going from fowlr to reef

gji · 04/29/2007, 05:03 PM

I need opinions please; I have a 180 gallon tank that I use to have fowlr. I moved about 3yrs ago and had to take down the tank at that time, i sold off all my live stock except about 70pds of base rock. Well the new house is finally completed of all the updates and now its time to get tank up and running again. I was thinking about going with a reef tank this time around. I was gonna put softies, lps, a few small reef fish and critters. These are the few things I know i need to upgrade to; 1.remove crushed coral substrate and replace with 180 pds of sand( opinions on sand please which size sand i need to go with or brand, preatty much overall everybody's favorites. I was also thinking about doing about 140pds dry sand and 40 pds of live sand) 2. remove bio balls and just use sump( was thinking about just using a 40gl breeder tank for a sump) 3. upgrade lighting( current lighting is a ice cap 430 and 2 72in 160watt vho.need opinion on what to upgrade to do i just get another ice cap 430 or 660 and run 2 more bulbs or 3 or do i go with the new t5 series i have now heard about, if so how many and what brand. I can't afford the new led lights $3,600.00.Don't want sps so don't need MH. 4. I need to add more live rock, was think about using my 70pds of base rock and adding another 110 pds live rock any info who has the best live rock for the price. use to get all my rock from harbour aquatics bu they have gone out of business. I know it will be at least 6-8 months of prep work before i add in corals. i ran my fowlr for about 9yrs before the move. I learned patience and reading will save you money in the long run!!!!!!

gji · 04/30/2007, 02:28 AM

tt

frederickk · 04/30/2007, 07:55 AM

Sounds all good. One thing though is I would be running 3x 250w MH instead to get more light in thereeven if you don't go SPS.

04/29/2007, 05:03 PM	#1
gji Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chicago/west beverly Posts: 73	going from fowlr to reef I need opinions please; I have a 180 gallon tank that I use to have fowlr. I moved about 3yrs ago and had to take down the tank at that time, i sold off all my live stock except about 70pds of base rock. Well the new house is finally completed of all the updates and now its time to get tank up and running again. I was thinking about going with a reef tank this time around. I was gonna put softies, lps, a few small reef fish and critters. These are the few things I know i need to upgrade to; 1.remove crushed coral substrate and replace with 180 pds of sand( opinions on sand please which size sand i need to go with or brand, preatty much overall everybody's favorites. I was also thinking about doing about 140pds dry sand and 40 pds of live sand) 2. remove bio balls and just use sump( was thinking about just using a 40gl breeder tank for a sump) 3. upgrade lighting( current lighting is a ice cap 430 and 2 72in 160watt vho.need opinion on what to upgrade to do i just get another ice cap 430 or 660 and run 2 more bulbs or 3 or do i go with the new t5 series i have now heard about, if so how many and what brand. I can't afford the new led lights $3,600.00.Don't want sps so don't need MH. 4. I need to add more live rock, was think about using my 70pds of base rock and adding another 110 pds live rock any info who has the best live rock for the price. use to get all my rock from harbour aquatics bu they have gone out of business. I know it will be at least 6-8 months of prep work before i add in corals. i ran my fowlr for about 9yrs before the move. I learned patience and reading will save you money in the long run!!!!!!

04/30/2007, 02:28 AM	#2
gji Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chicago/west beverly Posts: 73	tt

04/30/2007, 07:55 AM	#3
frederickk Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,712	Sounds all good. One thing though is I would be running 3x 250w MH instead to get more light in thereeven if you don't go SPS.