outside filtration and light question

saltylake

saltylake

Member
Hello everyone!!!!
I am trying to find out if anyone here uses Phosguard and how often they change it? Also for a 55 GL how much do you use?
Also I was at the LFS and I noticed something simliar to Phosguard, but the little balls were smaller and yellow. The guy at the fish store says that it removes all immpurities from the tank quickly, similair to phosguard...
Does anyone have any info on this. Also does anyone here use Carbon along with Phosguard and how long do you leave it in.
Does anyone here use those little packages of Phosguard that are mixed with carbon by Seachem??? Thanks guys.
Also I am interested in making a lighting change. I currently have two PC bulbs, one white one blue in a 55 gallon reef. I wanted to add more light. What should I do if I am on a budget and I don't want to build a new canopy?
Another set of PC??? 10,000.... OR one MH in the middle between the PC's.... What bulb do you reccommend? ( blue spectrum?)
Also does anyone here have a name of a good pump that isn't to expensive??? I want to remove the system I am currently using for flow (3 large powerheads)
Thank you ladies and gentlemen and you input is greatly appreciated
 
saltylake

saltylake

Member
please ladies and gentlemen try to hold back all the information you guys are sharing with me!!!!!One at a time!!!
 
broomer5

broomer5

Active Member
Hi Saltylake
One possible reason you are not getting many replies is you've asked an awful lot of questions in your original post.
Many times it's better to address each question in a single post, with the topic/titled spelled out for all to see. Those that would like to contribute will - those that care not to or don't have advise will not.
I'll try my best to answer your questions as I see them.
I'm going to have to throw some Q's back at you though.
****************************************************
Q1: I am trying to find out if anyone here uses Phosguard and how often they change it?
A1: I've used it but not lately. Follow directions on the container.
Q2: Also for a 55 GL how much do you use?
A2: Follow directions on the container.
Q3: Also I was at the LFS and I noticed something simliar to Phosguard, but the little balls were smaller and yellow. The guy at the fish store says that it removes all immpurities from the tank quickly, similair to phosguard...
Does anyone have any info on this.
A3: I don't know what it is from your description - a product name would help.
Q4: Also does anyone here use Carbon along with Phosguard and how long do you leave it in.
A4: No, I only run activated carbon a couple times a month and discard it shortly thereafter.
Q5: Does anyone here use those little packages of Phosguard that are mixed with carbon by Seachem???
A5: No
Q6: Also I am interested in making a lighting change. I currently have two PC bulbs, one white one blue in a 55 gallon reef. I wanted to add more light. What should I do if I am on a budget and I don't want to build a new canopy?
A6: You're lighting upgrade will be limited to what your canopy will hold safely, both in physical room and heat concerns. Having more information regarding your existing canopy would be helpful, as well as your tank size and what livestock you plan to keep.
Q7: Another set of PC???
A7: Possibly
Q8: 10,000
A8: Possibly
Q9: OR one MH in the middle between the PC's
A9: Possibly - tell us about your canopy and coral selection.
Q10: What bulb do you reccommend?
A10: It all depends, what do you want to keep, and what do you want your tank to "look" like you your eye
Q11: ( blue spectrum?)
A:11 Possibly
Q12 Also does anyone here have a name of a good pump that isn't to expensive??? I want to remove the system I am currently using for flow (3 large powerheads)
A:12 What size tank, in sump submersible or external pump ? What do you currently have, what is your goal ?
 
saltylake

saltylake

Member
thank you broomer!!!!
I have a reef tank with mushrooms, hammers, fine grapes, blastes, green star polyps,(all for over 2 yrs). I am interested in stonies. I wanted to know if i had the correct lighting for the corals I have. (1 set of PC's) my canopy will hold another set of PC's or one or two MH..... but the budget is restraining me.
I have a wet dry with a built in skimmer. I am using 4 power heads throughout the tank and in the wet dry(2) to circulate water. I am interested in placing a new pump to remove alot of the headaches and tubing.
I have one purple tang, one flame angel and one maroon clown.
Is having the one MH better than another set of PC's??? What MH bulb would you get, if you like that blue look.
Thank you!!!!!
 
broomer5

broomer5

Active Member
I'm certainly not the guy to be answering sps / stoney coral questions - but I'll give you what I can.
In your 55, you didn't mention what wattage and spectrum your PC's are yet.
If the corals you listed are doing fine, growing and looking good - I'd say you doing a good job.
If they look bad, are dying or not much growth - you may be lacking in the light department.
If you have the room in the canopy - and you want to get into more light demanding corals - I would have to lean towards adding a couple metal halides - as opposed to adding more pc lamps.
Depending on buget, and space in the hood - a couple of 175 ( or 250 ) watt MH with your existing PC ( actinics ) would be great.
If you can't swing the cost right now - doubling your PC bulbs/ballast may get you closer to where you want to be - but you may still fall short for sps and other hard corals.
What exactly to you have over your tank now
PC watts ?
Acinitcs ? Daylights ? 50/50's ?
What's your budget - if I may ask.
 
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