New to Forum :)

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dustybottoms

Guest
Hey guys! Long time reader, first time poster! I have been interested in SWF for quite some time now, but a recent trip to New Zealand hooked me. My brother is a marine biologist and invited me to stay with him for a week in NZ and I must say, wow. I talked with him and told him I would love to partake in this new hobby and he gave me a 55 gallon tank (nice guy). So now I have decided to go full throttle on this new venture. I would like to have a reef tank with maybe a few fish. I would like to replicate the magnificient "forrests" that my brother allowed me to see in his tanks. Thanks guys for such a great forum!! My first question is this, I am curious about lighting and if there are any inexpensive ways to create suitable lighting for a tank. I am big into DIY projects (as I am sure many of you are) The goal wattage is 250 (is this enough to support the tank) Thanks guys!! I look forward to any responses.
Chandler
 
ryebread

ryebread

Active Member
As far as the lighting goes.......
It will depend a lot upon what you plan to keep. There are many corals that have very different lighting needs to keep them happy and you will have to research what type of corals you plan to keep.
250w on a 55g tank is a little bit on the low side for certain corals but, you could easily keep lots of others.
DIY is a big plus in this hobby for sure and you should take a look over at the DIY forum as well.
Good luck Chandler. :)
 
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dustybottoms

Guest
Kgrimes,
Thats what I have been doing ever since my return from NZ :) I intend to take this very very slow and learn from others. OT, you say youre a minister? I met John Piper a few months ago, are you familliar with his work? Thanks for the reply! :)
 
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dustybottoms

Guest
KG, He's an authority on CS Lewis and wrote "Desiring God" I highly reccommend the book. Thanks again for the response!
 
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dustybottoms

Guest
Thanks for the reply guys! Quick question, my tank will be located near a window which recieves an abundance of natural sunlight, will this be good for a reef tank? Also, when lights are on the tank, should they be on for 12 hours and off for 12 (or whatever variation) to mimic the sun or should they stay on 24/7? Thanks guys!!
BTW: Go dawgs! :)
 
ryebread

ryebread

Active Member
Sunlight can help in some controlled situations but, for most of us it causes problems. You will want to either put a background or paint a background onto the back of your tank to try to block out the natural sunlight. Natural sunlight more often then not will create lots of unwanted algaes in the tank that can be a bare to get rid of.
12 hours is a little long for running the lights in most situations.......again the algae thing. You will find out what works best for you. I personally run my lights for about 9 hours a day............940w of light. ;)
 
nm reef

nm reef

Active Member

Another big...."Welcome to the Board!".
Always great to see new members asking questions first.
Sounds to me like you've begun to develope a plan and thats a good thing.
For your reading pleasure check out this link...Reefkeeping 101 ...it addresses several questions you've already mentioned above. Keep in mind there is practically nothing set in stone in this hobby...and patience is a definite virtue!
Keep us posted as you develope your system and don't hesitate to ask questions....the members here simply love to answer!!!!:cool:
NMREEF website
nmreef@cox.net
 
cb

cb

Member
Welcome to the board I to am new to saltwater I have had my tank set up since October 2002. I was lucky and a friend of mine was tearing down her 55g and setting up a 30g so she gave me the extra rock sand and water so I didn't have to really cycle. :D
 
fishkiller

fishkiller

Active Member
Dusty- Yeah man, we're gonna tear em up this season! WOOF WOOF!!! lol BTW-Ex-nae on the unlight-sae, it grows mad algae...ae...
 
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dustybottoms

Guest
Fishkiller,
Actually, i have to be honesty and say, "WAR EAGLE!" but I root for uga when AU isnt playing ;) Thanks for the advise
 
overanalyzer

overanalyzer

Active Member
first - welcome
second - check out NM's link he posted.
Third - check out the DIY section - the responses come from a lot of experienced people
fourth - ahem GO BUCKEYES
fifth - go Jayhawks
Huge College football fan - but unfortunately my old home state school is rocking but the college that has thrown a few degrees my way is still - uhm lacking ....
 
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bambalamb

Guest
Welcome to the board.
You have found a site that will give you a wealth of great information. If I can give one piece of advice, it is to use the "search" forum a lot. Many questions can be answered by searching old posts. And, by the way, Overanalyzer,
GO BUCKS!!!
 
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