Need Advice On New Reef, Please!

fishphreak

fishphreak

Member
I am about to upgrade from my 29 gallon setup to a 75 gallon reef and I could really use some advise.
If anyone has any suggestions I would really apperciate it.
This is what I am planning on so far:
75 gallon overflow tank
29 gallon sump
2x 250 watt MH lighting (and 2 spare bulbs)
4x55 watt PC lighting (and 4 spare bulbs)
moon lights
Protein Skimmer (to be put in the sump)
2 Maxi Jet 400 power heads (beause I already have them)
Little Giant Pump (950 GPH at 4ft.)
100 GPD RO/DI unit
2x 50 gallon storage containers for the RO water
Does that sound ok?
Please let me know if I forgot anything or if there is anything I should change. I could really use the advise.
Thanks in advance,
Jessica
 
aidos

aidos

Member
Whats the benifit of running 20K MH lamps and not actinic Fluros, wont 20K bulbs have a noticable blue to them.
i think ur lighting should perfect.... wish it was my setup. so far so good i think everything look to be in order.
i'm also pretty sure that the sand and LR are on their way, but i would get atleast 100 pound, that will really give you something fatastic to play with.
I have a 70 Gallon tank....it the prefect size for a beginner reef....not to big so u can still clean and play around with the LR and aquascape and not to small.
Good luck... BTW some PC fans to blow the air across the water surface to minimize your water heating up because of the MH.
:happyfish
 
pyro

pyro

Active Member
I've seen a lot of people that use MH and suppliment it. I have no expirience with it, but I would reccommend you check out the thread under I beleive Equipment and DIY about VHO's being any better than PC lights.
How do you plan to cool your metal halide lights?
 
fishphreak

fishphreak

Member
Yeah I forgot about the timers. I have one on the 29g but it will only run one light so I will get to get something else.
I plan on moving the established substrate from the my 29 and put it in my sump so I don't have to reestablish the tank. And get new substrate for the tank itself.
I will also be moving the live rock from my 29 to the 75, I know I will need more but I was just going to move everything from the 29 to 75 and let it run for about a month or so to be sure all is going well before adding anything else. Or is that not the best way to do it?
I intend to fill the tank with as much LR and coral as I possibly can. I am going LPS and mushrooms to start, since I already have some in the 29 and they are doing well. If all continues to go well I want to try adding some SPS, specifically birdsnest and acropora.
I was thinking I could install some computer fans in the MH fixture. Would that work?
Adios, I am only able to get those lights because we are buying the parts and building our own light fixture. We can get everything needed to build the lights for approx. $300
Mobikobeyob, what is SCWD???
Thank you all so much!!,
Jessica
 
fishphreak

fishphreak

Member
the reason for the pc was for the actinic but also I was thinking if I went that route and ended up needing more lights for SPS I could just swap out the actinics and replace them with 10k bulbs. Is that not a good a idea?
I have to make sure all my bases are covered because my fiancee told me he was only buying the lights one time, and if I end up needing more then I am on my own. Since I don't work that could be a problem :)
Thanks again,
Jessica
 
mobikobeyob

mobikobeyob

Member
SCWD is a Switching Current Wavemaking Device. or something. I love mine it really mixes up the tank, but with the 75 you will also ned wave timers on the MJ's.
Here is a tip: Fill the new tank with new salt water, then add the rock to the tank. then once you have your aquascape all set, add the sand with a plastic cup by submerging the cup all the way then slowly pour the sand out. that way the sand will lock the rocks in place. and they won't tumble when your gobies and such start to burrow.
Mobi:D
 
saltydog

saltydog

Member
I would put your PC's on a separate timer. Run them earlier and later than your MH's. Makes an morning/evening kind of look. I run 2) 175 MH and 2) 110 VHO Actinics on my 75 with the above timing sequence.
Salty
 
fishphreak

fishphreak

Member
oh ok a wave maker. I am sure I can get that.
I was going to try to do this: have the pcs come on in the morning, have the MH come on about 2 hours after the pc.
Then have the MH go off a night about 2 hours before the pcs, then the pcs go off, then the moon lights come on.
Would that work or should I change the times between the lights?
I will try adding the rock and then the sand, that would be great if it will keep my rocks in place. Thanks for the idea.
Thanks again for all the help,
Jessica
 
dburr

dburr

Active Member
Ditch the SCWD. Once they jam their is no way to take them apart and clean them. And they will jam in 6 months or so.
Try a oceans motion. More pricy but prone to keep running.
My .02
 
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