moving up in saltwater

grendel1013 · 06/12/2006, 01:43 PM

I have been keeping a fish only for about 14 months with great success. now I am planning on moving up to fish and liverock with some soft corals.What kind of lighting should I use,and what is the watt per gallon ratio? Currently I have a 72 gallon bowfront.

Also if anyone has any suggestions as to where online I can purchase the best live rock and lighting for the best prices I would be forever grateful.

DJM28064212 · 06/12/2006, 03:23 PM

Well I am assuming that you will still have fish in your tank while adding live rock. So I suggest getting it from a LPS so it is cured. I would not trust LR that has been out of water for shipping. Second, if you just want soft corals you could go with a PC or a T5HO fixture, but think about what you will want to do in a few months when your corals are doing fine. I would look into a few T5HO (maybe 6 with reflectors on Icecap ballasts) so you can later upgrade to LPS and SPS. Also, consider MH they are great. I would think 2 250w MH with either VHO or the new UV t5 actinics. I hope that helps

grendel1013 · 06/12/2006, 11:38 PM

Thanks alot for the info. Eventually I plan on moving up to a full reef. Just figured taking it one step at a time will be more effective.

LBCBJ · 06/13/2006, 10:09 AM

I just ordered some liverock from reefscience.com after researching for weeks, and it is by far the best live rock I've ever seen, and I've ordered from several different suppliers. Chad, the owner, only carriers Indonesian, and it's only $6.25/lb, which is a steal. Any rock I've ever seen at a LFS was crap. If you want only softies you could use 2 150's or 2 175w MH or T5's. If would like to see pics of Chad's rock I can send you a few. HTH

smariner · 06/18/2006, 07:33 PM

Thanks for recommending us LBCBJ!

We greatly appreciate it!

Thanks again,
Chad D. Bryant

06/12/2006, 01:43 PM	#1
grendel1013 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: bristol,ct Posts: 10	moving up in saltwater I have been keeping a fish only for about 14 months with great success. now I am planning on moving up to fish and liverock with some soft corals.What kind of lighting should I use,and what is the watt per gallon ratio? Currently I have a 72 gallon bowfront. Also if anyone has any suggestions as to where online I can purchase the best live rock and lighting for the best prices I would be forever grateful. __________________ Grendel1013 Current Tank Info: 72 gal. bowfront salt tank

06/12/2006, 11:38 PM	#3
grendel1013 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: bristol,ct Posts: 10	Thanks alot for the info. Eventually I plan on moving up to a full reef. Just figured taking it one step at a time will be more effective. __________________ Grendel1013 Current Tank Info: 72 gal. bowfront salt tank

06/13/2006, 10:09 AM	#4
LBCBJ Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Richmond, Va Posts: 1,332	I just ordered some liverock from reefscience.com after researching for weeks, and it is by far the best live rock I've ever seen, and I've ordered from several different suppliers. Chad, the owner, only carriers Indonesian, and it's only $6.25/lb, which is a steal. Any rock I've ever seen at a LFS was crap. If you want only softies you could use 2 150's or 2 175w MH or T5's. If would like to see pics of Chad's rock I can send you a few. HTH __________________ Brent

06/12/2006, 03:23 PM	#2
DJM28064212 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Blacksburg, Va Posts: 70	Well I am assuming that you will still have fish in your tank while adding live rock. So I suggest getting it from a LPS so it is cured. I would not trust LR that has been out of water for shipping. Second, if you just want soft corals you could go with a PC or a T5HO fixture, but think about what you will want to do in a few months when your corals are doing fine. I would look into a few T5HO (maybe 6 with reflectors on Icecap ballasts) so you can later upgrade to LPS and SPS. Also, consider MH they are great. I would think 2 250w MH with either VHO or the new UV t5 actinics. I hope that helps

06/18/2006, 07:33 PM	#5
smariner Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 900	Thanks for recommending us LBCBJ! We greatly appreciate it! Thanks again, Chad D. Bryant