HELP! Questions for new setup

motlot77 · 07/12/2006, 03:41 PM

hey all,

i'm new to this website and forum and wanted to say hi. there is so much good reading on this site!

i've had my tank down for about 4 years now. i'm ready to put it back up again and have a few questions for all of you.

it's a 26 gallon tank and i'm going reef with it--like before. i had some success with a couple soft corals, a brain coral, and a few fish.

so this time around i'm keeping my same 26 gal tank but i'm upgrading all the equipment. this is where i have questions.

i want to do a sump for my tank and am wondering about the equipment i need. i know i need an overflow unit since my tank is not drilled. and i guess i need the pump? what type? i've read that a venturi powerhead will work? is this accurate? anything else i need for a sump?

also, i'm going to use a cannister filter. will this be good for use with a sump?

and my final question: i have compact fluorescent lights. do you think this is sufficient for hard and soft corals? should i just go with soft corals with compact fluorescent lighting? what rating of bulb should i go with?

thanks for the help!

graveyardworm · 07/12/2006, 04:07 PM

Get the tank drilled you'll be happier with it later, forget about the canister filter unless you plan to use it for holding media like carbon, a skimmer would be a good purchase. How many watts are the PC's?

motlot77 · 07/12/2006, 04:55 PM

the pc's i was using the last time i had it setup were a 55w blue actinic, and a 55w daylight 10,000k.

i thought you still need a filter when going with a sump? do you use any type of filter?

McCrary · 07/12/2006, 05:06 PM

If you drill your 26 you can use a 10 gallon tank to hold the skimmer and heater. The filtration is accomplished by your protein skimmer and the live rock. Often remote Deep Sand Beds and refugiums are employed to keep nutrients and nitrates low. Canister filters usually produce a lot of nitrates, unless they hold only medias like carbon. A good protein skimmer will be a good investment.

motlot77 · 07/12/2006, 05:50 PM

what do you think of my lighting...is this sufficient to keep corals, hard and soft? or should i just stick to soft?

graveyardworm · 07/12/2006, 06:28 PM

Your lighting should be sufficient for soft corals, and some stony corals, research your purchases first.

07/12/2006, 03:41 PM	#1
motlot77 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: bay area Posts: 355	HELP! Questions for new setup hey all, i'm new to this website and forum and wanted to say hi. there is so much good reading on this site! i've had my tank down for about 4 years now. i'm ready to put it back up again and have a few questions for all of you. it's a 26 gallon tank and i'm going reef with it--like before. i had some success with a couple soft corals, a brain coral, and a few fish. so this time around i'm keeping my same 26 gal tank but i'm upgrading all the equipment. this is where i have questions. i want to do a sump for my tank and am wondering about the equipment i need. i know i need an overflow unit since my tank is not drilled. and i guess i need the pump? what type? i've read that a venturi powerhead will work? is this accurate? anything else i need for a sump? also, i'm going to use a cannister filter. will this be good for use with a sump? and my final question: i have compact fluorescent lights. do you think this is sufficient for hard and soft corals? should i just go with soft corals with compact fluorescent lighting? what rating of bulb should i go with? thanks for the help!

07/12/2006, 04:07 PM	#2
graveyardworm Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nottingham, NH Posts: 7,251	Get the tank drilled you'll be happier with it later, forget about the canister filter unless you plan to use it for holding media like carbon, a skimmer would be a good purchase. How many watts are the PC's? __________________ -David- President - New Hampshire Reef Club There’ll be no one to save, with the world in a grave Current Tank Info: 100 gal lagoon/seagrass, 100 gal sump, Lifereef 72" skimmer, 180 inwall, 125 inwall seagrass/lagoon in progress

07/12/2006, 04:55 PM	#3
motlot77 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: bay area Posts: 355	the pc's i was using the last time i had it setup were a 55w blue actinic, and a 55w daylight 10,000k. i thought you still need a filter when going with a sump? do you use any type of filter? __________________ "I don't trust or love anyone. Because people are so creepy. Creepy creepy creeps. Creeping around. Creeping here and creeping there. Creeping everywhere. Crippity crappity creepies." Current Tank Info: 25 gal tall, 2 x 65w pc, aqua c remora hob skimmer, fluval for flow and carbon

07/12/2006, 05:06 PM	#4
McCrary Can't Stop Time Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,079	If you drill your 26 you can use a 10 gallon tank to hold the skimmer and heater. The filtration is accomplished by your protein skimmer and the live rock. Often remote Deep Sand Beds and refugiums are employed to keep nutrients and nitrates low. Canister filters usually produce a lot of nitrates, unless they hold only medias like carbon. A good protein skimmer will be a good investment. __________________ Matt Patience is the best remedy for every trouble. Titus Maccius Plautus (254 BC - 184 BC), Rudens

07/12/2006, 05:50 PM	#5
motlot77 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: bay area Posts: 355	what do you think of my lighting...is this sufficient to keep corals, hard and soft? or should i just stick to soft? __________________ "I don't trust or love anyone. Because people are so creepy. Creepy creepy creeps. Creeping around. Creeping here and creeping there. Creeping everywhere. Crippity crappity creepies." Current Tank Info: 25 gal tall, 2 x 65w pc, aqua c remora hob skimmer, fluval for flow and carbon

07/12/2006, 06:28 PM	#6
graveyardworm Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nottingham, NH Posts: 7,251	Your lighting should be sufficient for soft corals, and some stony corals, research your purchases first. __________________ -David- President - New Hampshire Reef Club There’ll be no one to save, with the world in a grave Current Tank Info: 100 gal lagoon/seagrass, 100 gal sump, Lifereef 72" skimmer, 180 inwall, 125 inwall seagrass/lagoon in progress