Yet another new one...

[derosier]

Thought I should take a moment to say "Hi" and introduce myself. I'm new to TRT, and while I've been lurking here for a few weeks, I haven't posted until today.

Anway, I started with a 20g-long with an eclipse hood, fish w/ live rock several years ago. Actually my (now, not then) ex-girlfriend who got me into the hobby. Ah, if I knew how much money I would spend on this, I would have never looked at her micro reef to start with...

Anyway, I quickly outgrew the eclipse hood as my tank started to go towords the mini-reef with fish type, but I kept it up and running for about 3 years. I took it down, found homes for all the critters, and junked a large portion of the equipment when I moved about 6 months ago.

A month or two ago I couldn't stand it any longer and went out and bought my "dream" starter system. I'm now running a 42g Hex with a Prisim skimmer and PC lighting. Got about 50lbs of LR and a good 3-4inch thick sandbed. A pair of perculas are keeping me company, but I've so far held off putting any more fish in there (ah, but I couldn't resist that mushroom rock...) Did get a detravore kit from Inland Aquatics. Water quality is stable and good. The goal for this tank is a nice soft coral and fish tank.

Anyway, I do have a little experience, but I still consider myself pretty new to the hobby. In particular I've got a lot to learn about reef tanks and the more advanced techniques and equipment (yes, I do consider sumps and kalk reactors "more advanced equipment" ). Already have learned some lessons on my new tank (hm... more lighting....).


Anway, just thought I would say hi.


- Steve

[Doug1]

Hi Steve, welcome to the reef tank
Hex tanks are really nice in there own way BUT they do present a few challenges, lighting being the main one. The reason being they are very tall compared to their foot print, but not an insurmountable obstacle. I dont recall the dimensions of a 42g hex off hand but the liverock and sand bed sound fine. I am not a big fan of Power compact lights(I use VHO) but all that aside I think a single 175 metal halide with a trick reflector would be minimum for nice soft coral growth(MH has the punch to penetrate the depth) although, if you compare a 175 to a single 250 watt 6500K Iwasaki and use your pc to do the actinics, its only a few $$$$$$$ more and gives you a lot more choices in what corals you can support in your tank.
The other problem I have with hexs is the stand, if you have a nice matching stand its hard to fit a decent sump under it, if you dont have a trick hex stand maybe you can use the 20L as a sump, personally I think they are the most cost effective esp if you have one laying around.
Aas far as a Kalk reactor until you get a heavy population of corals,I wouldnt worry about that at this point. I would incorperate a sump and some kind of auto top off(preferably kalk reactor friendly) and use a good 2 part calc/alk additive for the time being, Again welcome, HTH

[FishDaddy]

Hi Steve,

Good to have you with us!
Hex's are beautiful tanks but, as Doug suggests, create special "opportunities" for reef setups. Because of the columnar shape, it is difficult to put very many larger corals in without having them touch one another. I would suggest A Practical Guide to Corals, by Puterbaugh & Borneman, as a very useful reference for corals usually found in the trade.
Another aspect of a hex is the small surface area for gas exchange. It is important to have good circulation at the surface to promote this exchange.
As for sandbeds, here is an excellent site with good information: http://www.reefkeepers.org/faq/cache/33.html
And a great article on snails and clean up critters by Dr. Ron Shimek: http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish/li...=&RecordNo=166
Again, welcome to The Reef Tank!
Dick

[derosier]

Thanks for the hearty welcome! Yes, I know (all too well now), that hex tanks have some challenges. Thankfully I was mostly aware of them before I decided on this tank. The footprint of the tank really was the deciding factor when I decided on the hex; it was the only way I could get a decent size, yet take up a minimum of floor space (I live in an appartment, when I have my own house I can get a big tank with whatever formfactor I want!). I was hoping that the PC lighting would be enough, but since my water is nearly 2 ft. deep (hm, I think it is actually 20 inches), but my tank is not very wide, I can't get enough wattage over my tank to do it. I was thinking of a MH lamp instead; looking at a Prisim Pendant by CSL. Anyone have any experience with that fixture?

One think I really wish I had thought ahead about was a sump. I figured I could think about it later, but at this point placing one anywhere near my tank will be a challange. I would either have to move the tank a few feet (hm, it probalby weighs close to 500lbs, wouldn't be much fun to move), or cut a hole in a wall for the pipe fictures (which I don't think my appartment manager would appricate). Yet another lesson to add to my long list...

- Steve