zidion
11/25/2011, 04:37 PM
So I am thinking of taking the plunge into getting a reef system (after having 2 55g freshwater systems I want something else).
I currently have a 20g system that I am not using and its fairly new (bought in June). I was thinking of buying everything I needed to set it up as a reef tank (filter, lights, powerheads, etc) and then I found a 29g BioCube on sale at a LFS for $150.
Now, I like having everything I need for $150, but I feel with the BioCube I will be "stuck" with that equipment, and it might be worth spending a little more and just upgrading my 20g to suit the needs of a reeftank.
This is what I was looking at:
AquaClear 50 Power Filter (for water movement and carbon)
Hydor Koralia Nano 240 Aquarium Pump, 240 gph
Sicce Voyager 1 Power Stream Pump, 607gph
Protein Skimmer
Those 3 things would cost me around $120
Now, the lighting issue is making me rather confused. I keep seeing a lot of random numbers thrown around. I've read at some places you need 3-5 watts per gallon, and other places say 4-8. Now, I do want corals, but I am looking at just doing beginner corals.
I was looking at getting a 2x24 light ( such as this Coralife 08600 Aqualight High Output T5 Dual Lamp Fixture, 24-Inch), but that would not be enough wattage correct? So I would have to go with a 4x24 to have enough wattage, which would cost around $200.
So now I am looking at either DIY reef for about $320, or a Biocube 29g for $150.
Which setup would be better in the long run?
PS. I was using this as a build guide
http://www.aquabuys.com/c/nano-reef-aquarium.html
I currently have a 20g system that I am not using and its fairly new (bought in June). I was thinking of buying everything I needed to set it up as a reef tank (filter, lights, powerheads, etc) and then I found a 29g BioCube on sale at a LFS for $150.
Now, I like having everything I need for $150, but I feel with the BioCube I will be "stuck" with that equipment, and it might be worth spending a little more and just upgrading my 20g to suit the needs of a reeftank.
This is what I was looking at:
AquaClear 50 Power Filter (for water movement and carbon)
Hydor Koralia Nano 240 Aquarium Pump, 240 gph
Sicce Voyager 1 Power Stream Pump, 607gph
Protein Skimmer
Those 3 things would cost me around $120
Now, the lighting issue is making me rather confused. I keep seeing a lot of random numbers thrown around. I've read at some places you need 3-5 watts per gallon, and other places say 4-8. Now, I do want corals, but I am looking at just doing beginner corals.
I was looking at getting a 2x24 light ( such as this Coralife 08600 Aqualight High Output T5 Dual Lamp Fixture, 24-Inch), but that would not be enough wattage correct? So I would have to go with a 4x24 to have enough wattage, which would cost around $200.
So now I am looking at either DIY reef for about $320, or a Biocube 29g for $150.
Which setup would be better in the long run?
PS. I was using this as a build guide
http://www.aquabuys.com/c/nano-reef-aquarium.html