Looking to Get Started with Reefs

jbacker7 · 11/26/2008, 08:31 PM

Hi guys, I'm new to this forum and I really want to set up a saltwater aquarium. But I have a few questions. Let me start you out with my current equiptment.

20 gallon long
30-60 HOB filter
heater
20 watt flourescent light (i know this does not matter anymore)

So I have some questions.

On a tank as small as a 20 gallon is a protein skimmer necessary?
How many total watts of lighting am I looking for on this tank?
I'm sure I can DIY on the lighting.. I'd like to make my own canopy of T5's..can this be done?

Thank you!

gws76 · 11/26/2008, 08:43 PM

I run a junky seaclone on my daughter's 20 gal. tall. Is it necessary? Not sure, I had it lying around and figured I should put it to use.
If you run 3 or 4 t-5 retro's, you should be ok (depends on what you want to grow).

We only grow zoa's, palys, and star polyps in that tank. Never tried any stoney corals in it.

Playa-1 · 11/26/2008, 08:49 PM

To Reef Central

On a tank as small as a 20 gallon is a protein skimmer necessary?
A skimmer is not absolutely necessary but since you wouldn't have the skimmer then you would likely have to do more water changes to keep the nitrates in check.

How many total watts of lighting am I looking for on this tank?
It really depends on the dimensions of the tank. Especially the depth. And also what your planning to keep in the tank. If it's just going to be fish and liverock then any old light will do. If your going to be getting into Corals then the lighting will be more of an issue.

I'm sure I can DIY on the lighting.. I'd like to make my own canopy of T5's..can this be done?
Yep, people do it all the time.

mg426 · 11/26/2008, 08:56 PM

You can save a load of cash if are handy. Its a good thing to be handy in this hobby.

jbacker7 · 11/26/2008, 09:14 PM

Haha well that's good.. I really enjoy wiring and building so this could be fun.

Answers to your questions though...

The tank is 30x12x12.
I would like to have live rock, a pair of clownfish..eventually when I get the hang of saltwater I'd like to have some anemones to host the clownfish, and I'm not really too concerned with corals but that could change...

More quetsions..

What kind of bulbs would be right to use?
Do I need to have some kind of cooling system for the bulbs?
My filter generates a pretty strong current, do you think I can get away with just 1 powerhead?

Thank you very much!

gws76 · 11/26/2008, 09:57 PM

bulbs: If it's fish only, any bulb would be useful for lighting the aquarium. If you do want to add anemones later on, then I would start with at least t-5's. Better to go with better lighting now than doing the upgrade thing down the road.

Cooling: We just use the small icecap fans to cool t-5's. We have them set to come on when the lights come on. But with the icecaps you can use the thermostaticly, to come on when a certain temp. is reached. I have used a cheap clip on fan before, and it work really well.

Flow: What kind of flow does your filter put out? Think of flow for fish as a fish treadmill. Plus good flow helps to keep detritus from building up in your tank. It keeps it suspended so the filter and/or possible skimmer picks it up.

jbacker7 · 11/27/2008, 12:20 AM

I just remembered.. I've been thinking about this for some time now and I was looking at Walmart the other day and saw a double bulb shop light that came with T-8s..24 inches...17 watt I believe..all wired up and in the reflector for around $10. Would it be a bad idea to buy a couple of these and modify them to the inside of a canopy or would it be enough light? I would switch out the bulbs of course.

Playa-1 · 11/27/2008, 12:24 AM

I don't think that's going to do much for you. I would take a look at the IceCap T-5 retro kits at www.reefgeek.com

jbacker7 · 11/27/2008, 12:12 PM

Well I'm definitely going the DIY route on this one.. I can't imagine spending that much for something I could make myself.

Does each T5 bulb require its own ballast?
T5 bulbs require electronic ballasts don't they?

jbacker7 · 11/27/2008, 01:44 PM

I've also been thinking about metal halide lighting...

Would one 250 watt bulb be enough for my 20 gallon long (30x12x12)?

I was thinking about something like this... Would it work?

http://www.petstore.com/ps_ViewItem-...e_Ballast_DIY_(Do_It_Yourself)_Kit_Aquarium_Lighting_Lighting_Parts_Metal_Halide_Ballasts-vendor-House_Brand-SearchStr--action-view-idProduct-MH250DIY-idCategory-AQLIPAMB.html

Playa-1 · 11/27/2008, 04:21 PM

I think you would be wise to spend some time reading in the DIY forum on Reef Central. Also check out the Lighting and filtration forum. MH will work but would be overkill for a tank that small. They could also cause some serious heat issues. You can build a T-5 system from scratch but your going to want a quality ballast and quality individual reflectors. The Kelvin rating on the bulbs will also have to be taken into consideration. The link on the previous post does not work for me.

jbacker7 · 11/27/2008, 06:07 PM

I've tried and tried to look on this site but it's hard to find the information I need to know.
Can you please help me decide what I'm gonna need here?

What should I look for on these bulbs? 6500K or 5000K? or up to 10000K?
Also I'm thinking 4 or 5 bulbs?
And I only need 1 ballast right?

Juruense · 11/27/2008, 06:36 PM

One 150 watt metal halide would be sufficient I would suggest 14,000K

Coralife Aqualight Advance hang on tank would be perfect for $300 and is what I have.

jbacker7 · 11/27/2008, 07:42 PM

Since I've started looking at this metal halide idea, it doesn't even really make any sense to me to go with fluorescents anymore. Why do you think people prefer the fluorescents over the MHs?

Juruense · 11/27/2008, 07:45 PM

Metal halide runs hot and uses a lot of power and is expensive. I prefer it however...

jbacker7 · 11/27/2008, 08:03 PM

I'll have to make a trip to some stores this weekend to see how I might set this up...

11/26/2008, 08:31 PM	#1
jbacker7 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Northeast Nebraska Posts: 8	Looking to Get Started with Reefs Hi guys, I'm new to this forum and I really want to set up a saltwater aquarium. But I have a few questions. Let me start you out with my current equiptment. 20 gallon long 30-60 HOB filter heater 20 watt flourescent light (i know this does not matter anymore) So I have some questions. On a tank as small as a 20 gallon is a protein skimmer necessary? How many total watts of lighting am I looking for on this tank? I'm sure I can DIY on the lighting.. I'd like to make my own canopy of T5's..can this be done? Thank you!

11/26/2008, 08:43 PM	#2
gws76 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: El Reno, OK Posts: 1,691 Blog Entries: 2	I run a junky seaclone on my daughter's 20 gal. tall. Is it necessary? Not sure, I had it lying around and figured I should put it to use. If you run 3 or 4 t-5 retro's, you should be ok (depends on what you want to grow). We only grow zoa's, palys, and star polyps in that tank. Never tried any stoney corals in it. __________________ "Let there be Rock!" ~ Bon Scott 2010-2011 COMAS POTM Chairman Current Tank Info: 150 gal. Starphire Mixed Reef

11/26/2008, 08:56 PM	#4
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	You can save a load of cash if are handy. Its a good thing to be handy in this hobby. __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

11/26/2008, 09:57 PM	#6
gws76 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: El Reno, OK Posts: 1,691 Blog Entries: 2	bulbs: If it's fish only, any bulb would be useful for lighting the aquarium. If you do want to add anemones later on, then I would start with at least t-5's. Better to go with better lighting now than doing the upgrade thing down the road. Cooling: We just use the small icecap fans to cool t-5's. We have them set to come on when the lights come on. But with the icecaps you can use the thermostaticly, to come on when a certain temp. is reached. I have used a cheap clip on fan before, and it work really well. Flow: What kind of flow does your filter put out? Think of flow for fish as a fish treadmill. Plus good flow helps to keep detritus from building up in your tank. It keeps it suspended so the filter and/or possible skimmer picks it up. __________________ "Let there be Rock!" ~ Bon Scott 2010-2011 COMAS POTM Chairman Current Tank Info: 150 gal. Starphire Mixed Reef

11/26/2008, 08:49 PM	#3
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	To Reef Central On a tank as small as a 20 gallon is a protein skimmer necessary? A skimmer is not absolutely necessary but since you wouldn't have the skimmer then you would likely have to do more water changes to keep the nitrates in check. How many total watts of lighting am I looking for on this tank? It really depends on the dimensions of the tank. Especially the depth. And also what your planning to keep in the tank. If it's just going to be fish and liverock then any old light will do. If your going to be getting into Corals then the lighting will be more of an issue. I'm sure I can DIY on the lighting.. I'd like to make my own canopy of T5's..can this be done? Yep, people do it all the time.

11/26/2008, 09:14 PM	#5
jbacker7 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Northeast Nebraska Posts: 8	Haha well that's good.. I really enjoy wiring and building so this could be fun. Answers to your questions though... The tank is 30x12x12. I would like to have live rock, a pair of clownfish..eventually when I get the hang of saltwater I'd like to have some anemones to host the clownfish, and I'm not really too concerned with corals but that could change... More quetsions.. What kind of bulbs would be right to use? Do I need to have some kind of cooling system for the bulbs? My filter generates a pretty strong current, do you think I can get away with just 1 powerhead? Thank you very much!

11/27/2008, 12:20 AM	#7
jbacker7 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Northeast Nebraska Posts: 8	I just remembered.. I've been thinking about this for some time now and I was looking at Walmart the other day and saw a double bulb shop light that came with T-8s..24 inches...17 watt I believe..all wired up and in the reflector for around $10. Would it be a bad idea to buy a couple of these and modify them to the inside of a canopy or would it be enough light? I would switch out the bulbs of course.

11/27/2008, 12:24 AM	#8
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	I don't think that's going to do much for you. I would take a look at the IceCap T-5 retro kits at www.reefgeek.com

11/27/2008, 12:12 PM	#9
jbacker7 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Northeast Nebraska Posts: 8	Well I'm definitely going the DIY route on this one.. I can't imagine spending that much for something I could make myself. Does each T5 bulb require its own ballast? T5 bulbs require electronic ballasts don't they?

11/27/2008, 01:44 PM	#10
jbacker7 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Northeast Nebraska Posts: 8	I've also been thinking about metal halide lighting... Would one 250 watt bulb be enough for my 20 gallon long (30x12x12)? I was thinking about something like this... Would it work? http://www.petstore.com/ps_ViewItem-...e_Ballast_DIY_(Do_It_Yourself)_Kit_Aquarium_Lighting_Lighting_Parts_Metal_Halide_Ballasts-vendor-House_Brand-SearchStr--action-view-idProduct-MH250DIY-idCategory-AQLIPAMB.html

11/27/2008, 04:21 PM	#11
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	I think you would be wise to spend some time reading in the DIY forum on Reef Central. Also check out the Lighting and filtration forum. MH will work but would be overkill for a tank that small. They could also cause some serious heat issues. You can build a T-5 system from scratch but your going to want a quality ballast and quality individual reflectors. The Kelvin rating on the bulbs will also have to be taken into consideration. The link on the previous post does not work for me.

11/27/2008, 06:07 PM	#12
jbacker7 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Northeast Nebraska Posts: 8	I've tried and tried to look on this site but it's hard to find the information I need to know. Can you please help me decide what I'm gonna need here? What should I look for on these bulbs? 6500K or 5000K? or up to 10000K? Also I'm thinking 4 or 5 bulbs? And I only need 1 ballast right?

11/27/2008, 06:36 PM	#13
Juruense Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 1,138	One 150 watt metal halide would be sufficient I would suggest 14,000K Coralife Aqualight Advance hang on tank would be perfect for $300 and is what I have.

11/27/2008, 07:42 PM	#14
jbacker7 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Northeast Nebraska Posts: 8	Since I've started looking at this metal halide idea, it doesn't even really make any sense to me to go with fluorescents anymore. Why do you think people prefer the fluorescents over the MHs?

11/27/2008, 07:45 PM	#15
Juruense Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 1,138	Metal halide runs hot and uses a lot of power and is expensive. I prefer it however...

11/27/2008, 08:03 PM	#16
jbacker7 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Northeast Nebraska Posts: 8	I'll have to make a trip to some stores this weekend to see how I might set this up...