[hcp28]

Hey guys. I know it's been a long time since I posted anything ubt replies, but well I haven't had a fish tank set up in a while. I finally made my way to New York City and I've settled down nicely. Since everything is going along nicely I have decided to set up a nano reef. Here is what I'm planning on using, just give me any ideas or suggestions you may have.

12 Gal bowfront acrylic tank (may be a 15gal hex back if I can find one)
CPR 300 gph hang on back overflow.
Power Compact 20" Actinic71k/Daylight10k retrofit kit from marinedepot.com
I'm building my own hood.
10 gal sump/refugium with baffels.
15-16 lbs of LR
3 inches of sand in the main tank and around 3-4 in the fuge
heaters, thermometers, hydrometer, all that jazz.

Now my question is what kind of return should I get for something like this? I'm thinking of a RIO 250 attached to a spray bar, but I can't decide. Also how thick would the tubing be on something like that? 1" - 1 1/2" ?

Since I've been out of it so long what is the consensus on salt to use? I used to use IO but I know there are always different opinions on what is the best type to use.

Do you think this is enough light for softies and LPS? I am pretty sure it is, but would like some opinions. Thanks a lot.

Henry

[zhenya]

Henry,

Where in NYC are you? I have a canopy already made that would be good enough to house a single 70W medium base MH bulb and couple of PC's.
If you go with the acrylic tank you could probably drill a hole in the back with a bulkhead for drainage instead of using CPR box(read safer).

As far as salt, I've read good things about Oceanic salt and CrystalSea bio-mix as well.

Oh, as far as return pump,I'd think you could get away with a MAG-5 and maybe trottle it back some but I wouldn't. Also, you could probably make a spray bar out of some ridgid tubing.1/2 inch would do I would think.

[Reefland]

I think adding a DSB in the main tank and in a refugium is a bit counter-productive; each working in competition with the other. I would go for a layer of sand in the display for decoration and then the DSB in teh refugium if it were me.

[hcp28]

Originally Posted by zhenya

Henry,

Where in NYC are you? I have a canopy already made that would be good enough to house a single 70W medium base MH bulb and couple of PC's.
If you go with the acrylic tank you could probably drill a hole in the back with a bulkhead for drainage instead of using CPR box(read safer).

As far as salt, I've read good things about Oceanic salt and CrystalSea bio-mix as well.

Oh, as far as return pump,I'd think you could get away with a MAG-5 and maybe trottle it back some but I wouldn't. Also, you could probably make a spray bar out of some ridgid tubing.1/2 inch would do I would think.

Thanks Gene. I live in Manhattan in the 120s on the west side right now. Do you think a MH would be too much for a tank that size though?

I was thinking of drilling it myself but didn't want to ruin a perfectly good tank you know? I am still looking around for a good supply store around here do you know of any? There is a Petco down the street but I'd like to avoid it if I could.

I was also thinking the same thing for the return about 1/2 to 3/4" would be fine. I'm thinking a 200-250 gph return would be more than enough. I'll look into the Mag-5 thanks.

Scott that sounds like a good idea as well. I wouldn't want the DSB covering up the little realestate that is in the main tank.

thanks guys.
Henry

[zhenya]

Originally Posted by hcp28

Thanks Gene. I live in Manhattan in the 120s on the west side right now. Do you think a MH would be too much for a tank that size though?

I was thinking of drilling it myself but didn't want to ruin a perfectly good tank you know? I am still looking around for a good supply store around here do you know of any? There is a Petco down the street but I'd like to avoid it if I could.

I was also thinking the same thing for the return about 1/2 to 3/4" would be fine. I'm thinking a 200-250 gph return would be more than enough. I'll look into the Mag-5 thanks.

Scott that sounds like a good idea as well. I wouldn't want the DSB covering up the little realestate that is in the main tank.

thanks guys.
Henry

Hi Henry,

Unfortunately I'm not familiar with the City enough to recommend any stores(read I never been in one in the City ). Secondly, most of the food for my tanks are home made except for the silversides and cyclop-eeze. If you can make a trip down to Jersey I can hook you up with that canopy and I have a store here that has plenty of food for fish and even frozen cyclop-eeze
I'm close enough to train station(metro park)that I could pick you up if you don't have a car. I know that most of the folks in the City do not have cars- a very smart idea
I think drilling a hole in the back with the holesaw wouldn't be a big deal,especially in the acrylic.
Oh,almost forgot, 70W MH bulb would be just fine for that size tank and would allow you to keep most of the LPS and softies. I have seen it on the 5.5 gallon nano and it looked great, for my liking I would slap a 150 DE bulb on it