Ups Just Delivered My Cube!!!

[allen00se]

I just got my 20x20x24H acrylic cube from glass cages. I am at work right now, but I will definitely take some pictures when I get home so that everyone can see what level of quality their tanks are. So far I have only cracked the box but the first thing I noticed was that they didnt use one solid piece for the Euro brace around the top. Its four different pieces glued together with some triangles for seam supports, its kind of tacky but I should be able to cover it up.
On to the good stuff-
I am currently trying to decide on lights, filter, and what type of circulation.
As far as livestock goes, i would have mainly lps and softies, maybe a carpet anem with some clarkiis and a YCG, and shrimp, snails, and some hermits.
I want this system to be simple and cost effective so I was thinking a some PC lights

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=13734&cm_mmc=LiveAquaria_DFS_Links-_-Fish_Supplies-_-LiveAquaria_Gen_Page-_-Lighting&ref=3969&subref=AA&N=2004+113345

for 20in length and keeping it cool (compared to MH). For filtration I was thinking a hob power filter, this one claims to have a skimmer built in but i doubt it very effective

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=3641&ref=3969&cm_mmc=LiveAquaria_DFS_Links-_-Fish_Supplies-_-LiveAquaria_Gen_Page-_-Filters&subref=AA&N=2004+22769

For circulation I was planning on a closed loop pushing 2-250gph but need a good quiet, and cool running pump (any recommendations?)

Also any cool creatures, corals, or recommendations would be appreciated.
Thanks
Krys

[allen00se]

Oh ya for heat I want to use something like

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=13966&ref=3969&cm_mmc=LiveAquaria_DFS_Links-_-Fish_Supplies-_-LiveAquaria_Gen_Page-_-Heaters&subref=AA&N=2004+113767

A submersible unit with the controler seperate so its not hangin on the lip
pics and more to come, I also want to build a unique stand for this cube, so if anyone has some cool pics feel free to post...

[allen00se]

anyone have an opininion on PC light fixtures, I just looked at one that was a "Current" brand It needs to be 20in wide.

[allen00se]

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=CU01020
Here is the link, anyone used this light before?

[allen00se]

Well here is another option, its more expensive, but might allow me more flexibility since its MH, would heat be a big issue with this light?

http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_lighting_metal_halide_coralife_aqualight_advanced.asp?CartId=

[omni2226]

Dont waste your money on a skilter, they arent any good on anything bigger than 10 gallons.
Buy a cpr backpack if you want a filter/skimmer combo.

Lighting is a matter of taste mostly. You can keep just about all but the most demanding corals without halides, but they do grow faster with halides.

If you arent keeping stony corals you can use power compacts (PC). Not too pricy and they do the job.

[xtrstangx]

If it was me:

1. I'd put a sump on the tank. A 10g would work nicely on your 41g tank. A sump allows you to hide a lot of equipment and also to use a decent skimmer.

2. Skimmer.. I'd get an ASM G-1X.
3. Lights.. I'd go for a 250w SE retrofit, especially because your tank is 24" deep. With a 24" deep tank, PCs won't cut it, IME.
4. Heater.. Definately a Finnex Titanium with the controller.
5. Bigger closed loop. I'd think about a Mag 7 or Mag 9.5.. More flow is better, especially when you don't have to hide powerheads in the tank. Actually, since your tank is acrylic, you could do a GenX PCX-40 with returns from the back and from the bottom.

Then again, thats if you want to do a nice SPS system.. although it would work pretty well for softies/LPS. JMO.

[socalreefer73]

80watts (the light pc lights by "current") over 40 gallons isn't really enough light to keep most corals...

You need 4 watts per gallon minimum and that's to keep the low-light critters going. You'll need more near 10 watts per gallon for the reef crest species of corals.

I wouldn't go with a skilter either. I would just go for a decent skimmer. If you're not going sump, check out the deltec or aquac remora HOBs.

As you can see by xtrstangx's post, mechanical filtration isn't paramount - he didn't list one. It's more important that you focus on getting a good skimmer. I only added one to my tank later, but only to run carbon.

hth and slow down a bit. Don't let your excitement cloud good judgement... :rollface:

[Amy83820]

Watch out for those skilters....they are LOUD!

[allen00se]

Well all of this sounds like good advice, does anyone have any experience with the coral life MH that I linked earlier?

[xtrstangx]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7327673#post7327673 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by socalreefer73
As you can see by xtrstangx's post, mechanical filtration isn't paramount - he didn't list one. It's more important that you focus on getting a good skimmer. I only added one to my tank later, but only to run carbon.

Add to my list:
1. Phosban reactor running Phosban being fed with a Minijet 404
2. Phosban reactor running carbon being fed with a Maxi-jet 600

[socalreefer73]

I would like to suggest a refractometer, in case you haven't thought of that yet. The plastic float type hydrometers are no good.

[omni2226]

For the lights...take a long deep breath and think about it.
What animals do you wixh to keep?

After deciding what you want to keep make a decision on lighting based on what is good for the overall health of the entire ecosystem that is your aquarium, then make a choice.

[socalreefer73]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7328080#post7328080 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by omni2226
For the lights...take a long deep breath and think about it.
What animals do you wixh to keep?

After deciding what you want to keep make a decision on lighting based on what is good for the overall health of the entire ecosystem that is your aquarium, then make a choice.

Ditto..

[allen00se]

I really want a carpet anem, so thats why I was considering the 150mh, would this be enough light, If not I have a Bta in my 46 that would do well. Other than that all I really want are some softies, xenia, maybe a hammer, or frogspawn....

[davocean]

I just put 150 MH on a friends 24, nice.
ZOEREEF has some really cool mods for nano.
I just saw her on here somewhere.
Check her gallery or go to nano forum

[xtrstangx]

250w SE then if you want a carpet anemone. IMO, I like SE a lot more than DE. You can get better reflectors (the coralife one is crap) and is generally cheaper. Also a lot safer cause you don't have to worry about UV damage (to your tank and you)

[allen00se]

Not familiar with SE and DE, what does that mean

[allen00se]

ohh never mind, single end/double end.

[allen00se]

What do you guys think about a 250w retro kit like

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=ICSPK2

Would this be something worth looking in to. Would the heat be too much, the office that this will be going in is about 12'x12'.

[ste6168]

if i can say one thing only then i would say get good lighting... The biggest mistake i have made so far was kimping on my lighting by buying PC lights. If i could go back to the begining and do it over, i would get a 90g tank over the 75g i have now and also get 250 SE MH bulbs over the PCraps i have now...

JMO, Mike

[allen00se]

Well ste6168, thats the kind of stuff I need to hear. Sounds like I def need to go SE MH, but now I need some recommendations on which one.

[allen00se]

Davocean, what type of 150 did you put on your friends tank, and do you have any pics?

[xtrstangx]

What I'm putting on my new tank:

- Reeflux 10K SE
- Reef Fanatic e-ballast (puts out the best light for this bulb)
- Reef Optix 1 pendant

You could always go with:

- XM 10K SE
- standard PFO ballast
- standard Parabolic/Spider reflector

[allen00se]

xtrstangx-
I would like to go with one of the pendants bc I dont want to have a hood. How far off of the water should this hang. Also I have never used mh bfore and would like to know how noticable the temp will be in a 12x12 office.

[xtrstangx]

A RO1 would be fine for 6-8" off the water.

Heat in the room won't be an issue

[afex]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7334338#post7334338 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ste6168
if i can say one thing only then i would say get good lighting... The biggest mistake i have made so far was kimping on my lighting by buying PC lights. If i could go back to the begining and do it over, i would get a 90g tank over the 75g i have now and also get 250 SE MH bulbs over the PCraps i have now...

JMO, Mike

while i'm in a similar position and would rather have MH over my current PC lights, i think the reason why you hate your PC lights so much is that you only have 260W over a 75g tank. thats only 3.5 w/g.

i keep 400W of PC over my 75g and i keep SPS easily (acropora sp. included) i even have a digitata frag on the sandbed which has full PE and healthy growth.

the reason why I want MH is simply the visual difference that MH with VHO actinics has compared to PC with PC actinics.

[ses4me]

allen, i run two of those coralife 96w fixtures over my 30g cube, which has softies and LPS corals. the two fixtures fit perfectly over the tank and provide just the amount of light (192 total watts). i've been happy since i got them last year. don't get them from dr. fosters or marinedepot. they are cheapest on marineandreef.com.

[allen00se]

I just got done reading a thread where this DE got some good reviews...

http://www.hellolights.com/ocli25hqiame.html

[xtrstangx]

Those are nice lights.