Upgrade what ??

[reeftanktime]

Hi I am a new member and also new to reef tanks.
My question is what should I upgrade? Lighting, more live-rock or get a skimmer, etc. Any suggestions are appreciated. The lighting is confusing me.

 

[radioactive]

I have a 35g tank and have 45 lbs of lr also I have a seaclone HOT skimmer that seems to work good . the more ls and lr you have should help on filtration ... make sure you do not have any dead spots in your tank , maxi jet powerheads seem to work well IMO .....

 

[sterling]

Your up grades depend on what you want to eventually keep in your tank.
Do you want fish only with live rock? Or are you going to want to try some soft corals or eventually going to want to get into more exotic SPS corals?
Answer these questions and I'm sure you'll get lots of free, good advice.

 

[reeftanktime]

I do want to add some soft corals eventualy. I bougth some rock from a lfs and there is a blue mushroom attached to it.

 

[waterwolf]

soft corals, your upgrade should consist of improved lighting(VHO or MH), more live rock, live sand, a sump, and a protein skimmer. Welcome to the board.

 

[reeftanktime]

So can I just change out the bulb in my standard light fixture or do I need to make a set-up?
How about the Prizm hang-on skimmer?
I do have live sand also.

 

[birdy]

If it were me I would get more LR now, then I would get a skimmer, I have a prizm I don't really like it that much, get a CPR or a Remora. I would get the lights last.

 

[crazy4reefs]

i agree with birdy, you dont have any corals yet so i would get more live rock, skimmer then lights. then corals. i had a prizm skimmer i didnt like it..hth

 

[waterwolf]

You cannot just change the bulb from a standard to VHO. They are different types of lighting and require different ballasts & endcaps. I never had a prizm but heard bad things about them. Berlin makes a good skimmer.

 

[timo]

Would a mushroom or a sponge endure cycling ?

 

[reeftanktime]

More rock it is.
Thanks for the help. A lfs has more coming in tomorrow from Marshall Islands. I suppose another few $$ is worth it. How long will my tank be o.k without a skimmer? I have now attached a photo.

 

[ty_05_f]

Sorry i don't see a picture??

 

[reeftanktime]

another try with picture.

 

[hhands361]

Yeah you do need to upgrade alot. THe lights i think are most important because you have a good amount of lr and ls and that lights will eventually change your tank permanently> When I upgraded from 0.5 watts per gallon to 5 watts per gallon, my tank just practically blossomed. just IMO