The $1000 question....

[CraigG]

The tax return came in and I have alloted just about $1000-$1200 towards my tank for lighting/skimmer.

I am slowly piecing my 65g (36x18x24) tank and was curious as to what people would suggest for options.

I would like to run a mixed reef, so I would like something powerful enough to handle SPS without issue but something where I wouldn't have to hide my softies under edges even when they are near the sand.

I would prefer the look of halides for the shimmer, though T5's seem to be getting favored more and more nowadays. I would love an HQI/T5 for supplement setup, the colors are great and I would like the flexibility of being able to dawn/dusk during lighting schedules.

I am very handy (Just rewired the whole room actually) so a DIY kit would be fine as well if that would save me cash over a fixture.

As for the skimmer I wouldn't mind getting something overkill, though I would like to keep the footprint 11.5x12" or under. My cabinet also has a maximum height of 25" so keep that in mind for removing the skimmer cup.

Any information is greatly appreciated.

[jlynn427]

i am in the process of setting up the same size tank. i have decided to go with (6) t-5's. I am also using a an asm g-3 as a skimmer.

[joncat24]

I also, am setting up the same tank. I went with a nw 150 octopus for the skimmer, building my own acrylic sump, using 2 tunze 6045's for flow along with a eheim 1250 for a return pump.
Lighting is where I am stumped. I am actually leaning towards the Odyssea 36" 630 watt fixture with 250's and pc actinics. It is either that or a sunpod 36"
Let us know what you go with and post some pics along the way.
I am starting my stand tomorrow, I was gonna do it today but got snowed in last night.(blizzard 08)

[heyfredyourhat]

I would think that you can put your money into a overkill skimmer. Your setting up a 65g, everyone knows that we always want bigger tanks, so get a bigger skimmer that can maybe one day be used on your next larger tank. And also with lights MH are pretty decent, but eventually LED's will be the way to go...But do your research and what ever you buy is going to be better than nothing. Just my 2 cents.

[kdblove_99]

Skimmer, I would defiently get a DAS EX 1

[CraigG]

The DAS is one of the knockoff pumps right? I think the footprint is too big for my sump. :[

[Almondsaz]

I have a 70 gal reef and bought a Tunze 9015 (bit of overkill) but knew that I wanted to upgrade at some time. I just upgraded to a 125 so glad I spent the money once. Also, I like the plug n play effect as well as the small footprint.

[CraigG]

The 9015 has a very small footprint in comparison to models rated at similar ratings. I will keep that in mind. It's also shorter then most.

[luke33]

A das would be a great choice for this tank.

[kdblove_99]

it fits in my sump 12.5x13 3/4

[CraigG]

Ah my limits are seriously 12"x12", I guess that rules that out =[

[mcliffy2]

I would go with T5s personally on that sized tank, it will keep heat down and I think you get used to not having the shimmer, but that is personal taste. I'd go for an ati powermodule or fauna marin solaris (http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=28_418&products_id=2361)

for the skimmer, if you want overkill and are handy, why not build a little cabinet to sit next to the stand and house an external skimmer? the octo pro 250 would be a great "overkill" skimmer.

Buying both of those would put you at 1100.

[CraigG]

I really like the ATI fixture, but is it worth more then the Fauna for $200+ more?

And for the skimmer the 200 has a footprint that will fit in my sump, the 250 is too large. The tank is in a corner of a room that has furniture next to it, no real room other then the stands room underneath.

[hahnmeister]

You could do a T5 retrofit from Reefgeek... 6x39 would be perfect... Icecap SLR reflectors and spec T5 ballasts. That should leave you with enough money left over for something nice as far as a skimmer goes. An ATB HOB (400lph) would be fine.

[chadfarmer]

i had a 58 (yours is one inch taller)

a 6 bulb t5 was too much light even hung at 8 inches

i ran 4 bulbs and has a 6 bulb fixture

[CraigG]

I think I would be better off with the 6 bulb fixture. I would hate to get the 4 bulb only to be disappointed and wish I upgraded. Depending on reflectors I can fit 8 bulbs technically, though that may be a bit overkill.

[CraigG]

Saw a local friends setup:

retrofit 4x39 T5s (Overdriven with icecap 660's) along with 2x150w MH 14k+ Phoenix.

The color was great and I don't think there would be any issue as to what he could keep in it. Setup cost around $800-850 when all was said and done. Hmmm. Very nice setup IMO, I may go that route, and I have to money sitting, ready to buy, HELP! haha

[j7x7]

A good skimmer for a 65gallon for the money would be one of the ASM skimmers. As a DIY type you can then have fun with the mesh mod and such. For lighting consider a 250 double ended running a 20K XM. For complete light coverage you could use supplemental lighting of your choice (VHO, T5, PC). If you run just a single pendant you would probably have some shadowed areas on the ends.

[CraigG]

A single 250 over the center? I have a center brace but I'm guessing the reflector would help minimize a shadow cast right in the center of the tank?

Hmm a single 250w with 4 T5s for supplemental lighting.

Sounds like a plan.

Looking into the ASM skimmers, I will report back.

[CraigG]

Also, the G-3 skimmer (Sedra 5000( has a footprint that will fit, and the height is at 25", factoring in the extra bit of height it will be raised from gives me exactly 25 3/4" of space with the skimmer height of 25". How much room is needed to get the collection cup off?

[j7x7]

Sorry about the center brace. Last time I looked at a 65 they were open with no brace. If this is the plastic band brace I would offset slightly so the light doesn't strike dead center on the brace. If it is a glass center brace be sure to routinely clean the glass to prevent light blockage.

[CraigG]

No it is a plastic black brace. I'm worried about the lighting looking off. I would want the lighting symmetrical.

[chadfarmer]

2 mh or t5s

a single MH will cast a shadow no matter what reflector you use


if you overdrive be careful (the bulbs get very hot)

i would skim the ASM look at the swc skimmer and the new octopus skimmer

[jwither1]

I have used t5s and compacs with built in metal halide and a 65 gal is deep i would go with the compacs. i think that they are alot beter than t5s

[kvosstra]

anyone use an outerorbit fixture? 2X250 or 2X150 with 4 39W T5 and moon lights? These are a bit pricy - but will certainly give you some nice lights.

[sgarron]

I had one on my 65 and now have one on my 180. Nice choice, no complaints.

http://www.petmountain.com/product/light-fixtures/512004/36-150w-hqi-4x39w-1071-b.html

[reeformadness]

I second a T-5 retrofit with an icecap ballast. Octopus 150NW will fit as well as the MSX160.

[CraigG]

The 6-bulb retro-fit from reefgeek seems to be a favored system. I did kind of want the shimmer from halides but I am thinking I can easily live without it. It is also a bit cheaper that route and allows me to get a better skimmer or to use that money elsewhere.

[sanababit]

Hey greg, dont forget about the heat issue, since MH is a more intense light than t-5 then it will create a bit more heat, depending on the weather you have over there i would suggest getting a chiller too.

i was going to MH but found the ATI powermodule, i bought the 6x54w and was impressed on how much light goes into my tank now, on the fixture specs it says you can keep sps up to a 90 gal tank 30" deep, hope this helps you decide and good luck on your new tank.

sana

[pitbull250r]

I am in the same boat as a lot of you with the center brace on the 65 gallon. But i was looking on eBay & saw this 36" 630 dual halide (130206579008) But i don't know anything about it. So has anyone owned one? If not i am going with the 6x39 t5.

[CraigG]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12109213#post12109213 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pitbull250r
I am in the same boat as a lot of you with the center brace on the 65 gallon. But i was looking on eBay & saw this 36" 630 dual halide (130206579008) But i don't know anything about it. So has anyone owned one? If not i am going with the 6x39 t5.

I am honestly going to go with the 6x39 reefgeek retrofit that drives the bulbs at 60w.

[pitbull250r]

What makes them go to 60 watts. I might just go with the 630 watt & mod it. I want to have the most growth. But will a 6x39 pushed to 60 watts be enough?

[CraigG]

The icecap ballast puts out more power then the normal 39w, depending on what ballast and how many bulbs you are using.

[pitbull250r]

What ballast & t5 are you using?

[CraigG]

I haven't purchased it yet, I ended up spending this money on a hotel night stay in Manhattan and taking my girlie to a Broadway show for her birthday. So the lights are on pause for a couple weeks haha

This is the setup I will be ordering as soon as I am ready...

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/IceCap/SLR_Retrofit_Kits/36_inch__6x39W_SLR_T5_Very_High-Output_Retrofit_Kit_w!_Bulbs_by_IceCap

[ReefRockerLive]

If I were you I'd get this (http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=28_418&products_id=2361) fixture since it is already built and ready to go. IMO, if your overdriving bulbs you may as well buy a MH fixture since they will be putting out noticeably more heat than the normally driven T5 bulbs. If you overdrive the T5 bulbs, make sure you properly cool them to increase bulb life. Regardless you will still get less life out of them. I think you'll be fine with the 6 bulb Fauna Marin fixture, I have one and can keep any coral alive without a problem.

[moprint]

I would get an ATI Powermodule 6x39 for $740 and an MSX160 for $300. Right on the money and the ATI is an awesmoe looking fixture and I like an open tank. Just my 2 cents.

[mcliffy2]

i would get the fauna marin 6x39 over the retro - its the same price and the FM fixtures are high quality, on par with the ATI powermodule. The advantage of FM and ATI is they can achieve the same PAR as an overdriven icecap, without overdriving because they use active cooling. So you get the same amount of light for the same $$$ up front (in the case of the FM), but use less energy, generate less heat, and your bulbs last longer.

[ReefRockerLive]

CraigG, I just noticed your not too far from me. If you want to see what an UltraSolaris T5 fixture looks like in person, let me know. Also, will the lighting be in a canopy? If so, then there is no need to spend the extra money on the ATI fixture since the difference in price for that and the FM is only for looks and you won't be seeing that since it would be in a canopy.

[CraigG]

Ah I have the rest of this week off I may have to come check it out! It will not be in a canopy but I do have the ability to make a small aluminum sheet metal cover so it doesn't look so retrofitted. The pis there don't show too much as to how the fixture looks over a tank. PM me your availability!

[ReefRockerLive]

CraigG, I sent you a PM.