Questions

[spectra]

OK new to the site and love what I see. Used to have a 55 reef set up about 6 yrs ago now starting out fresh. Would like to set up a 29 but am wondering what to do for filtration. Not sure if I want a sump so might just try a sand bed. Pros cons? If I do have to run a sump what is the best set up? Have seen a few and they all seem differant. Would like to just have corals and maybe a clown for a fish. What would be a good skimmer to run? And last lighting I used to run metal halides on my old setup is there anything better now? Sorry for all the questions but am still searching and reading through all the posts. And once again a great site to find!

[ChrisPrusha]

Welcome aboard, spectra!! w0000000000000000000000000000t!!!

You may want to try a 29 with lots of LR, an AquaC Remora skimmer, and no sand. That's just one option, though.

Metal halides are still an excellent choice for lighting, too.

Glad to see you've got the reefing bug back!

[texfromkansas]

Welcome...

[tims]

welcome to TRT!

depending on the corals, there are a few different lighting systems you can use. Pc's , T5's and MH, since you already have MH, may not need to use something different, unless you want to set up the 55 again.
if you stillhave the 55g, why not set thatup and use the other as the sump.
you main filters will still only be the live rock and skimmer. the sump area would only be to hide things ( like the heater, carbon, the skimmer).
the sand bed will help with the tank but will need to be cleaned. you will also have to look at flow in the tank

[Marcalo]

you can probably go with the setup i have or something similar. i use a hang on top fin 60 as my filter. but i think emperor makes a bio wheel filter with the intake close to the top water line which is where i like mine. thats where most of the garbage ends up anyway. i think one good size power head or 2 med. sized will work good for flow. if you go with a sand bed you will need Sand Sifting star and lots of cerith snails you can also vac easy to reach area of sand use a bucket to catch sand from the tank it will sink in the bucket and you can return it back when done. there are some tips here as well to help with vacing sand http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=99015

i hope this helps but i am no expert yet

[spectra]

Thanks for the start. And as of right now I do not have the 55 anymore sold everything and am starting over. What is actually going on is my 7 year old wanted a tank so I bought a used 29 from a friend and then built a stand for it. And after thinking about it I figured why not make another saltwater tank. So what I am trying to do is make it simple since it will be going in my sons room. After reading a few things on here I just like the idea of not running a sump if I dont have to. Also what do most of you think of the HOB filters?

Thanks again!

[zero186]

well if you do a HOB just make sure it has alot of filter power and if you run a skimmer and have LR you should be ok.

[crvz]

I don't particularly care for most of the HOB filters, they require a lot of interaction to make them effective. I feel they trap the gunk from the tank, but unless you remove/clean it often that gunk can break down and fuel various algae growths. If you're not going with a sump, you're probably better served with the AquaC Remora skimmer. It seems to get the best reputation for a HOB skimmer.

Lighting, MH is still probably the most effective, but T5 flourescent bulbs are a newer option that can for almost any coral that you'd want. I've been using them for a couple years now with pretty good success.

[zero186]

i have a 60g with now HOB filter just 80lbs of LR and a good skimmer/flow

[spectra]

Well scratch the idea of no sump. After seeing a few more setups on here might just have to run one. But now the question is how are most of them run now? I see some with live rock and some green stuff in there and some with nothing in them? What is the best way to run them? Also what is the best way to drill holes for the bulkhead in glass? My last tank was acrylic so it was easy Hell the more I get into this the more I remember how much the first one set me back

[Loverotties]

Welcome to TRT!There new LED lighting out (but so new,I only saw 2 threads on it) Thats suppose to be as if not better then Mh.Mh is still great but on your size tank,heat mite be a issue.T-5 are probably the next best.