bulb but it just doesn't seem to glow like it should. I'm on a tight budget so I'm looking for quality, and a reasonable price. I'm going to check ---- when I get home, but any links, or info would be greatly appreciated!
I have attached a pic of my tank, not much yet as I am just starting it, the water is foggy because I just set it up an hour before and didn't have the filter going yet, wanted the sand to settle. The water is crystal clear now.
Thanks in advance!
 
bellabo

bellabo

Member
Just curious .....why is the therometer n the bottom of the tank. Heat rises. Or is there enough water circulation so the tank has a even temp throughout.
 
nickborowitz

nickborowitz

Member
Originally Posted by WangoTango
http:///forum/post/2736128
What are you planning on keeping?
-Justin
This is what I'm moving in there:
1 Clown Fish
1 Saddleback Clown
1 Dwarf Lion
2 Yellow tail damsels
1 six lined wrasse
1 snowflake eel
and a few hermit crabs and a few turbo snails
I'd like to get some coral in the future, but I want to get the tank steady and running for awhile first.
 
nickborowitz

nickborowitz

Member
Originally Posted by Bellabo
http:///forum/post/2736156
Just curious .....why is the therometer n the bottom of the tank. Heat rises. Or is there enough water circulation so the tank has a even temp throughout.

I actually have 3 thermometers. When I bought the tank thats where he had it, there is one on the top on the otherside of the tank from the heater, and one on the side of the tank where the heater is, but on the other side of that glass.
 
bgrae001

bgrae001

Member
Originally Posted by NickBorowitz
http:///forum/post/2736541
This is what I'm moving in there:
1 Clown Fish
1 Saddleback Clown
1 Dwarf Lion
2 Yellow tail damsels
1 six lined wrasse
1 snowflake eel
and a few hermit crabs and a few turbo snails
I'd like to get some coral in the future, but I want to get the tank steady and running for awhile first.
I suggest a 36" outer orbit MH/PC combo.
Are all these fish in the smaller tank? I notice that you are running seaclone skimmer. That skimmer is not efficient enough to handle that kind of bio load. You need to upgrade to a better skimmer. IMO the smallest tank that a snowflake should be kept in is a 50 gal.
 
nickborowitz

nickborowitz

Member
Originally Posted by bgrae001
http:///forum/post/2736552
I suggest a 36" outer orbit MH/PC combo.
Are all these fish in the smaller tank? I notice that you are running seaclone skimmer. That skimmer is not efficient enough to handle that kind of bio load. You need to upgrade to a better skimmer. IMO the smallest tank that a snowflake should be kept in is a 50 gal.
They are all in a 29 gallon right now. I have yet to have a problem with them. The eel is about 15inches long and very skinny, he lives inside one of the live rocks.
He actually for some reason gets along great with the damsel. He rubs his face on him and the damsel protects him.
 
aquaguy24

aquaguy24

Active Member
oh okay lol thought it was ur future fish list...if they all are getting along then thats great...as for the light fixture..HO T5 should do...nova extreme pro or TEK light fixture should do the trick..
 
nickborowitz

nickborowitz

Member
Originally Posted by bgrae001
http:///forum/post/2736552
I suggest a 36" outer orbit MH/PC combo.
Are all these fish in the smaller tank? I notice that you are running seaclone skimmer. That skimmer is not efficient enough to handle that kind of bio load. You need to upgrade to a better skimmer. IMO the smallest tank that a snowflake should be kept in is a 50 gal.
Thats a $400 light! I need to get something cheaper than that. It doesn't have to be the best, it just has to look nice.
Thanks for the advice though :)
 
maryg

maryg

Member
Originally Posted by NickBorowitz
http:///forum/post/2736608
Thats a $400 light! I need to get something cheaper than that. It doesn't have to be the best, it just has to look nice.
Thanks for the advice though :)
You can get the regular Nova Extreme T5's for around 80$. PM me and I will give you the info.
 
aquaguy24

aquaguy24

Active Member
since u want corals i'd go with nova extreme pro..has individual contuored reflectors so u can also keep high light craving corals..
 
nickborowitz

nickborowitz

Member
Originally Posted by WangoTango
http:///forum/post/2736626
Unfortunately lighting doesn't come cheap in this hobby. The Nova Pro is a decent budget fixture.
-Justin
Yeah I'm just not looking to spend that much. I'm not really into corals yet, and I doubt I'll get anything crazy, maybe just enough to cover a few rocks if that.
 
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