Ive done so much research ive fried my brain.

[EndlessSummer]

Hi everyone! I'm new here and looking forward to hearing everyones advice and comments. So heres the deal, im brand new to the reef keeping game. I spend more time in the ocean than i do on land so i figured i would bring a bit of it into my house. The only thing i have is an empty 36 gallon bowfront waiting to be filled. Ive done so much research ive friend my brain and im a bit confused on where to start.

i need help with picking out a good skimmer and help on getting a good flow set up. any recommendations?

im planning on keeping soft corals/SPS along with a few fish.
Thanks!

[crvz]

Welcome to TRT!

Couple questions before we get started. First, what are the dimensions of the tank? And second, do you plan on running a sump for equipment? If you can house the skimmer in the sump, that opens up a lot of options.

[EndlessSummer]

my tank is 30 x 15 x 21. I was just going to go with a hang on back skimmer. Do you think a sump would be easier or should i just stick with a back hanging unit until i really understand everything going on within the tank.

[Hop]

My favorite ever softie/mixed tank was a 36 gallon bow. It just has two MJ modded 600s for flow on a wave maker, a nova Extreme (not the pro) 4 lamp t5 set up and a nice deltec HOB skimmer. Simple, but stunning to look at. Full of zoa, softies and a few montis.

I would do the exact same, but with a set of tunze nanos on a controller.

[aquawolf]

Welcome to TRT!!!!

Hop's idea sounds outstanding if you have the budget for it.

[Hop]

there comes that money angle again. I hate money!

[EndlessSummer]

So you think two tunze nanos should do the trick? Luckily uncle sam is giving me something back this year so im excited to get everything started. I was going to go all out and just get MH because i dont really see myself not loving the hobby, but like always there is the money factor. Ive learned that aquatraders is a company to steer clear of. I was going to go for a Jalli MH light off craigslist but i cant find much on the company and what i do find isnt good. Any recommendations? Should i be okay with just t5s and just spend my money elsewhere? Thanks for all the help

[aquawolf]

We have plenty of people on here, such as crvz, that use T5 exclusively and have some stunning tanks. If you get a good fixture like the TEK then you can basically grow anything you want to in the tank with the PAR being equivalent and sometimes even better than some metal halides.

Sorry Hop, but money and usually the lack thereof always comes into play for me.

[Hop]

Originally Posted by aquawolf

Sorry Hop, but money and usually the lack thereof always comes into play for me.

Ya... You and me both! Why do you think my additions are so slow... Finances are much tighter than they were when I had the 450... Stupid medical bills!

[EndlessSummer]

I know im starting to jump from place to place but what do you think i should aim for wattage wise? Im figuring 3-5 per gallon. Also, will i be okay with using a 24" fixture or should i try to get a 30". ive noticed a lot more variety with 24".