What Am I Missing For My Reef Tank.

[monsinour]

you dont want to have a whirlpool in your tank. THe 2 on the ends I would point towards the middle and up to the surface for agitation. the ones on the back I would point towards the front and down. There are others here who have big tanks who can help you out better than I. Who knows, I could be completely wrong on this.

 

[saltfan]

Hmm. I have a 8' tank, with 4 Koralia 3's. all sitting towards mid upper section of back tank, pointing up. Moves the water fairly well.

 

[german shepherd]

i just got convinced to buy a vortech mp40 i thing it is a great addition to my tank and will allow me to remove all the others. i might just leave the koralia. so i have the water flow done.
Next item is the lighting i have 4 lamp 54w 4foot t5 light fixture will that be enough for the 180 gallon im going to stage the rock a foot in from each side and center the light. soft corals and mushrooms. mabe some hard corals if possiable.

 

[monsinour]

the new PH is a good one, but I am not sure it will be enough on its own.
Depending on the light bulbs you choose for your fixture, there really wont be much you cant keep pending its placement in the tank. Check out ATI bulbs.

 

[german shepherd]

so the 4 lamp 54w will be adequate lighting for 180 gallon

 

[monsinour]

well, based on most peeps math thats 216w for a 180g tank. again, depending on bulbs, and placement of coral in the tank, theres not much you cant have really.
Like if you get crappy bulbs and place a light starving coral on the sand bed, dont be suprised when it dies.
Or
If you get awesome bulbs and put a low light coral on the top of your rock formations, dont be suprised when it dies too.

 

[abeandlulu]

I was just in the same boat with you about powerheads. They are both good pumps but the vortechs can't be positioned so it is harder to direct you flow. I went with 2 6105 tunzes with a dual controller my coral LOVE it. JMO.