Starting a 120 gal reef tank HELP!!!!!

jimmmmay

jimmmmay

New Member
Okay some of you guys have been helping me out with my 15 gal tall Eclipse Show tank i just got started, so far live rock and ls is doing good just waiting for a small power head and a new heater, also dual 18 inch lights going in instead of a single. Running a 03 blue actinic bulb 15 watt 420 nanometers and a trichromatic 6500 k bulb 15 watt. I know everyone says more light but my lfs said tell you guys he and many people from his store,customers, are successfully running reef tanks my size on this simple system. Now i am about to buy a 120 gal tank which will replace my current 75 i have with cichlids. My questions are about the setup on this tank. I was wondering if i should scrape my magnum 350 filter with the dual bio wheels? I have been thinking about a fluval or eheim or rena canister. Or can i run both my magnum and a second canister? Also wondering how much ls i should be using in a 120? Also what about lighting? This tank is coming with 2 24 inch flo's. Can i keep those and then just add another 48 inch 2 bulb flo? Will that be enough with the right bulbs? Do i need a protien skimmer right away on that size tank? Also was thinking about adding a Skilter Filter? Anyone using one of those? Sorry for so many questions but i am now gonna be doing 2 salt tanks at almost the same time !! I know i'm a newbie but i am very dedicated and i happened to have sold all my guitar stuff faster then i thought so i will go buy my tank and stand this week. I plan on every week or two buying everything i need, meanwhile get my 15 gal going. So my immediate purchases this week will be tank, stand and filter if you guys dont think i should use my magnum. If i can use my magnum i will go buy lights then. Please guys give any and all input. I want to be successful on both these tanks, its been a long time dream. Thanks.
 
andymi

andymi

Member
I hope the LFS you are talking about is not the same one that tried to tell me I could have clams with power compacts. There are specific lighting requirements these inverts and fish need. I too am in Michigan and found some very experience people who have never steered me wrong and I also found a few that are just out for money. If you are going to make this a reef tank I would not suggest using FLO's as they are not going to be sufficient. I would suggest at the minimum of VHO for a reef. My 70 gallon reef has 380watts of VHO lighting with an Ice Cap ballast and I dont think I have enough light, I definitely wouldnt be able to keep a maxima clam. Also, before you buy you and I should talk as I can point you to some places to get things cheaper. I just recently setup a 150 gallon FOWLR and so far I have like $800 into it completely setup. Of course you can go WAY cheaper, but I built my own stand out of Oak instead of pine, and bought some of the most expensive fish out there that I could find. Feel free to e-mail me at andy@glis.net and I will point you in the right direction. Not to mention if you are doing a reef you will not want to visit a typical LFS. Believe it or not the largest coral propogation facility in the US is located here in SE Michigan. Shoot me an e-mail and we can talk :)
--Andy
 
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