tank setup feedback

dam

Member
I posted this question under equipment earlier today with no feedback yet so I thought I would try here since it also falls under the newbie theme. Thanks for any feedback. Original post below:
My family treated me to a father's day gift of a new tank setup yesterday. We purchased a used setup from a LFS at a good price (person was moving). I have had a 42G and 15G for about 18 months but they have been relatively simply setups (both FOWLR, one w/ DSB). I would appreciate feedback on this tank's equipment setup so I can better gauge what I have to work with and where to go. Note that my previous setups included hang on (42G) or Eclipse style (15G) biofilters only - other equipment is new territory (although I have read about them and appreciate their need).
new setup:
72G bow front
Magnum 350 filter (under tank)
Emporer 400 hang on filter
Prizm hang on protein skimmer
Seaclone 100 protein skimmer
Tetratec UV.5 UV purifier (inline w/ magnum 350 lines)
JBJ Aqualighting (appears to be 48" Formosa Deluxe power compact 110 or 130W- need to check bulb type)
various power heads
The previous owner's setup made use of all of the above at once for a reef display tank. I mention this because some of the equipment appears redundant. (although can you ever have too good of water quality!) I realize the skimmers (and other items perhaps) may not be the preferred brands but it's what I will work with to start with.
My goal is to setup with DSB, LR, livestock to be determined with the intent to venture into some corals along with fish. Details of the setup will be based on opinions of the equipment capabilities as well as my preferences after researching. I figure I have some time to figure this out while I set things up, cycle, etc.
Thanks in advance.
Dave
 

leopard_babe

Active Member
I will not be very helpful, but I have a bow front, and I LOVE it. They make great reef tanks. A skimmer is very important to a tank. Why there are 2 I don't know. I have a wet/dry filter, so I don't know anything about the filter that you have. I think the lights that you have will need to be upgraded to keep a reef. I am not sure, I am working on getting new lights myself. Sorry I can't be much help. But you are on the right track. Live rock, livestock, dsb, and you found this message board. don't be afrais to ask. Sorry I couldn't be of more helo.
Leopard
 

sjt1107

Member
Yes, you may need to upgrade your lights. Corals like leathers, mushrooms, yellow polyps and xenias need moderate reef lighting. And stony corals such as Pavona, Goniopra and certain Acropora species need 250-400W.
I believer the LSF said moderate lighting was 3-4W/gal or in your case 225W and exceptional lighting was 5w/gal...375W+.
I have 265W PCs on my 90gal bowfront. So far all my corals are doing fine.
A good very informative book I would suggest buying is the Natural Reef Aquarium by John H. Tullock. I refer back to it constantly.
Good luck and have fun!
 
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