What MH setup is best?

deralps1

deralps1

New Member
What is the best 250W MH + Actinics setup to run if money is not a option for my forty gallon? I would like to buy a custom built all in one setup. Dim. 36W x 14H X 16D. I have done a little research, but I'm not sure what people like the most. I have seen the HQI vs. standard and think the HQI is sounds pretty nice. What combination K rating are the best for growing everything, and bringing out colors the best? Like I said, money is not important, but following the saying just because it is more expensive doesn't mean it's better I want to make sure I make the right purchase.
Also, I want to add DIY sump/refug. but will have to use an overflow box. I want a setup that will not lose siphon when power goes out. I would also like to basically just put live sand and rock in there along with my heaters and skimmer. If you guys could recommend all components necessary that would really help.(Best return pump, layout of pipes, if sump needs its own powerheads etc.)
To any ideas!
Sorry this is running long. I just want to make sure I do this right the first time. By the way, I am converting from a fish only tank to a reef.
Lastly I have about 3"-4" crushed coral substrate with a undergravel and two powerheads sucking through. I would like to convert to sand but not sure how to do I without tearing down whole tank.
I was thinking of removing about half to three quarters of the crushed coral but leaving the undergravel to create a plenum. I would take the power heads off the tubes coming from the undergravel and position them around the tank differently, but also leave the tubes for out-gasing. Then I would layer screen on the crushed coral and put the sand on top of that. Does anyone think this, or a version of this will work? I really don't want to tear my tank down and start over.
Again, sorry for the long post, but I like to have all my bases covered and would really like to go reef.
Thanks again for any help!
Deralps1
 
zanemoseley

zanemoseley

Active Member
I would go with 10k HQI MH bulbs supplemented with True Actinic PC bulbs, you're gonna want to make or buy a canopy to house those bulbs about 8" off the water
For the overflow I'd get a Lifereef overflow and a custom made acrylic sump/fuge with the fuge built into the sump, your sump does not need powerheads, for the return pump a mag would be a good cheap option or you could go with a velocity or Iwaki for a more expensive model, I'd also go with one or more sea swirls for returning the water, don't worry about the plumbing quite yet
I'd ditch ALL the Crushed coral and the undergravel plate and add a 2-3" bed of aragonite sand, do it right now instead of going back again later
in the future I'd break a large post like this into 3-4 separate posts because some people will open a thread like this and say hell no I'm not gonna read all that and not respond
 
deralps1

deralps1

New Member
Thanks man for responding! Good idea on breaking the length up of the post. Sorry everyone.
I thought that lighting setup was the best. Cool I will be building my own hood to. As far as the sump/refug. goes do you think it is worth is to buy a new one? It seem like I could build one easy. What do you think? Also does my return pump need to be rated for the same or greater GPH than the overflow box. It seems like the pump should be slightly more than the overflow do to the head presure. As far as the crushed coral goes, if I take it all out now and replace it with a half newS/half LS base will I lose all my current biological filtration and basically have to get rid of my fish and start from scratch? Also you don't recomend using a plenum like a monaco style? It seemed like the Monaco style was a good idea.
Thanks again for the help, and by the way Zane, you can pick anything up to $20.00 on this site and I will have a shipped to you for all your help. I know write a lot, so you deserve to get something for being cool enough to read it all and respond.
Thanks
DERALPS
 
zanemoseley

zanemoseley

Active Member
I'd suggest a acrylic sump/fuge combo, If you're handy with acrylic you could make one yourself or you could have one custom made and shipped to you.
For the return pump you need to find out how many feet of head pressure you're going to be using and how many 90 degree bends you'll use because they cause more head pressure also, after you know how many GPH your return pump will put out at that head pressure rating it should be less than your overflow rating. For example if after head pressure you have a pump that flows 500GPH you'd want a overflow that puts out AT LEAST 500GPH. You're also gonna want to put a ball valve on the return line so you can restrict the flow of your return pump if needed in case your overflow can't keep up with the pump.
As far as the crushed coral, how many fish do you currently have in your 40? How many lb of LR do you have in there now, what kind of filtration/skimmers are your running. Many people will agree crushed coral has no place in a reef tank, if your other biological filtration can sustain your system till your new sand bed is up and running I'd take all the CC out. One more thing if you plan on using LS on top of dry sand you may have to cure the LS before putting it in your system if there are fishes currently in the tank. I'd suggest about 50-60 total pounds of sand for about 2-3in of sand bed.
For the plenum, I haven't heard many things about people using them. Many of those designs originated in Europe and are mainly used there.
For the $20 don't worry about it, several people here including Kipass have helped me out several times, we're here to help and are glad to help. Don't hesitate if you have any questions either.
 
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