Reef Tank (Take Two)

[Lil' Reefette]

Hey guys, long time no chat. I'm getting back into the reef tank hobby once again and this time I want to do it right. I've been reading up on this forum and have found much valuable information about new technology since I've last visited. I used to have a successfully healthy 55 gal reef tank before but did not have all of the best equiptment. My chiller was loud, the tank had a siphon over flow which broke multiple times and spilled water all over my room, and everything was just cluttered and badly put together. This time I want to do it right and want the experts' approval before purchasing. Here's my list, please feel free to let me know which items are inadequate or just plain junk.

My Tank:

75 gal. 48x18x21
Stand 30" tall

My Corals:

All the regulars plus SPS's and a couple of Maxima Clams

Equiptment:

Eheim 1260 pump
IceCap 48" Retrofit: 4-54W T5 HO Fluorescents
Arctica 1/4 HP chiller
Tunze 9010 Protein Skimmer

Any info and suggestions are much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

:D

[nano7joy]

Dont know about the maxima without halides . I know i have seen others under T5's and pleanty of PC but may just might wannna look into that some more

[Lil' Reefette]

So I should look into getting halides. Thanks Nano, any comments about the rest of my equiptment?

[Craig Lambert]

Do you need a chiller with that setup? I wouldn't think so.

[Lil' Reefette]

Average temperatures where I live (condo with poor ventilation) are quite hot, 85+ deg. (condo) average. After all of the equiptment, I'm sure it will go up past 90 deg.? Maybe I should get a 1/10 or 1/5 HP instead? Thanks for the feedback Craig.

[Lpsfanatic338]

For the T-5 I would look into getting either a 6 or 8 bulb setup. That will put you at about the 4 to 6 watts per gallon.

[nano7joy]

i would for the sps and maximas could it be done with out ,"maybe" but it certainly can be with halides

[Lil' Reefette]

Thanks a bunch for helping guys, I really appreciate it.

So as of right now, the only recommended changes to my selections above are:

1. Smaller chiller
2. Metal Halides and not T5s

Any other objections or recommendations?

[rockindacheeks]

they are saying either go with halides or more T5s. I dont think 4 would be enough. 6 should do the trick. Personally Im a metal halide fan, but T5's are doable for you...

[McCrary]

Your chiller is fine, especially if your inside temp cranks up to 90. T5 lighting has good penetration and some think it is on par with halides (some think its better at penetration). You may want to throw a couple more bulbs up there for a little more light, but you don't have a tall tank so keeping clams and SPS should be a cake walk. Not to mention that Maximas are not completely dependent on light (like croceas), they will take nutrients such as phosphate and nitrate from the water. What do you have for flow? A couple small Tunze or some modded Maxi's may be a good investment.

[Lil' Reefette]

Ok, after more reading and input from members, here's the latest lighting update. 2x250W MH (icecap and ushio bulbs), and I'm debating over 1 or 2 VHO actinic blues (icecap).

Should I get 1 or 2? What do you guys think?

Thanks!

[mg426]

What Color MH bulbs are you going to run. 10K 14K 20K ????

[Icefire]

T5HO are way enought, 4x54W should be good, 6x prefered.

[Lil' Reefette]

mg426, i was thinking of getting 10K Ushios or Germans.

And Icefire, if I did get 6 54W T5s, I would get 4 aquasun 10000Ks and 2 actinics?

It just seems like people are saying, the BEST option neglecting power and price would be Metal Halides and VHOs with actinics. I just want something that I can keep forever and not have to upgrade in the future.

[HDAlien]

I'm not sure the Eheim 1260 will give you sufficient flow for SPS. I also agree with the many others who've said halides.

[msuzuki126]

Definitely go T5, a 6x54 retro is easily enough for SPS and clams. Also, you don't have to worry about the heat issues from the MHs.

[Lil' Reefette]

HDAlien, yes, I forgot to mention that I'm also getting 2 Tunze Turbelle Stream 6060s.

Really seems like people are torn between T5s and MHs.

[mg426]

I have seen T5s at a few LFS they look pretty good to me, However I am hooked on the shimmer lines you get with MH. Cant get them any other way.

[kfowler]

I think you'll see more MH comments b\c more people of used them. Seems like the people who have tried T5's have had great success with them. With how hot you say your condo is I'd seriously consider the T5's. No use adding extra heat to your place.