not a rookie, but still need a little advice

[Parrothead]

Just scored a killer deal off craigslist, advertised as a 29 for $30, turns out to be a 45, have had a 14 gal oceanic bio-cube for almost 2 years, have for a long time kept fish only, the bio-cube is my first reef, I would dearly love to set the 45 up as a reef, seen some awesome pics of them. I am open to all suggestions regarding proper lighting and hang on the back skimmers(if needed?) and are halides really necessary? any and all advice is welcome and appreciated.

Thanks
Robert

[Reefland]

Hi Robert,

First, I would look into setting up a sump using a 10g for the sump and getting an overflow box. Then I would get a decent in sump skimmer and use something like a Mag5 for the return pump. For lighting, look for a decent T-5 setup, get some liverock and in time you'll be ready to rock!
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[Poseidon]

Is the tank 30" long? If so, a 4 bulb 24" T5 fixture would be great for most softies and LPS, but you would need a 6 bulb for corals at the bottom, and I don't think you have room over the top for that.

Warner Marine, AquaC, CPR, all make good hang on skimmers, but like Scott suggested, a sump would be a better choice, as it would allow you to use a larger skimmer. I would suggest a 15 gallon tank for the sump, so you have more room front to back for a larger skimmer.

[Parrothead]

Thanks Guys, Poseidon the tank is 36" long, 24" high, and 12 wide, sorry should have mentioned that. would this change the lighting requirements

[Poseidon]

The 12 wide is the limiting factor. That will limit you to a 4 bulb T5 system, which if you did an IceCap overdriven setup would be plenty for whatever you want to keep. If you do a Nova, or Tek fixture, then 4 bulbs may not be enough for SPS on the sandbed or for clams, but it would be fine for SPS in the top 1/2 of the tank.

[Parrothead]

Thanks Mike, will research and go from there, happy reefin' catch ya'all later

Thanks
Robert

[Poseidon]

You're welcome. Make sure to post some pictures of your progress.

[Parrothead]

Sorry to be such a pest, but how would power compacts work in this situation? found one with 2 36" 96 watt bulbs, last I read you wanted 1 - 3 watts per gallon, would this compact flor. be a suitable sub for the T-5 setup mentioned above. And yes Mike, I will be happy to post pics from start to finish, including cleaning the beast prior to set-up. Has alot of Hard water film from previous owner.


Thanks
Robert

[Poseidon]

Uh, NO. Power Compact are no where near as efficient as T5, so I would avoid that all together. Also, drop the 1-3 watts per gallon, as Watts Per Gallon is not a good way to figure out lighting needs at all. WPG fails to take into account the shape of the tank, a tank 14" tall will need less light then a tank 24" tall etc... You get the idea.

[Parrothead]

Yep, got the picture, also it saves me about 50 bucks, will go with the T5, Thanks Mike.

Thanks
Robert

[Poseidon]

No problem!

[Parrothead]

This is the setup I have been looking at, I believe this will work, please correct if wrong. Nova Extreme T-5 Fixtures w/Lunar Lights, has 4 bulbs, and 3 lunar lights, I have noticed on my bio-cube that these little lights are actually pretty cool.

Thank You
Robert

[Poseidon]

Yup, the Nova will work. The Tek light is a little better, if you can swing the extra money you will be happy you did.

[Parrothead]

Will have some pics of what I'm starting with here over the weekend, Please keep in mind I did buy this from someone else and had absolutely no control over what they kept in it or how they cared for it. I do have my work cut out for me though, look for the pics over the weekend.

[Parrothead]

Mike and/or Charlie,

Quick ? about lighting, Not that I'm in any hurrry to have this up and running;), but I just found a 36" Coralife Power Compact(96 watts x 2)set-up, I'm not sure if the guy is confused or if he is counting the loop that the pc's make, his ad states 2 white and 2 act. not sure, will stop by tommorrw and scope unit out, for 125.00 used, proably have to replace bulbs, would this work for my softies(wavies for Charlie) till I can afford the tek light setup that you both have recommended. If this would work, it would be a major step to getting the empty tank out of my office and in the living room where it belongs, I don't want to throw money away if this particular system is junk or would not support the start up of my reef, as always thank you both for all your knowledge and support.

Robert

[Parrothead]

Reefland
check prior post, please pass your thoughts back to me

Thanks
Robert

[Poseidon]

Hey Robert, I would save the cash, the Tek light isn't that much more then that fixture plus what you pay for bulbs.

[Parrothead]

got it Mike, just hard to sit everyday and look at a glass box, would love to see it up, but like Charlie says "it ain't built in a day", Thanks Brother

Thanks
Robert

[Poseidon]

No problem! It stinks to have an empty box, but it will cost more if you settle for less then ideal equipment, and then have to replace it. (I KNOW that from experience. ;) )

[Parrothead]

Thanks Mike, Just one other small favor for today, then I'll let you go bast as Charlie would put it, As a Moderator, Would you please ask everyone in all the forums to take a moment and remember what today is, I'm certain in one way or another all of us had a relative or distant relative involved in Pearl Harbour. Please ask that everyone say a little prayer for all those that were there and especially for those that never left.

Thank You Mike