thinking about setting up a reef ready 30 gallon!!

aqua_reef_01 · 01/03/2010, 10:29 PM

As it says I am thinking about setting up a 30L reef ready tank. I was wondering what kind of lighting I should use. I am planning on mostly having LPS but some SPS. the tank is only 12" deep so I was wondering if 2x 150W metal halides would be too much for the coral or 2x 70w metal halides, or even a 4x54W T5 setup. Which sounds better? also 20long sump, or 10gallon sump? Thank you for viewing.

sedor · 01/03/2010, 10:39 PM

I would probably go with the T5 setup on that tank. It would be between the 150's and the T5 though, scratch the 70's all together IMO.

fox2589 · 01/03/2010, 10:44 PM

agreed i would go t5 or maybe one 150 watt on a good reflector..also go with the 20 long for the sump..-Drew

fox2589 · 01/03/2010, 10:45 PM

missed the 12" deep..i would go t5's for sure..-Drew

aqua_reef_01 · 01/03/2010, 10:50 PM

thanks for the help!!! So the 150's would probably melt down some coral?, and would everything thrive under the T5's?

Rowe78 · 01/03/2010, 10:54 PM

I agree go with the t5s. I have a 250w hqi over our 34g salona. No problems.

singold · 01/03/2010, 11:11 PM

T5's, cheaper bulbs to replace also.

Daimyo68 · 01/03/2010, 11:11 PM

With the length of that tank (typical 30L), a single halide wouldn't give you enough coverage. Go with a T5 fixture. You'll be happier and so will your wallet

Also, are you sure the depth is 12"? Is it a custom built tank?

Misterchinn · 01/04/2010, 12:07 AM

I have a sump/fuge with about the same dimensions of a 20L, not sure how you're setting yours up, but using mine as a fuge, it actually only holds about 12 gallons. So I think that'd work as a sump.

I think with a relatively small display tank the bigger the sump the better, just to increase the amount of water and capacity for things like live rock, a skimmer a longer heater and/or a refugium.

A 10 gallon would only hold about 6-7 gallons, which doesn't increase your volume much or allow you to house very much equipment.

bianjd · 01/04/2010, 01:46 AM

T-5's and the 20L for the sump

aqua_reef_01 · 01/04/2010, 04:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daimyo68

With the length of that tank (typical 30L), a single halide wouldn't give you enough coverage. Go with a T5 fixture. You'll be happier and so will your wallet

Also, are you sure the depth is 12"? Is it a custom built tank?

Yeah its 12" x 12" x 48" Its a display from a fish store I have about 4 of them lol. but it looks like the perfect reef tank thats why i want to use it but not completely sure yet. right now i use it to mix my water lol.

Daimyo68 · 01/04/2010, 07:15 AM

That would explain the depth.

T5's will work fine as mentioned, and you should be able to keep all kinds of LPS, SPS.

I missed the sump question, but as bianjd said, a 20L would be the way to go.

jong11 · 01/04/2010, 02:21 PM

I would get a 30 gal breeder instead, 36x18x12. This will give you a greater width. I would also get a 20gal long. I'm actually in the process of setting up this same reef tank. I'm going with T5 blubs as well.

jlevs · 01/04/2010, 05:39 PM

just found someone selling bare ballast and waterproof endcaps for $25 runs 2 bulbs....southjersery craigslist under search under coral

aqua_reef_01 · 01/04/2010, 07:03 PM

Wow thank you all for the responses. I didn't actually think i would have this many reply's lol. I guess now I'm gonna have to check craigslist for the T5's, but as for setting up a different tank I think I'm gonna pass for now. this tank is drilled, and ready to go. I think it would really stand out, and be different. The extra 6" in width would be nice though.

NirvanaFan · 01/04/2010, 07:05 PM

I agree with going with the t5s as well. Get a good 4 bulb fixture, or do a retrofit and you'll be able to keep anything you want.

aqua_reef_01 · 01/04/2010, 07:26 PM

Ok i now have a new question should I use 2 bulbs or 4? 108w would give me 3.6 watts per gallon, and 216 watts would give me 7.2 watts per gallon. would the 4 bulb system give me too much light? Also would any brand of T5's work well, and give off enough light?

NirvanaFan · 01/04/2010, 07:36 PM

I would go with the 4.

aqua_reef_01 · 01/04/2010, 08:45 PM

what kind of nano skimmer should I get?

01/03/2010, 10:29 PM	#1
aqua_reef_01 Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: ravenna, ohio Posts: 211	thinking about setting up a reef ready 30 gallon!! As it says I am thinking about setting up a 30L reef ready tank. I was wondering what kind of lighting I should use. I am planning on mostly having LPS but some SPS. the tank is only 12" deep so I was wondering if 2x 150W metal halides would be too much for the coral or 2x 70w metal halides, or even a 4x54W T5 setup. Which sounds better? also 20long sump, or 10gallon sump? Thank you for viewing.

01/03/2010, 10:39 PM	#2
sedor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,689	I would probably go with the T5 setup on that tank. It would be between the 150's and the T5 though, scratch the 70's all together IMO. __________________ Ryan

01/03/2010, 10:44 PM	#3
fox2589 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Indiana Posts: 557	agreed i would go t5 or maybe one 150 watt on a good reflector..also go with the 20 long for the sump..-Drew __________________ Back in the game.and no its not the first time haha. Current Tank Info: 40 breeder,20 gallon sump,bubble magus nac 6,eheim 1250 return,175 halide on lumenarc mini.

01/03/2010, 10:45 PM	#4
fox2589 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Indiana Posts: 557	missed the 12" deep..i would go t5's for sure..-Drew __________________ Back in the game.and no its not the first time haha. Current Tank Info: 40 breeder,20 gallon sump,bubble magus nac 6,eheim 1250 return,175 halide on lumenarc mini.

01/03/2010, 11:11 PM	#7
singold Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Lake Saint Louis, Missouri Posts: 1,827	T5's, cheaper bulbs to replace also. __________________ "If there is no wind.....row." Current Tank Info: 75gal Reef w/29gal Refugium

01/03/2010, 10:50 PM	#5
aqua_reef_01 Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: ravenna, ohio Posts: 211	thanks for the help!!! So the 150's would probably melt down some coral?, and would everything thrive under the T5's?

01/03/2010, 10:54 PM	#6
Rowe78 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: KCMO Posts: 38	I agree go with the t5s. I have a 250w hqi over our 34g salona. No problems.

01/03/2010, 11:11 PM	#8
Daimyo68 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: North Palm Beach, FL Posts: 2,270	With the length of that tank (typical 30L), a single halide wouldn't give you enough coverage. Go with a T5 fixture. You'll be happier and so will your wallet Also, are you sure the depth is 12"? Is it a custom built tank? __________________ 120g, 50g Sump, SRO XP2000i, MP40W x2, DIY Hybrid LED/T5 Fixture, Apex PBMAS VP 2010-11 PBMAS 2017 President

01/04/2010, 12:07 AM	#9
Misterchinn Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 84	I have a sump/fuge with about the same dimensions of a 20L, not sure how you're setting yours up, but using mine as a fuge, it actually only holds about 12 gallons. So I think that'd work as a sump. I think with a relatively small display tank the bigger the sump the better, just to increase the amount of water and capacity for things like live rock, a skimmer a longer heater and/or a refugium. A 10 gallon would only hold about 6-7 gallons, which doesn't increase your volume much or allow you to house very much equipment. __________________ -CC Current Tank Info: 26gal, 20 gal sump/fuge (13 gal of water) with skimmer and Chaeto, ~25#'s of LR. 1 ocellaris clown, 1 royal gramma, 2 turbo snails, 2 red legged hermit crabs. Mushroom corals and Zoathids.

01/04/2010, 01:46 AM	#10
bianjd Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: NWI Posts: 133	T-5's and the 20L for the sump __________________ EVERY SONG HAS AN END IS THAT ANY REASON NOT TO ENJOY THE MUSIC?!!! Current Tank Info: 120 gal. in-wall reef tank with fish

01/04/2010, 07:15 AM	#12
Daimyo68 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: North Palm Beach, FL Posts: 2,270	That would explain the depth. T5's will work fine as mentioned, and you should be able to keep all kinds of LPS, SPS. I missed the sump question, but as bianjd said, a 20L would be the way to go. __________________ 120g, 50g Sump, SRO XP2000i, MP40W x2, DIY Hybrid LED/T5 Fixture, Apex PBMAS VP 2010-11 PBMAS 2017 President

01/04/2010, 02:21 PM	#13
jong11 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Maine Posts: 396	I would get a 30 gal breeder instead, 36x18x12. This will give you a greater width. I would also get a 20gal long. I'm actually in the process of setting up this same reef tank. I'm going with T5 blubs as well.

01/04/2010, 05:39 PM	#14
jlevs Registered Member. Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 96	t5 ballasts on craiglist for cheap just found someone selling bare ballast and waterproof endcaps for $25 runs 2 bulbs....southjersery craigslist under search under coral

01/04/2010, 07:03 PM	#15
aqua_reef_01 Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: ravenna, ohio Posts: 211	Wow thank you all for the responses. I didn't actually think i would have this many reply's lol. I guess now I'm gonna have to check craigslist for the T5's, but as for setting up a different tank I think I'm gonna pass for now. this tank is drilled, and ready to go. I think it would really stand out, and be different. The extra 6" in width would be nice though.

01/04/2010, 07:05 PM	#16
NirvanaFan Reef Ninja Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 4,280	I agree with going with the t5s as well. Get a good 4 bulb fixture, or do a retrofit and you'll be able to keep anything you want.

01/04/2010, 07:26 PM	#17
aqua_reef_01 Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: ravenna, ohio Posts: 211	Ok i now have a new question should I use 2 bulbs or 4? 108w would give me 3.6 watts per gallon, and 216 watts would give me 7.2 watts per gallon. would the 4 bulb system give me too much light? Also would any brand of T5's work well, and give off enough light?

01/04/2010, 07:36 PM	#18
NirvanaFan Reef Ninja Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 4,280	I would go with the 4.

01/04/2010, 08:45 PM	#19
aqua_reef_01 Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: ravenna, ohio Posts: 211	what kind of nano skimmer should I get?