I've started to plan out my spring project and decided to setup a tank in my new apartment.
My placement is only going to allow for a tank length up to 30"; so I'm thinking either 25G - 24"X12"X20" (the 20" height makes me wonder) or 29G - 30"X12"X18".
My decision will pretty much be made based upon my lighting choice. I've found a fixture that I'm liking but they only offer a 24" or 36" ... 24" - 380W: 250W HQI MH w/ 2X65W CF or the 36" - 442W: 250W HQI MH w/ 2X96W CF.
I'm not too worried about tank temps due to the lights; ambient room temp is low 70s right now and should be mid 70s come summer.
Should I just stick with the 25G tank and get the 24" light or try the 29G and get the 36" light? Would the 36" fixture matter compared to the 30" length since the fixture would be hung above the tank? Would the 30" tank be too long the MH bulb?
Any suggestions on buld temps for MH and CF bulbs? I'm looking for a blue tone, so I was thinking 14K MH and 10K / actinic for the CF. Or 14K MH and 2X actinics for the CFs. Any ideas on the lighting duration and phases?
My plans for the tank are SPS and a clam or two down the line, but obviously start with the easier to keep corals until later on when my tank is more established; maybe an anemone if possible. I kept SW before, but that was years ago so I'm considering myself to be starting fresh.
I plan on going with a shallow sand bed; live sand - 1" to 2" deep. With 30 to 40 lbs of live rock depending on the tank.
As for live stock; I'm not really sure yet. Something typical most likely - clown, goby, something something ... although a solo tang would be nice, but probably not realistic. I would like to try and keep the tank to an Indo-Pacific theme focusing on blue and red colors; but whatever.
I plan on usuing a AC101 HOB filter with carbon for mech filtration and running two Maxi-Jet pumps pushing flow to around 1400 to 2000 gph, too low for SPS? I also plan on a remora skimmer. Unfortunately I have no setup space right now to run a sump.
Any help is appreciated and any live stock ideas are welcome.
Thanks
My placement is only going to allow for a tank length up to 30"; so I'm thinking either 25G - 24"X12"X20" (the 20" height makes me wonder) or 29G - 30"X12"X18".
My decision will pretty much be made based upon my lighting choice. I've found a fixture that I'm liking but they only offer a 24" or 36" ... 24" - 380W: 250W HQI MH w/ 2X65W CF or the 36" - 442W: 250W HQI MH w/ 2X96W CF.
I'm not too worried about tank temps due to the lights; ambient room temp is low 70s right now and should be mid 70s come summer.
Should I just stick with the 25G tank and get the 24" light or try the 29G and get the 36" light? Would the 36" fixture matter compared to the 30" length since the fixture would be hung above the tank? Would the 30" tank be too long the MH bulb?
Any suggestions on buld temps for MH and CF bulbs? I'm looking for a blue tone, so I was thinking 14K MH and 10K / actinic for the CF. Or 14K MH and 2X actinics for the CFs. Any ideas on the lighting duration and phases?
My plans for the tank are SPS and a clam or two down the line, but obviously start with the easier to keep corals until later on when my tank is more established; maybe an anemone if possible. I kept SW before, but that was years ago so I'm considering myself to be starting fresh.
I plan on going with a shallow sand bed; live sand - 1" to 2" deep. With 30 to 40 lbs of live rock depending on the tank.
As for live stock; I'm not really sure yet. Something typical most likely - clown, goby, something something ... although a solo tang would be nice, but probably not realistic. I would like to try and keep the tank to an Indo-Pacific theme focusing on blue and red colors; but whatever.
I plan on usuing a AC101 HOB filter with carbon for mech filtration and running two Maxi-Jet pumps pushing flow to around 1400 to 2000 gph, too low for SPS? I also plan on a remora skimmer. Unfortunately I have no setup space right now to run a sump.
Any help is appreciated and any live stock ideas are welcome.
Thanks