helping my brother start a 20 long

[Kengaroo131]

i'v never done a 20 long before. can you guys lead me in the right derection for equipment we wants a few corals an anemone 2 clowns and maby a goby or 2 what kind of light do you think we should run for somthing like that i was thinking maby a 94 watt PC or a MH. please make recomendations thanks!

[stevelkaneval]

I have a 20 long and as soon as i get my money that uncle sam's been borrowing im getting a dual 150 watt mh, a new skimmer, and a sump. you will definatly need high wattage for a nem. the 150 should do it.

[saltyshoe_nano]

I agree with steve on this one are you wanting to runnig a sump? and can you specify the "few corals" ?

[Jarob]

well the 94w PC and the MH are on COMPLETLY different lighting levels, you go from either the worst lighting or the best lighting.. i say go with the best, MH. If you plan to keep an anenome you will need strong lighting. A T5 fixture could work as long as it is quality stuff, no knock offs with T5's, or you could go the MH route which better IMO.

[phenom5]

I've got to echo what's already been said. I'd looking into a 150 HQI.

[Phong33]

I'd say go with the T5 route. 4x24w T5 over that would work perfectly. Get quaility ones with individual reflectors.

[Stirfry001]

The 150w Sunpod is a pretty good light. You will have a little more heat than the T5's though. If you can do a MH with some actinics then you would be rockin 'n rollin

http://www.amazon.com/Sunpod-1x150w-.../dp/B000NKAYA8

(the link is just for the pic, I wouldn't pay their price!)

[Kengaroo131]

ok thanks guys how do you drill tanks out i never did that ether we are probably going to do a sump with a coast to coast over flow.

[Stirfry001]

First and most Important, make sure it's not tempered glass! It should have a sticker on it. Most likely it isn't but a lot of places use it for the bottom and sometimes the sides. Buy a Diamond tip glass drill off ebay or at home depot. The best way I have done it is to have a garden hose running water over the bit as you drill. Don't press too hard and it should cut through rather easy. Where are you drilling? Side or the bottom? You could always do a HOB overflow.

[phenom5]

First and most Important, make sure it's not tempered glass! It should have a sticker on it. Most likely it isn't but a lot of places use it for the bottom and sometimes the sides. Buy a Diamond tip glass drill off ebay or at home depot. The best way I have done it is to have a garden hose running water over the bit as you drill. Don't press too hard and it should cut through rather easy. Where are you drilling? Side or the bottom? You could always do a HOB overflow.

Or you could have a glass shop do it. $25 per hole at one shop near me. Works out to be about the same cost when you look at the cost of a diamond tip drill bit.

[Kengaroo131]

we will be drilling the back of it why is there an easyer way?

[Stirfry001]

Well, easier than drilling would be to put on an overflow box. It just doesn't look as good having it hanging off the back.

[Kengaroo131]

how do they work?

[Stirfry001]

Here are a couple great articles on how sumps work. The first link shows regular overflows and then towards the bottom there are some HOB's. Second link shows an animation with a lot of good info.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-01/gt/index.php

http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html

[saltyshoe_nano]

you could always go for a glass place, they will drill the holes and if they are good people like the one near me if the mess up/break it they wont charge and some times even pay for the tank...around here its only 15 per hole...I would call a few places or try on a cheap 10 gal first if you drill yourself.... JMHO

[Kengaroo131]

i was thinking of that but i was thinking it was going to be expensive.

[phenom5]

I just looked on eBay...you can get diamond bits a lot cheaper than I remember...nvm about the glass shop.