What is an Ideal setup for LPS + Softies?

chicagophil · 11/19/2009, 10:41 AM

I am starting a new tank and would like to focus on LPS and Softies. Does anyone have a recomendation for that type of tank? I am thinking either a 36X18 foot print or 36 X 24 foot print.

Thoughts?
Thanks.

jflick345 · 11/19/2009, 10:53 AM

Depending on your setup I would say the 18" unless you'll have access behind the tank. The 36"x24" would be a PITA when you're trying to clean or aquascape...unless you're like 6'8", then you can do whatever. lol Footprint is personal preference, the main considerations are depth and light but the corals you're looking at are lower light so it shouldn't be an issue.

Sisterlimonpot · 11/19/2009, 11:02 AM

what type of lighting are you leaning torwards?

deathmatch782 · 11/19/2009, 12:39 PM

A 40 breeder is 36x18x16 or a 58 is 36x18x21.

Either of these would work well, the 40 br is a very popular tank.
You can also use t5 on both of these in a 4 bulb config for lps/softies.

tjanowski · 11/19/2009, 12:45 PM

40g breeder is a nice size. Don't get a 65g reef ready, as the overflow takes up way too much space. But, i'd say go with either a 40g or a 58g as deatmatch782 said.

jflick345 · 11/19/2009, 12:47 PM

I have a 45g (36lx12wx24h) and from my experience I would recommend the 58. I like the height and the added width would be awesome

chicagophil · 11/19/2009, 02:07 PM

I already have the Nova Extreme Pro 6X39W ati bulbs.
Thoughts- 65 wide is a 36 X 24 by 17 high.

Peninsula style tank.

Sisterlimonpot · 11/19/2009, 02:27 PM

What's the availability of 36" long light fixtures?

likemike99 · 11/19/2009, 02:31 PM

I love the way deep tanks look but they are really annoying after a while. the aquascaping just gets tedious with the depth

jflick345 · 11/19/2009, 04:11 PM

Personally I think that 65g wide would be a pretty cool looking peninsula

AquaMonkey · 11/19/2009, 04:48 PM

I am still new to the saltwater hobby, (at just under a year) so take this for what its worth, but I have a lot of softies like leathers mushrooms etc... and I my tank is 21 inches front to back, and wish I had more.
The leathers in my tank have grown pretty well and need a lot space for their circumference.
.
Most of the soft tanks I have seen online, you can see the toadstools and what not touching front to back on their tanks.

long story short; if I could do it again I would get a wider tank. Or learn how to trim these suckers down

reeflord · 11/20/2009, 08:00 AM

your t5 should be fine, i personally like the 36x24 footprint, it will give you more aquascaping options

jenglish · 11/20/2009, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sisterlimonpot

What's the availability of 36" long light fixtures?

Very common

DC_40gallon · 11/20/2009, 02:18 PM

I have a 40breeder and love it. It's deep but still shallow for me to easily get my hand in the bottom if necessary but it is wide and still 3 feet long!

markandleah2006 · 11/20/2009, 02:45 PM

This is my first time posting anything. I have a 125 reef tank with some LPS, mushrooms and zoo's. I bought the tank set up about a year ago and have or course been trying to make it my own and learning along the way. I am currently in the process of installing a 29 gallon sump that includes a 15 gallon refugium. I am also trying to purchase a descent hang on skimmer for the new sump. My question revolves around a possible purchase of a 40 watt UV sterilizer, any thoughts of actual benefit for the cost? I appreciate your input.
Mark

onionbagle · 11/20/2009, 03:22 PM

I run power compacts and follow the watts per gallon rule with no problems at all

11/19/2009, 10:41 AM	#1
chicagophil Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Chicago-NW side- Jefferson Park Posts: 680	What is an Ideal setup for LPS + Softies? I am starting a new tank and would like to focus on LPS and Softies. Does anyone have a recomendation for that type of tank? I am thinking either a 36X18 foot print or 36 X 24 foot print. Thoughts? Thanks.

11/19/2009, 11:02 AM	#3
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	what type of lighting are you leaning torwards? __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

11/19/2009, 02:27 PM	#8
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	What's the availability of 36" long light fixtures? __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

11/20/2009, 02:45 PM	#15
markandleah2006 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 2	UV sterilizer This is my first time posting anything. I have a 125 reef tank with some LPS, mushrooms and zoo's. I bought the tank set up about a year ago and have or course been trying to make it my own and learning along the way. I am currently in the process of installing a 29 gallon sump that includes a 15 gallon refugium. I am also trying to purchase a descent hang on skimmer for the new sump. My question revolves around a possible purchase of a 40 watt UV sterilizer, any thoughts of actual benefit for the cost? I appreciate your input. Mark

11/20/2009, 03:22 PM	#16
onionbagle Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 53	I run power compacts and follow the watts per gallon rule with no problems at all __________________ 14g Biocube Current Tank Info: 14g Biocube

11/19/2009, 10:53 AM	#2
jflick345 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 884	Depending on your setup I would say the 18" unless you'll have access behind the tank. The 36"x24" would be a PITA when you're trying to clean or aquascape...unless you're like 6'8", then you can do whatever. lol Footprint is personal preference, the main considerations are depth and light but the corals you're looking at are lower light so it shouldn't be an issue.

11/19/2009, 12:39 PM	#4
deathmatch782 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MN Posts: 151	A 40 breeder is 36x18x16 or a 58 is 36x18x21. Either of these would work well, the 40 br is a very popular tank. You can also use t5 on both of these in a 4 bulb config for lps/softies.

11/19/2009, 12:45 PM	#5
tjanowski Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Windermere, FL Posts: 71	40g breeder is a nice size. Don't get a 65g reef ready, as the overflow takes up way too much space. But, i'd say go with either a 40g or a 58g as deatmatch782 said.

11/19/2009, 12:47 PM	#6
jflick345 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 884	I have a 45g (36lx12wx24h) and from my experience I would recommend the 58. I like the height and the added width would be awesome

11/19/2009, 02:07 PM	#7
chicagophil Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Chicago-NW side- Jefferson Park Posts: 680	I already have the Nova Extreme Pro 6X39W ati bulbs. Thoughts- 65 wide is a 36 X 24 by 17 high. Peninsula style tank.

11/19/2009, 02:31 PM	#9
likemike99 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: North Carolina Posts: 117	I love the way deep tanks look but they are really annoying after a while. the aquascaping just gets tedious with the depth

11/19/2009, 04:11 PM	#10
jflick345 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 884	Personally I think that 65g wide would be a pretty cool looking peninsula

11/19/2009, 04:48 PM	#11
AquaMonkey Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Franklin Indiana Posts: 78	I am still new to the saltwater hobby, (at just under a year) so take this for what its worth, but I have a lot of softies like leathers mushrooms etc... and I my tank is 21 inches front to back, and wish I had more. The leathers in my tank have grown pretty well and need a lot space for their circumference. . Most of the soft tanks I have seen online, you can see the toadstools and what not touching front to back on their tanks. long story short; if I could do it again I would get a wider tank. Or learn how to trim these suckers down

11/20/2009, 08:00 AM	#12
reeflord Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: fraser, mi Posts: 213	your t5 should be fine, i personally like the 36x24 footprint, it will give you more aquascaping options

11/20/2009, 02:18 PM	#14
DC_40gallon Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,474	I have a 40breeder and love it. It's deep but still shallow for me to easily get my hand in the bottom if necessary but it is wide and still 3 feet long!