first SW tank

3nascar8 · 06/28/2007, 06:15 PM

Hello RC, Thanks for th esuggestions and help.

OK i have a 600g 96"x48"x30" with 3 9x9 overflows with 2" bulkheads and have 6-1" returns 4 on the back wall and 1 in each corner of the front.

Setup a reef with fish, But im lost to the lighting becuase i have read that MH are good but than in another thread i see thaqt t-5 are justas good. so what does everyone think, also this is going to be a 6-9 months project if it dont end up at the 1 year make, Im going to do most is it DIY like rock, skimmer( maybe with some help on here frmo someone $$$)

I have read for the last year on this subject but everytime i thing i have a plan it changes becuase someone has a diffrent idea and it throws me off,

I was into cichlids very much and have plenty of filteration to use or can build like trickle towers with bio media ( i know it produces nitrates) so its best to go with a refudge off time with is no problem.

Thanks For all your help and God bless you all

fish2 · 06/28/2007, 06:22 PM

it depends on the species of coral. if you do a lot of softies they do very well on pc.s and some lps. it depends on the watts your punching you can get pc,s that punch 250 and mhs to or can go all the way up 400. in my shop i have softys on 250, sps and lps on 400 and frags on 400

fish2 · 06/28/2007, 06:23 PM

the shallower the tank the the deeper the light penetrates

3nascar8 · 06/28/2007, 07:34 PM

Thansk for the fast reply my tank is 30" deep so i might have to go with teh MH at 400 because right now i really dont know which type of corals i plan on doing but i want to be covered if i want to do any of them. Thanks carl

fish2 · 06/28/2007, 07:37 PM

no prob have fun

fish2 · 06/28/2007, 07:38 PM

use the 20 ks bulbs they will show nice

purza_00 · 06/28/2007, 08:11 PM

I know someone with a 600g and he removed his 400w mh's and went with all T-5's. He said less heat, less electric bill, and they do just as good. He has plenty of sps corals.

I suggest you go to the "Large Reef Tank" forum if you haven't already. Tanks that large have unique problems That only someone with a large tank may have encountered. Good luck with your build.

3nascar8 · 06/28/2007, 11:37 PM

Thanks for the heads up all and I noticed most have changed MH to T5 and thats what has me doing this post now, but it looks like it comes down to preffence

Nano Chris · 06/29/2007, 07:09 AM

If i was to have a 600g tank, i would go 400w MH's or maybe 1000w MH's for a deeper tank.

BigScott · 06/29/2007, 07:42 AM

look at this link hope it helps..

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showt...345#post9021345

scott

06/28/2007, 06:15 PM	#1
3nascar8 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 25	first SW tank Hello RC, Thanks for th esuggestions and help. OK i have a 600g 96"x48"x30" with 3 9x9 overflows with 2" bulkheads and have 6-1" returns 4 on the back wall and 1 in each corner of the front. Setup a reef with fish, But im lost to the lighting becuase i have read that MH are good but than in another thread i see thaqt t-5 are justas good. so what does everyone think, also this is going to be a 6-9 months project if it dont end up at the 1 year make, Im going to do most is it DIY like rock, skimmer( maybe with some help on here frmo someone $$$) I have read for the last year on this subject but everytime i thing i have a plan it changes becuase someone has a diffrent idea and it throws me off, I was into cichlids very much and have plenty of filteration to use or can build like trickle towers with bio media ( i know it produces nitrates) so its best to go with a refudge off time with is no problem. Thanks For all your help and God bless you all __________________ Fixing to setup my first tank 375g Current Tank Info: used 375 just starting

06/28/2007, 06:22 PM	#2
fish2 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: fordland mo Posts: 170	it depends on the species of coral. if you do a lot of softies they do very well on pc.s and some lps. it depends on the watts your punching you can get pc,s that punch 250 and mhs to or can go all the way up 400. in my shop i have softys on 250, sps and lps on 400 and frags on 400 __________________ reefing is like a box of chocolates you never know what your going to get Current Tank Info: 92 bow 40+ corals

06/28/2007, 06:23 PM	#3
fish2 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: fordland mo Posts: 170	the shallower the tank the the deeper the light penetrates __________________ reefing is like a box of chocolates you never know what your going to get Current Tank Info: 92 bow 40+ corals

06/28/2007, 07:34 PM	#4
3nascar8 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 25	30" deep Thansk for the fast reply my tank is 30" deep so i might have to go with teh MH at 400 because right now i really dont know which type of corals i plan on doing but i want to be covered if i want to do any of them. Thanks carl __________________ Fixing to setup my first tank 375g Current Tank Info: used 375 just starting

06/28/2007, 07:37 PM	#5
fish2 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: fordland mo Posts: 170	no prob have fun __________________ reefing is like a box of chocolates you never know what your going to get Current Tank Info: 92 bow 40+ corals

06/28/2007, 07:38 PM	#6
fish2 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: fordland mo Posts: 170	use the 20 ks bulbs they will show nice __________________ reefing is like a box of chocolates you never know what your going to get Current Tank Info: 92 bow 40+ corals

06/28/2007, 08:11 PM	#7
purza_00 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 320	I know someone with a 600g and he removed his 400w mh's and went with all T-5's. He said less heat, less electric bill, and they do just as good. He has plenty of sps corals. I suggest you go to the "Large Reef Tank" forum if you haven't already. Tanks that large have unique problems That only someone with a large tank may have encountered. Good luck with your build.

06/28/2007, 11:37 PM	#8
3nascar8 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 25	Thanks for the heads up all and I noticed most have changed MH to T5 and thats what has me doing this post now, but it looks like it comes down to preffence __________________ Fixing to setup my first tank 375g Current Tank Info: used 375 just starting

06/29/2007, 07:09 AM	#9
Nano Chris Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 2,758	If i was to have a 600g tank, i would go 400w MH's or maybe 1000w MH's for a deeper tank. __________________ Chris ------- 34 Gallon Red Sea Max 130! Setup (Just got back into the hobby) Current Tank Info: 34 Gallon RedSeaMax!

06/29/2007, 07:42 AM	#10
BigScott Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: norman , okla Posts: 2,267	look at this link hope it helps.. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showt...345#post9021345 scott __________________ Big ScoTT just stoppin in to say hello.. Current Tank Info: one 40 breeder,40 long sump..t5 lights an a 50 gallon in the works..if i ever get a truck to move it..