Questions from an experienced hobbyist (outdated) starting anew

drowningoceans

drowningoceans

Member
hey guys, i have some questions on lighting and filtration, all help would be appreciated:

1. Ok my first question has to do with filtration, Ive been looking into UV sterilizers and was wondering if they will hinder a reef tank, and if there are any red flags so to speak to be aware of?

2. my second question has to do with LED lighting, and im sure some of you have seen my other post before with the 20 folr tank, but im starting this 40 as a reef tank and all my research tells me 4-5 watts per gallon at 24in deep, and they never say anything about leds, basically im asking if there is a conversion of some sort or equivilency to wattage



thanks in advance for any help that can be provided
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
For #1:


UV can slightly reduce Diatoms. The claim of killing parasites is way overstated IMO. The typical UV just doesn't have the power to kill multicelled animals. They could be more effective if you buy a really oversized UV and slow the waterflow through it.

In my opinion, you can spend that money better elsewhere.

For #2:
I'm probably just as outdated as you. If I were to start up a new tank I would definitely go LED. This is a radical change in my opinion. At first I was very skeptical and needed to see results before changing my opinion. Well, The results are in and LED just makes the most sense financially.

I'm sure someone with more modern knowledge will chime in with a better answer.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
I too am outdated when it comes to lighting... My only concern with LEDs, and why I never went that route is that they are expensive, and apparently toss away when the lights begin to blink off one small bulb at a time. The exception would be for those who are handy enough (not me) to make their own LED light system, that way you can set it up to replace burned out bulbs.

IMO UV sterilizers are a waste of money.... they might help to reduce some hair algae spores, are useless on parasites, but kill off tiny critters that come out at night. The bad effects far outweigh the good.
 
silverado61

silverado61

Well-Known Member
I've been using LED's since day one so I can't offer any comparison's with MH or fluorescent lighting. I can, however, tell you my opinions on the benefits of LED's.
1. They create a fraction of the heat that MH's generate.
2. They use a fraction of electricity that MH's use.
3. For me, LED's penetrate the water better when used properly.
4. LED's create a shimmering effect which makes the tank look and feel more ocean like.
5. If it's a good quality LED system, each bulb (if you will) last for years.
6. The variations of white, blue and red LED's is amazing.
7. If it's a strong enough system, corals thrive.
I have an LED system that does "sun up", "sun down", "cloudy days" and "lightning" effects.
Just make sure you buy one that's specifically produced for a saltwater tank as these are sealed properly. Don't try to go cheap and get a freshwater system. Those will last about a week before it starts to go out on you.
Just my opinion.
Always learning.
 
drowningoceans

drowningoceans

Member
yea ive been looking into the Orbit Marine LED system heres the link to the manufacturers site tell me what you think and if they will be good enough for corals http://current-usa.com/aquarium-led-lights/orbit-marine/
 
drowningoceans

drowningoceans

Member
the uv system i though about getting was mainly to be used in the sump to help out, i didnt want it to be directly flowing back into the tank
 
silverado61

silverado61

Well-Known Member
That's the one I have. I'm going to put it on my 72g. It's good for low light corals but nothing light hungery. With what I plan for my tank it will be perfect though.
 
drowningoceans

drowningoceans

Member
Thanks guys for all the help, here is what im planning from start to finish now, any critiques would be greatly appreciated:
Equiptment:
1. green killing machine UV sterilizer
2. 3 bags bio active live sand
3. Orbit marine LED paired with my current LEDs from the 20 fowlr
4. Eshops reef sump
5. coralife needle wheel protein skimmer
6. phosban reactor
7. Wavemaker unit( any suggestions on a good one for a decent price would be great)
8. chiller
9. 30lbs base rock
10. 10+ lbs live rock cured( to seed base rock)
11. 2 maxijet 660 pumps and penquin power head( hooked to wm)
12.air pump
13. airstone

Fish
1. 1 lyretail Anthia
2. 3-4 banggai Cardinalfish
3. 2 percula clownfish
4. 2 royal grammas or firefish( still debating)
5. 1 sixline wrasse

Inverts
1. 1-5 ring cowry snails
2. 1-10 sand snails
3. 2 emerald crabs
4. 1-5 zebra hermit crabs
5. 1 fire shrimp or scarlet cleaner shrimp
6.1 serpent star

Corals
1. 1 clove polyp
2. 1 cabbage leather coral
3. 1 tree coral
4. 1-5 assorted color Zoas
5. some gorgonians possibly
6. (your input here for corals that would look great with the combo lol )
 
geridoc

geridoc

Well-Known Member
I would get rid of the UV sterilizer. They are only useful when several tanks share a common sump, as in a retail setting. Otherwise they don't do much for a single tank. Also, you don't need (and should avoid) the airstone and air pump. Take the money you save from those changes and get a better skimmer - the Coralife units don't get much respect around here. You don't say what return pump you will be using, but you should see if you can run it inline rather than submerged. If you can do so you can probably eliminate the chiller (freeing lots more money for a really great skimmer, or more expensive livestock, or a new car, even.)
 
drowningoceans

drowningoceans

Member
Thanks for the tip about the skimmer and return pump but the chiller isn't for that I don't have ac at my place so its a must have for me, ill deff get a better skimmer tho, bang guy any reason I should lower the ammount of banggai?
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Although they will shoal in the wild each will "claim" a sizeable area. If you buy 4 they will fight over area and you could lose all four of them to injury. Two males will have the same result. Two or more females can sometimes get along if there are no males but the best chance of success is with one male and one female.
 
drowningoceans

drowningoceans

Member
thanks for all the advice and help, anyone have a skimmer that they would guarantee im not up to date on skimmers as of this moment
 
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