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| Tank Specs Please give us your tank specs, so when you ask a question we can look here if we need more information. Include tank size, equipment, and inhabitants. |
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07-20-2008, 05:11 AM
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#1
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Plankton
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Fremont, CA
Posts: 11
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My first 30 gallon reef tank
Hi! This is my first salt water tank. It's a 30 inches long, 12 inches wide and 21 inches deep. I've started with
- 20 lbs of live sand
- 10 lbs of dry sand
- 33 lbs of cured live rock
- Remora skimmer
The live rock came with a couple of feather dusters (at least that's what my friends tell me) and a teeny tiny crab that comes out when it's dark.
I just picked up a Fluval 205 filter, but I haven't set it up yet. Still shopping for the light. I really need advice on what type of light to get. (and pretty much everything  ) I'm hoping to put some frogspawn, bubble coral, some kind of bright colored leather coral with maybe 4 fish. I also would love to have an anemone that could host a clown fish, but I heard that anemones can be aggressive, and the tank needs to be established for a year. Maybe the clown fish can be hosted by another type of coral?
Thanks!
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07-20-2008, 07:36 AM
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#2
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I've got the REEF rash!
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 34,144
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 Welcome to TRT! Lights,being so deep Id get 250 Mh.As for that filter you got,I'd take it back and get a good skimmer instead!
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07-20-2008, 08:13 AM
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#3
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SPS Crazed
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Raleigh NC
Posts: 1,676
Reviews: 5
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I know several people with small tanks like yours that use this light with great results and the price is right. They even have a few acros in the tank !
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...s~vendor~.html |
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07-20-2008, 09:02 AM
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#4
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spaceman spiff
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: south of Dimples
Posts: 10,636
Reviews: 72
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That is a pretty good light choice, marineduud. Should take care of anything you'd like to keep.
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07-20-2008, 12:47 PM
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#5
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Plankton
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Fremont, CA
Posts: 11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Loverotties
Welcome to TRT! Lights,being so deep Id get 250 Mh.As for that filter you got,I'd take it back and get a good skimmer instead! |
Thank you for the welcome! I'm very excited!!! 
I have a Remora skimmer. My friend suggested I have both the skimmer and the filter. Do I need both?
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07-20-2008, 01:09 PM
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#6
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Plankton
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Fremont, CA
Posts: 11
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I like the light marineduud mentioned. It got a lot of great reviews! Loverotties mentioned that my tank is deep. Would that make a difference in how well the light works on the lower part of the tank?
Do metal halides cost more? They seem to look like spot lights. I'm worried about the length of the tank. I noticed some reviewers mentioning dark areas in the corners of their tanks when using mh.
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07-20-2008, 04:06 PM
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#7
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spaceman spiff
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: south of Dimples
Posts: 10,636
Reviews: 72
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No, the tank is not so deep that the light would be insufficient. And I'd probably just run with the skimmer and not bother with the filter.
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07-20-2008, 07:12 PM
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#8
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The Ninja MOD
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Planet P.....Why Me?
Posts: 13,624
Reviews: 23
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If you did get mtal halide I wouldnt get a 250 watt. That will cause some real heat issues on such a small tank.
Th fluval will trap detritus like it was designed to do. The problem is that all that detritus will stay in the filter untill you clean it. While it waits to get cleaned, the poo and other junk will continue to decay/rot and release al kinds of nasties into the water. A good skimmer on the other hand will REMOVE all the crud from the water. Filters just allow stuff to concentrate and release nitrates. |
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07-21-2008, 01:50 AM
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#9
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Plankton
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Fremont, CA
Posts: 11
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I'm going to order my new light tonight and return the fluval tomorrow! Thanks everyone!
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07-22-2008, 11:58 AM
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#11
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Keeper of the Kracken
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Martin, SC
Posts: 11,407
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That is a Power Compact light fixture and will not be near enough light for what you want to keep in the tank. The bulbs also have to be replaced sooner thn T5 bulbs do.
Go with the T5 fixture that was first recommended and you will be much better off in the long run.
And welcome to TRT!
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07-22-2008, 01:22 PM
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#12
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Plankton
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aquawolf
That is a Power Compact light fixture and will not be near enough light for what you want to keep in the tank. The bulbs also have to be replaced sooner thn T5 bulbs do.
Go with the T5 fixture that was first recommended and you will be much better off in the long run.
And welcome to TRT!
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+1 I started with power compacts and thought they were amazing... then I got T5s, and I will NEVER go back to PC's!!!
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07-23-2008, 12:29 AM
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#13
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Plankton
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Fremont, CA
Posts: 11
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I'm glad I asked! I was looking at the wattage and not the type of bulb. Good to know! Thank you!  |
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07-23-2008, 12:50 AM
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#14
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Keeper of the Kracken
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Martin, SC
Posts: 11,407
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You are very welcome.
That is why we are here as well is to try to help in situations like this. I can guarantee you that I am not the only one who has had PC, Halide, and T5 fixtures here. Where I could have saved a bunch of money if I just knew exactly what I needed up front. 
Best of luck with your setup. |
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