I am wanting to start a reef/anemone tank

[Justler]

I currently have a 55 gal FO. I know that I need to get the nitrates down really low before I get any invertibrates. After I get a new car, i'll probably be setting up a new tank to make FO, and the reef tank in my old 55 gal that is already established. Would you guys choose vise versa? Currently on my 55 gal I have a 48 inch 40 watt actinct (1). What would you guys recommend when setting up a new tank for the new tank? could I keep any type of anemones or anything in my current tank?

[Elmo18]

Justler,

I'm gonna work your questions from last to first. Okay, in your current 55 gallon, you will NOT be able to keep anemones long term. A 40 watt 48inch NO fluorescent just doesn't cut it. Anemones require maybe 3+ watt/gallon. If it were me....I'd do both reef [img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img] , but then again, there are fish that I would like to keep that I can't because I have corals. Either way, you will need to get new lighting.

Regards and good luck,
Ilham [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

[Justler]

Ok, i'm going to build the stand with my neighbor most likely... so the lighting will probably mount in a custom hood... Which would be better Metal Halides or PCs for lighting (in other words, which would be cheaper? [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img])

[blue]

If you want to keep anemones you cant go cheap. I would say you need at leats 2-250 watt halides i would use iwaskis bulbs with these. I think 400 watt halides would be better. You can use your flourecent tube as your actinic. THe tank will need to be really mature befor ading any anemone. Incase you dont know the way to filter a reef is a DSB (deep sand bed) and live rock. HTH
[img]/ubb/flames.gif[/img]Blue[img]/ubb/flames.gif[/img]

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Think befor you speak or dont speak at all!!!

[srgtkoons]

Personally id not use the 55. If its the same dimensions as my freshwater 55. WHich is only 12 inches wide. I feel they make horrible reefs. Id reccomend somthing that is a little wider. It just makes thing alot easier to arrange the rockwork.

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I have the mind of a 5 year old and own a fire extinquisher you cant imagine the things i do.