Starting up my first reef

amwilkie · 11/03/2009, 01:17 AM

Hello Everyone, I've been trolling around here for a while now, but this is my first post. I have a 120 Gallon All-Glass Tank which is set up for freshwater. I've decided to start up a reef tank. This is what I've come up with so far. Let me know what you guys think.

Lighting:

either the Hamilton Cebu Sun with 2-250 watt Metal Halides with 4-54 watt HO Super Actinic T5

or the Hamilton Deluxe with 2-250 watt Metal Halides with 2-54 watt HO Super Actinic T5

Whichever one I choose I'll probably use 14000k bulbs and use electronic ballast instead of the magnetic one. I'm not sure which one of the two will be better for my application. I would like to grow mostly Softies, SPS, and a few LPS and the tank is 24" tall. I chose those light systems because they seem to have better reflectors than most fixtures in the same price and power range.

Filtration:

Live Rock

Approx 30 Gallon Sump with a refugium

Bubble King 180

Two LIttle fishies Phosban reactor running carbon and phosphate remover

I'm going to pick up one of the kits from glass-hole.com. I'm not sure yet which one and I haven't figured out what return pump I will use.

Other Equipment:

JBJ Auto Top Off System

MTC Minical Reactor

I keep switching back and forth between running a Tunze Turbelle wave system or Ecotech Vortech system. I'll probably just use some Koralia pumps for water flow until I can make up my mind and save up some money.

I'm also going to pick up an RO/DI unit from Aquasafe Canada

Sorry for the long post just wanted to make sure I'm on the right track for my choices. Right now Im more concerned with picking the right light for my application.

11/03/2009, 01:17 AM	#1
amwilkie Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 2	Starting up my first reef Hello Everyone, I've been trolling around here for a while now, but this is my first post. I have a 120 Gallon All-Glass Tank which is set up for freshwater. I've decided to start up a reef tank. This is what I've come up with so far. Let me know what you guys think. Lighting: either the Hamilton Cebu Sun with 2-250 watt Metal Halides with 4-54 watt HO Super Actinic T5 or the Hamilton Deluxe with 2-250 watt Metal Halides with 2-54 watt HO Super Actinic T5 Whichever one I choose I'll probably use 14000k bulbs and use electronic ballast instead of the magnetic one. I'm not sure which one of the two will be better for my application. I would like to grow mostly Softies, SPS, and a few LPS and the tank is 24" tall. I chose those light systems because they seem to have better reflectors than most fixtures in the same price and power range. Filtration: Live Rock Approx 30 Gallon Sump with a refugium Bubble King 180 Two LIttle fishies Phosban reactor running carbon and phosphate remover I'm going to pick up one of the kits from glass-hole.com. I'm not sure yet which one and I haven't figured out what return pump I will use. Other Equipment: JBJ Auto Top Off System MTC Minical Reactor I keep switching back and forth between running a Tunze Turbelle wave system or Ecotech Vortech system. I'll probably just use some Koralia pumps for water flow until I can make up my mind and save up some money. I'm also going to pick up an RO/DI unit from Aquasafe Canada Sorry for the long post just wanted to make sure I'm on the right track for my choices. Right now Im more concerned with picking the right light for my application.