Few quick lighting and filter question

Jamos5790 · 08/14/2012, 06:27 AM

Yup im new here!! been out of the hobby for awhile and im coming back but wantot make sure i do it right so here is a few questions i have.

Ok I'm picking up the70 gal tomorrow,now it is 24 in deep(from top to bottom) and only has PC lights and I'm wanting to setup a reef so I was thinking of going mh and maybe even keeping the PCs that are there now with MH.

My question is how many mh do I need can 1 work our will I have to have 2?

Also it had a wet dry filter, are they ok for reef or should I change it to a fuge/sump and can that even be done if that's what I need to do?

bnumair · 08/14/2012, 07:09 AM

2 for the spread if its a long tank.

pugbreath13 · 08/14/2012, 07:33 AM

I had one 250W MH in a Lumenarc reflector over my 70 gallon 36" wide and it covered fine. I did switch it out for a 6 bulb T5 fixture just because i wanted more options in bulb color. My coral growth did improve with the T5s.

Jamos5790 · 08/14/2012, 01:39 PM

Ok thanks I changed my mind and I'm gonna go with a55 gal rr tank and it is 48lx18hx12d. If igo t5 how many do I need?

zoafarm · 08/14/2012, 01:53 PM

I would recommend a minimum of four t5s. Six would be better.

Jamos5790 · 08/15/2012, 08:54 AM

Ok thanks I went with a rr 55 gallon so the tank is a little shallower. They were using 4 PCs but I think I might change to t5 ho. Right now I need a good skimmer.

08/14/2012, 06:27 AM	#1
Jamos5790 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 7	Few quick lighting and filter question Yup im new here!! been out of the hobby for awhile and im coming back but wantot make sure i do it right so here is a few questions i have. Ok I'm picking up the70 gal tomorrow,now it is 24 in deep(from top to bottom) and only has PC lights and I'm wanting to setup a reef so I was thinking of going mh and maybe even keeping the PCs that are there now with MH. My question is how many mh do I need can 1 work our will I have to have 2? Also it had a wet dry filter, are they ok for reef or should I change it to a fuge/sump and can that even be done if that's what I need to do?

08/14/2012, 07:09 AM	#2
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	2 for the spread if its a long tank. __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

08/14/2012, 07:33 AM	#3
pugbreath13 Moved On Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: The former United States Posts: 466	I had one 250W MH in a Lumenarc reflector over my 70 gallon 36" wide and it covered fine. I did switch it out for a 6 bulb T5 fixture just because i wanted more options in bulb color. My coral growth did improve with the T5s.

08/14/2012, 01:39 PM	#4
Jamos5790 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 7	Ok thanks I changed my mind and I'm gonna go with a55 gal rr tank and it is 48lx18hx12d. If igo t5 how many do I need?

08/14/2012, 01:53 PM	#5
zoafarm Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 306	I would recommend a minimum of four t5s. Six would be better.

08/15/2012, 08:54 AM	#6
Jamos5790 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 7	Ok thanks I went with a rr 55 gallon so the tank is a little shallower. They were using 4 PCs but I think I might change to t5 ho. Right now I need a good skimmer.