50g SPS reef build

[The Reefer91]

also, i wouldn't get the 3000k bulb for T-5. it has alot of red spectrum in it and you don't want that. i would get a 10,000k aquablue plus, or something like that. the lowest i'd go is 6500k.

[Flint&Eric]

i'd take your post to the respective forum as i see plenty of misinformation here...

jmo.

eric

[salty child 79]

Eric, I have a post in the SPS forum about the lights, but don't seem to get too many responses.

Plus....these are just suggestions, I know a pretty good amount about most of this stuff but was just looking at opinions and different ways of doing things. Plus this is a good way to track my progress and share pics of my tank in progress.

What would you do with the equipment that I listed. Please let me know, that is why I am asking all of these questions. I look forward to your opinion

[salty child 79]

bump

Anyone have anymore suggestions on my protein skimmer or my return/CL pump.

[salty child 79]

Got the tank today......I would put a picture up but the first one is about the same thing.

Thanks for everything Darren (dgill) and I can't wait to get it set up. I am going on tuesday to a LFS to get the holes drilled.

[Chrisrush]

I'm setting up a similar 50 gallon tank and I'm thinking about the tunze 9010. Not sure on the lights since I'm going with MH.

[salty child 79]

Nice...I like the tunze, because of its small footprint.

I was also wondering if anyone has had problems with a SCWD. I will only have 2 returns from my CL and was thinking of going with this, but I do not want any extra noise coming from it.

[salty child 79]

I just picked up an LE War Coral bigger than a half-dollar and 2 nice frags of Micromussa for the new tank, even though its not setup yet!

I will get pics up soon.

[dgill]

Tagging along, look forward to updates on the progress and we will defintely need PICS!

[Leopard Man]

I got a rimless 56g 40x18x18 with:

21g sump
Deltec AP600
400w MH w/ 2x24w T5 actinics elevated 14" off the water
Tunze 6100 w/ 7091 controller
Teco Tr15 chiller
Sedra 2500 for return

[salty child 79]

Holes are drilled. will try to get pics up later tonight.

The drain, return, and CL intake are in the back right corner. The returns for the CL are at the middle left and middle right of the tank. They will be pointed in opposite directions at the rock structure, and will themselves be covered by rocks to make 2 little islands.

[Chrisrush]

I might go with t5s now. You decide?

[salty child 79]

Yes I have decided. While the T-5's would be awesome and would probably be a great experience, the cost doesnt really do it for me. And I know what your thinking..."you save money on your power bill!" Well I really don't, I will be living at home for another year and do not pay the electric bill, so it doesn't matter. I really wanted the SunPower fixture, and might still get it when it comes out, but for now, I got a great deal on some halides. Here is what I got.

-2x250w Icecap electronic ballasts.
-2x PFO pendants
-2x Ushio 20k (2-3 months old)
----------$325 (from an RC sale)


Here is my reasoning.......

Although the reflectors are not lumenarc/max reflectors, it really doesn't matter. I have a 34x17x17 tank(new dims...will explain next) so with 2x250's, each reflector only needs to cover a 17x17 area.

A standard halide reflector usually covers a 24x24 area......mine only need to cover 3/4's of that.....so I should be fine.

I know that the 20k's have low par, but i really dont need very much. The lowest acro will be 10" from the waters surface. And will be no more than 5" from the left or right of either pendant.

I have taken the true dimensions of the tank and they are 34.5x17x17......which is around 43 gallons. SO it is now my 43g reef.

I have also narrowed my skimmer choice, and plan on going with a ER RS-80. It should be more than able to handle my 43g tank, with a medium bioload.

Let me know what you all think!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Chrisrush]

Sounds like a good deal. I was going to do that. Those PFO pendants are good as well. Have you plugged in the ballast/bulbs on sanjay's website to see what the PAR #'s are?

I have no personal experience with Euroreef, but I don't think that you can go wrong with them.

[salty child 79]

Sanjay has not tested the bulb yet. But it can't be any worse than the 250w DE XM 20k.

I will hopefully get my SDcard back from a friend tomorrow, so I will be able to snap some pics and get them up here.

It sucks not having pics to show you guys my progress.

[salty child 79]

[salty child 79]

Here are a few pics to get things going.

[salty child 79]

By the way nothing is glued in, and NO the pipes in the back are not that small. Its just some extra PVC to help show the hole layout.

[salty child 79]

Here are some of the corals that I picked up a few days ago. I bought them for the new tank, but they are in the current tank until the new one gets set up.

The reason for getting them is #1.....they were a steal, #2.........they are NICE and small.




Favites Pentagona





Small 5 polyp micro






Small 10-12 polyp micro

[salty child 79]

Just an update. Got an OR 2500 for a return pump. And an OR 6500 for a CL pump.

Will get some pics up tonight

[todd rose]

looking good!

[salty child 79]

Here are some more pics of the tank.

Picture of where I dremeled the hole in the side of the stand







Pic of the 45 degree PVC fitting that will be going in the drain line bulkhead




Pic of where the drain line will be





Pictures of where all of the in-tank plumbing will be.

[salty child 79]

Here it is......all set-up. Description is in my signature. I have also added a phosban reactor, for GFO and Carbon.

I transfered everything over today, so we will see how it goes. I will post pics later tonight of the corals in the tank, I just have to get them on photobucket.

I still have to get a refugium light and another powerhead.

LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!!

[edwing206]

Looks like a great start! I like the light fixtures.

[salty child 79]

Thanks.

Here is a FTS with the corals in the tank, just got it uploaded.