? about lighting and skimmer

[danb73]

I am new to the reef hobby and have a few questions. I currently have a 29G tank setup with about 40lbs of live rock. It has been setup for about 5 months and I have added a Coral Beauty, 2 tank raised Percula Clowns, a Skunk cleaner shrimp, 3 hermit crabs, and 3 snails. I have Normal Output lighting and an Emperor hang on filter without the bio wheels for filtration. OK so on to my questions...I would like to start adding Corals in the upcoming months and was wondering what the recommended lighting would be if I was looking to keep soft corals only. I have seen a few reasonably priced PC lights such as Coralife 2x65w or the Current USA 2x65w...would this get it done or should I be thinking T5's or MH lighting? I also wanted to know what people preferred for a skimmer...I need a hang on type and can't decide between a CPR bakpak, aqua c remora pro, or a coralife. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Nano Chris]

<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>

I would get the best lighting i could afford, i would go MH in case you decide to keep other corals, but if you cant afford much i think that will work for some soft corals.

I also recommend the Coralife Super Skimmer, i have it and it works well, you can have it as a hang on or in sump.

[stuccodude]

20 bucks says within 1 year your getting a bigger tank

[danb73]

I have already considered upgrading to a 55gal. The only thing holding me back is $$$. I have been taking things slow so my wife doesn't get rid of me. :rolleye1:

[MTB]

I would aim for t-5s or MH. I have PCs and it is not enough light.

For the skimmer either aqua c remora pro or the coralife. I hear they are both good skimmers.

[history1776]

I would recommend the Aqua C Remora skimmer.

[salty55]

is your tank a 29 long, or tall? the shallower the tank the less lighting you will need. with a little over 4 watts per gallon you should be fine with most softies. and even some lps.

i have the coralife ss and it works great! both are good lighting choices for pc's. i use the current 4x65 on a 55 gallon.

[Ricepicker]

PC is useless, just stay away from them.

get t5HO if you wanna save money...

as for the wife.. "it was only $20 honey" is all she needs to know...

[DetectiveTofu]

I have a CPR BAK-PAK skimmer and I am loving it. I get mostly wet skim mate, but the stuff that accumulates in the collection cup is gross and smells awful. I have heard a lot of good things about the Aqua Remora as well though!

[danb73]

Thank you all for your responses...I am still leaning toward PC's to try and save a little money, I hope they do the job.

[jakesgvr4]

I have a 29 gallon AGA with 130w PC retro. Not enough, I'm regreting not spending the little extra on the MH. Dont get me wrong, I like the color and everything, I would just like to open the door to other corals. As far as skimmer, I am also running the Remora and like it. Hope this helps.

[jakesgvr4]

Forgot to add. All I am keeping coral wise is Zoas, Toadstool, Frogspawn, Xenia and a Ric. All seem happy and healthy with the PC's.

[jthao]

imo, get the best your money will allow you. usually you're gonna want to upgrade. In your cast though, I think it's reasonable to go with pcs because you're with a 29g, which you'll probably upgrade anyways, then when you upgrade you're gonna upgrade lighting too. and lets just say you went with a halide unit right now, well a 150w halide isn't going to do you much good when you go to a 150g. at that point you won't want 4x150w mh, you'll probably do 2x250 with t5s or pcs. if you got the money, mh...... but if not, pcs should do fine for softies.

[Tennsquire]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9961141#post9961141 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by danb73
Thank you all for your responses...I am still leaning toward PC's to try and save a little money, I hope they do the job.

This is understandable, but don't be pennywise/poundfoolish with your equipment. I think the best piece of advice I ever got was to buy quality, upgradable equipment the first time. I only wish I had received this advice before I spent a king's ransom on cheap, crap equipment that now sits in several boxes in the garage.