Trying to finalize a new 54G setup.

[jrh]

I've been searching for some time now and I think I have it nailed down.
If anyone has any thoughts to try and steer me in a different direction please let me know. I've included the best pricing I can find too. Am I missing anything, what do you think?
All-Glass 54 gallon black reef ready corner $270
Black pine stand $240
Glass top $35
All-Glass MegaFlow 1 Sump $169
Coralife Turbo Twist 9W U/V $79
Quiet One 3000 $40
Coralife Super Skimmer $78
Coralife 30" Lunar Aqualight $137
I already own a heater that should work.
Tax $38
S/H $16
Total $1179
Down the road I plan to add a hanging 150W MH pendant, that's about it...

 

[sign guy]

that sump and light will not fit a 54 corner

 

[jrh]

All-glass claims that the sump will fit right on their website, so it should. Do you know of people having problems trying to fit one underneath?
As for the light, I was quoted a 30" standard dual strip fixture from local store for the 54g. So I just figured that any 30" dual strip would work.
Do I need to drop down to a 24"?
Maybe I should just go MH right off the bat. I just don't know enough about all the different options yet to make an educated purchase. All the different heat ranges, companies, styles, etc. make it a research in progress for me.

 

[bgrae001]

Originally Posted by JRH
All-glass claims that the sump will fit right on their website, so it should. Do you know of people having problems trying to fit one underneath?
As for the light, I was quoted a 30" standard dual strip fixture from local store for the 54g. So I just figured that any 30" dual strip would work.
Do I need to drop down to a 24"?
Maybe I should just go MH right off the bat. I just don't know enough about all the different options yet to make an educated purchase. All the different heat ranges, companies, styles, etc. make it a research in progress for me.
I have a 54 gal corner. It came with a 30" and a 24" srtip light. It was not enough light. I bought a 285w MH/PC combo it works great for the size. I have a w/d that came with the tank and I use a canister filter for chemical filtration only. I have a seaclone 100 in the w/d and a calcium reactor. It is very crowded under the stand. I hope this helps. When I get the money I'm going to ditch the w/d and set up a fuge. Let me know if you want pics.
Brian

 

[jrh]

I always want to see pics!
Which combo did you go with and how is it mounted? Do these metal halide's need to be up off the glass (hanging) or can they sit right on the glass top?
I'm thinking a 250W MH w/ Lunar lights is the direction I'm leaning now... instead of wasting money on a light I'll just want to upgrade in about 6 months.
Also how many GPH is your pump pushing? I was told around 600-700 was good for the 54G by guy and another said that was way too much. He claimed that over time the filter will naturally clog up a bit and there would be too much chance of overflowing my tank.

 

[grumpygils]

Originally Posted by bgrae001
I have a 54 gal corner. It came with a 30" and a 24" srtip light. It was not enough light. I bought a 285w MH/PC combo it works great for the size. I have a w/d that came with the tank and I use a canister filter for chemical filtration only. I have a seaclone 100 in the w/d and a calcium reactor. It is very crowded under the stand. I hope this helps. When I get the money I'm going to ditch the w/d and set up a fuge. Let me know if you want pics.
Brian

I have a corner 54 with Hood and 30 inch would not work with MHs I don't think. MH in the middle will not leave room. I put in 260 retro PCs under the hood with an Odysea 223W MH/PC on top of the hood throught a square I cut out for the moon lights and MH. Works and looks great. Yes, I know the Odysea sucks but I disconnected the PCs and just the MH shoots through the opening. All lighting was $300.
I think you said the 130 PC was $137. That is 2 Xs too much IMO.
I do love the corner 54.
Mc

 

[jrh]

Here's the place I found the PC light mentioned above. The dimensions are on the page if you scroll down a bit.
Could you tell me for certain whether or not it would fit our size tank?
*edit... 30" X 7-3/4" X 2-5/8"
I thought that was a decent price. If it's 2X too much, are you saying that I should look at the same light from a different store or look at different brands?
btw: your tank looks great!

 

[jrh]

Just a quick update. I did purchase the tank, stand and glass top today.
It should be in Tuesday!

 

[jrh]

I just found the flow rate for the overflow tank on the 54G. It's only 400gph. I was way over.
Now to find a pump...

 

[grumpygils]

Originally Posted by JRH
Here's the place I found the PC light mentioned above. The dimensions are on the page if you scroll down a bit.
Could you tell me for certain whether or not it would fit our size tank?
http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppro...aqualight.html
I thought that was a decent price. If it's 2X too much, are you saying that I should look at the same light from a different store or look at different brands?
btw: your tank looks great!
Shoot me an e-mail mcflylab@aol.com. Can't post other sites on SWF
Mc

 

[b-town]

Take a look at t5 tek 24 in. That should sit in the middle of the 54 tank. MH look great but put off to much heat and too much on the power bill, is what i've been reading on here.

 

[bgrae001]

Originally Posted by JRH
I always want to see pics!
Which combo did you go with and how is it mounted? Do these metal halide's need to be up off the glass (hanging) or can they sit right on the glass top?
I'm thinking a 250W MH w/ Lunar lights is the direction I'm leaning now... instead of wasting money on a light I'll just want to upgrade in about 6 months.
Also how many GPH is your pump pushing? I was told around 600-700 was good for the 54G by guy and another said that was way too much. He claimed that over time the filter will naturally clog up a bit and there would be too much chance of overflowing my tank.
I hung the mh/pc combo from the ceiling. It's 30" long and fits nicely. I'm using a a return pump that pushes 600 gal/hr. it works good but I could step it down because it causes the sand to blow all over and can cloud up my tank. I put a gate valve on it to reduce the flow. I still use the glass top to keep my fish from jumping but would like to change it to a grill top to let more light through. the glass gets real dirty and clouds up.

 

[jrh]

Well, I think I've pieced together a decent 1st reef tank, we'll see if I can keep things alive in it. :thinking:
The 54g black corner is already here, now I'm just waiting for the rest to arrive.
The changes I've made to the original list are...
Instead of the Quiet One 3000, I went with a Mag Drive 5
I couldn't find my old heater so I grabbed a 200W Visi-therm Stealth
And last, but not least I went with a 20" Current USA SunPod 250W HQI MH
Thanks for all the help.

 

[bgrae001]

Originally Posted by JRH
Well, I think I've pieced together a decent 1st reef tank, we'll see if I can keep things alive in it. :thinking:
The 54g black corner is already here, now I'm just waiting for the rest to arrive.
The changes I've made to the original list are...
Instead of the Quiet One 3000, I went with a Mag Drive 5
I couldn't find my old heater so I grabbed a 200W Visi-therm Stealth
And last, but not least I went with a 20" Current USA SunPod 250W HQI MH
Thanks for all the help.

Sounds like your off to a good start