[PotRoast]

Hello,

I have been watching this forum for a few days and have finally decided to sign up and ask my question. I couldn't find any answers to my questions in previous posts so here it goes....

My setup:
250 gallon tank
65 gallon sump
(2) overflows

I am in the process of purchasing the equipment needed to run this tank. I am going to make this tank a FRESHWATER cichlid tank at first. With time and experience I want to eventually make this tank a FOWLR tank.

So I want to buy equip that I can use now and then eventually use in a FOWLR tank.

I have two 48" T5 strip light fixtures (216 watt) on hold.
question: Will this be enough light?

Pump: How much water will I need to move? I have a Little Giant inline pump picked out, but I fear it may be too big. (1225 gph @ 3ft : 145 watts)

Skimmer: I have that figured out.

Heater: How many watts? If I went 5 watt per gallon that is a 1000 watt heater!

Thanks in advance for any help you may have.

I realize I am in the wrong forum for a freshwater tank, but I figured the equipment issues are basically the same. Please don't flame me for being an idiot!

[SouthBayPhoto]

Welcome to Reefland, PotRoast!

I really don't think anyone here is going to flame you or think you're an idiot. We just don't work that way here.

I'm fairly new here, but have been reading a ton and watching posts, so I think I can help you with some of your questions. I'm sure the more experienced folks will help you even further.

I understand your tank is 250g, but what are the dims? Am I right to guess that it's 48" long if you have 48" lighting fixtures?

As for your lights...you say you have two 48" T5 strip lighting fixtures...but you say you have 216 watts....48" T5's are 54W each, so that would be 108 watts for "two". So, am I to guess properly that you really have four 48" T5's (total) over your tank? That would be 216 watts. As for "is that enough light?", it depends on what you want to have in your tank. If you are only going to do a FOWLR tank (as you specified in the post) and maybe soft corals, then you should be okay with that lighting. If you want to go with harder corals, I believe you should add two 48" T5's (total of 6) or overdrive your current four you have now.

As for the water to move...with a 1225 gph pump in a 250g tank, you're only going to be turning your tank over 4.9 times an hour...that is way on the low side. I believe it's suggested to be at least 10x turn over per hour. Some people with SPS corals are running at like 40x turn over per hour. So, no, I don't think the pump is too big...it's actually too small.

As for the heater...I'm curious what the answer is on that because I'm in a similar boat as you...if you go by the 5 watts per gallon rule, I'd need a 600 watt heater for my tank (90 + 30 sump). So, I'm waiting to see the answer from the experienced people on this one.

Anyway, I hope some of this helps you out.