46 Gallon Bow Front Setup Help

ans72686 · 03/28/2006, 10:45 PM

I have a 46 gal. bow front freshwater that I want to make into a saltwater. I have a eheim canister filter up to 60 gal., aquaclear 50 gal., and custom hood w/ 2 x 13w 10000k/deep blue combo actinic and 2 x 36w 6700k.

I know that I will need a sump (20 gal?), protein skimmer, and metal halide.

Will I need a Refugium? Is SeaClone Protein Skimmers any good? What about a 175w MH?

I would love for anyone's feedback with help and suggestions.

Thanks

drunktank · 03/28/2006, 10:49 PM

I ran my old 46g w/ a sump that was 15gallons. I had regular PC's and a berlin turbo skimmer and a fluval 404. Sieos as power heads and a heater. and it ran beautifully

just remember when u change over to add the salt

duerr · 03/28/2006, 11:11 PM

first thing I'de do is find out if your tank can be drilled. If so, get your holes drilled for your drain and return, and then make your own sump. (meleevsreef.com has lots of designs) incorporate your refugium into your sump, and you'll be set.

As far as lights go, I'de try to get two 175W MH's on each side, (I'de go with Ushio 14K bulbs), get as long as a Compact Flourescent Supplemental in the back, and as long as a CFL Supp. in the back.

Sk8r · 03/29/2006, 12:14 AM

Whether your tank can be drilled depends on one thing: is the bottom tempered glass? You can often see a little mark etched into the extreme edge of tempered glass: it can't tell you it isn't, but it can at least tell you it is definitely, if you find that mark. If it is tempered, do not drill it: it would shatter.

ans72686 · 03/29/2006, 12:16 AM

Wouldn't two 175w MH be too much?

ans72686 · 03/29/2006, 12:20 AM

My tank is tempered. But I thought that only the bottoms were?

kau_cinta_ku · 03/29/2006, 12:41 AM

the prob. with only having 1 MH is that the center brace will leave a shadow having 2 you can have them on each side of the brace. and to much all depends on what you want to keep. i prefer to have T5's over MH but thats just my opinion

msudawgs56 · 03/29/2006, 10:00 AM

I have a 46 bow that i recently set up about 2 1/2 months ago..
I have one aqua clear 50, aqua c remora hob skimmer and 4 powerheads for water movement. i have 40 lbs of base rock and 30 lbs of lalo live rock in there for filtration. Right now im using a standard double flourecent strip light until i get enough saved up for my tek t-5 fixture. I wouldnt worry about m/h unless you want the shimmer effect..that tank is plenty shallow enough to get t-5's with individual reflectors ..saves on electricity, heat,ect...

goodluck..

ERICN · 03/29/2006, 11:06 AM

Seaclone is garbage plz don't buy that skimmer. The skimmer is the most important piece of equipment for the tank so keep most the budget for that id say

03/28/2006, 10:45 PM	#1
ans72686 Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Louisville, Kentucky Posts: 3	46 Gallon Bow Front Setup Help I have a 46 gal. bow front freshwater that I want to make into a saltwater. I have a eheim canister filter up to 60 gal., aquaclear 50 gal., and custom hood w/ 2 x 13w 10000k/deep blue combo actinic and 2 x 36w 6700k. I know that I will need a sump (20 gal?), protein skimmer, and metal halide. Will I need a Refugium? Is SeaClone Protein Skimmers any good? What about a 175w MH? I would love for anyone's feedback with help and suggestions. Thanks

03/29/2006, 12:14 AM	#4
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Whether your tank can be drilled depends on one thing: is the bottom tempered glass? You can often see a little mark etched into the extreme edge of tempered glass: it can't tell you it isn't, but it can at least tell you it is definitely, if you find that mark. If it is tempered, do not drill it: it would shatter. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

03/29/2006, 10:00 AM	#8
msudawgs56 Go Dawgs! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Mississippi Posts: 170	I have a 46 bow that i recently set up about 2 1/2 months ago.. I have one aqua clear 50, aqua c remora hob skimmer and 4 powerheads for water movement. i have 40 lbs of base rock and 30 lbs of lalo live rock in there for filtration. Right now im using a standard double flourecent strip light until i get enough saved up for my tek t-5 fixture. I wouldnt worry about m/h unless you want the shimmer effect..that tank is plenty shallow enough to get t-5's with individual reflectors ..saves on electricity, heat,ect... goodluck.. __________________ Mississippi State University Bulldogs!

03/28/2006, 10:49 PM	#2
drunktank Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 404	I ran my old 46g w/ a sump that was 15gallons. I had regular PC's and a berlin turbo skimmer and a fluval 404. Sieos as power heads and a heater. and it ran beautifully just remember when u change over to add the salt

03/28/2006, 11:11 PM	#3
duerr Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kansas City Posts: 49	first thing I'de do is find out if your tank can be drilled. If so, get your holes drilled for your drain and return, and then make your own sump. (meleevsreef.com has lots of designs) incorporate your refugium into your sump, and you'll be set. As far as lights go, I'de try to get two 175W MH's on each side, (I'de go with Ushio 14K bulbs), get as long as a Compact Flourescent Supplemental in the back, and as long as a CFL Supp. in the back.

03/29/2006, 12:16 AM	#5
ans72686 Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Louisville, Kentucky Posts: 3	Wouldn't two 175w MH be too much?

03/29/2006, 12:20 AM	#6
ans72686 Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Louisville, Kentucky Posts: 3	My tank is tempered. But I thought that only the bottoms were?

03/29/2006, 12:41 AM	#7
kau_cinta_ku Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,669	the prob. with only having 1 MH is that the center brace will leave a shadow having 2 you can have them on each side of the brace. and to much all depends on what you want to keep. i prefer to have T5's over MH but thats just my opinion

03/29/2006, 11:06 AM	#9
ERICN Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: MISSOURI Posts: 310	Seaclone is garbage plz don't buy that skimmer. The skimmer is the most important piece of equipment for the tank so keep most the budget for that id say