Stocking and Lighting advice please

pblogic · 12/15/2009, 10:42 PM

OK, so I've got most of my specs figured out at this point. 72G w/ 30 g sump and about 80lbs of rock

I'm going to get a pair of percula clowns, a little burrowing jawfish and an anemone for the clowns.

I really need to know what consideration I need for the anemone. I'm sure I'll want to add more to the tank eventually but these are the selections I want to build the reef on.

Any special lighting needs for the anemone? I was thinking like a tek 4 bulb t5 setup (tank is about 21 inches deep)

I also need a skimmer. The Reef octo 160 has been recommended and that's fine, it's just a bit expensive. Is there a skimmer that is of good quality that is maybe less expensive?

Thanks for any input

bertoni · 12/16/2009, 12:12 AM

The anemone will need good lighting. The Tek setup likely is fine. You'll want a unit with one reflector for each bulb.

I'm not very knowledgeable about skimmers, but you might want to look for a used skimmer. That might save some money.

Chiefsurfer · 12/16/2009, 05:25 AM

just beware, all nems will move to be comfortable. Bubble tips will stay relatively small, while carpets can get HUGE and live forever. Just letting you know. Also, unless they are very comfortable where they are, they will move around and destroy anything in its path. GL

champ128 · 12/16/2009, 06:22 AM

With skimmers it is betterto spend the money now or be dissapointed later. The only cheap skimmer i ever liked was the coral life super skimmer. I think it outperfomed my bm 160.

John Zillmer · 12/16/2009, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by champ128

The only cheap skimmer i ever liked was the coral life super skimmer.

I've heard this from people, too, but I could never get these things (used a couple) to work very well. Finicky thing, IME.

I like my Aquamedic Turboflotor 1000. Used, they are pretty cheap, I think.

pblogic · 12/16/2009, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefsurfer

just beware, all nems will move to be comfortable. Bubble tips will stay relatively small, while carpets can get HUGE and live forever. Just letting you know. Also, unless they are very comfortable where they are, they will move around and destroy anything in its path. GL

I haven't done much reading on anemone's specifically yet. I don't mind if they move around but don't want to get ones that grow huge. Just something has a home for the clowns that is pretty. I like the pinkish ones... this is one part of the setup I haven't gotten to reading up on yet...

I may just bite the bullet and go with the octo extreme 160 since everyone seems to like it so well.

If anyone want's to recommend lights I'm open to recommendations

bertoni · 12/16/2009, 04:59 PM

Small is a relative term. My RBTA was more than a foot across. I agree that many of the carpets can get far larger.

sbreefer · 12/16/2009, 05:12 PM

I would go with a 6 lamp I run an octo pro 300 and love it

pblogic · 12/16/2009, 05:29 PM

I guess by smaller I meant I don't intend it to dominate the entire tank. But I'll figure that out as I read about them. Thanks!

Chiefsurfer · 12/16/2009, 08:38 PM

yeah, nems can grow quite big. I think you can deminish that some by feeding on the lighter side, but you don't want to starve.

a LFS, near where my parents live, have "steve" the carpet anemone. He is in a 180 gallon tank, and is more than 4 ft in diameter, almost perfectly circular. "steve" is 22 years old, and been with it's clown host for all 22 years(supposedly).

pblogic · 12/16/2009, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefsurfer

yeah, nems can grow quite big. I think you can deminish that some by feeding on the lighter side, but you don't want to starve.

a LFS, near where my parents live, have "steve" the carpet anemone. He is in a 180 gallon tank, and is more than 4 ft in diameter, almost perfectly circular. "steve" is 22 years old, and been with it's clown host for all 22 years(supposedly).

That's really neat. I knew that clowns and anemone would be a long term commitment. I'll have to look at sizing and see if there is a type that will remain relatively small

12/15/2009, 10:42 PM	#1
pblogic Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 157	Stocking and Lighting advice please OK, so I've got most of my specs figured out at this point. 72G w/ 30 g sump and about 80lbs of rock I'm going to get a pair of percula clowns, a little burrowing jawfish and an anemone for the clowns. I really need to know what consideration I need for the anemone. I'm sure I'll want to add more to the tank eventually but these are the selections I want to build the reef on. Any special lighting needs for the anemone? I was thinking like a tek 4 bulb t5 setup (tank is about 21 inches deep) I also need a skimmer. The Reef octo 160 has been recommended and that's fine, it's just a bit expensive. Is there a skimmer that is of good quality that is maybe less expensive? Thanks for any input

12/16/2009, 12:12 AM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	The anemone will need good lighting. The Tek setup likely is fine. You'll want a unit with one reflector for each bulb. I'm not very knowledgeable about skimmers, but you might want to look for a used skimmer. That might save some money. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

12/16/2009, 04:59 PM	#7
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Small is a relative term. My RBTA was more than a foot across. I agree that many of the carpets can get far larger. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

12/16/2009, 05:12 PM	#8
sbreefer Afflicted Reefer Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Steamboat Colorado Posts: 490	I would go with a 6 lamp I run an octo pro 300 and love it __________________ mixed bare bottom reef Current Tank Info: SPS dominated 300g

12/16/2009, 05:25 AM	#3
Chiefsurfer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Seaside Park, NJ Posts: 2,138	just beware, all nems will move to be comfortable. Bubble tips will stay relatively small, while carpets can get HUGE and live forever. Just letting you know. Also, unless they are very comfortable where they are, they will move around and destroy anything in its path. GL

12/16/2009, 06:22 AM	#4
champ128 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: bloomfield, MI Posts: 65	With skimmers it is betterto spend the money now or be dissapointed later. The only cheap skimmer i ever liked was the coral life super skimmer. I think it outperfomed my bm 160.

12/16/2009, 05:29 PM	#9
pblogic Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 157	I guess by smaller I meant I don't intend it to dominate the entire tank. But I'll figure that out as I read about them. Thanks!

12/16/2009, 08:38 PM	#10
Chiefsurfer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Seaside Park, NJ Posts: 2,138	yeah, nems can grow quite big. I think you can deminish that some by feeding on the lighter side, but you don't want to starve. a LFS, near where my parents live, have "steve" the carpet anemone. He is in a 180 gallon tank, and is more than 4 ft in diameter, almost perfectly circular. "steve" is 22 years old, and been with it's clown host for all 22 years(supposedly).