converting to a reef tank..

Chef Reef · 09/16/2007, 12:02 PM

what are some good equipment to use to make my 30 FOWLR tank a reef tank? its 36Lx12Wx17H. i would like to make it an SPS and fish tank. what kind of lighting should i use would T5's be ok since its kinda shallow or do i need the MH? what size? weblinks? what about a sump i currently have a 10 gal sump is that big enough? Flow is also another question, what would you best recomend? do you need a chiller? my house doesnt get about 80 deg but usually stay at 70-75 deg. the tank as of right now the temp is 81 deg which is its normal? is this to high?

any other comments would be great thanks in advanced.

tkeracer619 · 09/16/2007, 12:40 PM

I would go with T5's due to the size of the tank. If you go with halides 150/175W would be plenty.

Chef Reef · 09/16/2007, 01:03 PM

http://www.hamiltontechnology.com/sh...eefstar&shop=1

out of the ones that are one sale for 99 buck which is the best? or are they all crap? any specific brand i should look at?

Chef Reef · 09/16/2007, 01:08 PM

also on the MH does it need to have some Fluorescent on it? im not to good and this lighting stuff yet. whats the difference between retro fit and the other styles? and a very stupid question .. what is a ballasts used for? whats it do? required? if i need Fluorescents should they be regular Fluorescents or compact Fluorescents? and should it be 10k or 20k? whats the best?

tkeracer619 · 09/16/2007, 01:17 PM

A retro is something that needs to be assembled into a canopy to work properly.

The ballasta convert home electricity to high voltage and drives the blubs.

10K would probably be too yellow without actinics. 20K is very blue. 14k is a nice balance that might not require actinics.

Chef Reef · 09/16/2007, 01:25 PM

thanks that cleared up alot. so if i have an open top what kind of fitting do i need to have?

Chef Reef · 09/16/2007, 05:16 PM

bump

09/16/2007, 12:02 PM	#1
Chef Reef Moved On Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Hallandale, FL Posts: 2,189	converting to a reef tank.. what are some good equipment to use to make my 30 FOWLR tank a reef tank? its 36Lx12Wx17H. i would like to make it an SPS and fish tank. what kind of lighting should i use would T5's be ok since its kinda shallow or do i need the MH? what size? weblinks? what about a sump i currently have a 10 gal sump is that big enough? Flow is also another question, what would you best recomend? do you need a chiller? my house doesnt get about 80 deg but usually stay at 70-75 deg. the tank as of right now the temp is 81 deg which is its normal? is this to high? any other comments would be great thanks in advanced.

09/16/2007, 12:40 PM	#2
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	I would go with T5's due to the size of the tank. If you go with halides 150/175W would be plenty. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

09/16/2007, 01:17 PM	#5
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	A retro is something that needs to be assembled into a canopy to work properly. The ballasta convert home electricity to high voltage and drives the blubs. 10K would probably be too yellow without actinics. 20K is very blue. 14k is a nice balance that might not require actinics. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

09/16/2007, 01:03 PM	#3
Chef Reef Moved On Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Hallandale, FL Posts: 2,189	http://www.hamiltontechnology.com/sh...eefstar&shop=1 out of the ones that are one sale for 99 buck which is the best? or are they all crap? any specific brand i should look at?

09/16/2007, 01:08 PM	#4
Chef Reef Moved On Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Hallandale, FL Posts: 2,189	also on the MH does it need to have some Fluorescent on it? im not to good and this lighting stuff yet. whats the difference between retro fit and the other styles? and a very stupid question .. what is a ballasts used for? whats it do? required? if i need Fluorescents should they be regular Fluorescents or compact Fluorescents? and should it be 10k or 20k? whats the best?

09/16/2007, 01:25 PM	#6
Chef Reef Moved On Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Hallandale, FL Posts: 2,189	thanks that cleared up alot. so if i have an open top what kind of fitting do i need to have?

09/16/2007, 05:16 PM	#7
Chef Reef Moved On Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Hallandale, FL Posts: 2,189	bump